A World First: H₂ Global Group Combines Molecular Hydrogen and Virtual Reality for Groundbreaking Therapy

The Ostrava-based company H₂ Global Group is introducing a pioneering innovation that unites the regenerative power of Molecular Hydrogen® with the immersive capabilities of virtual reality.

“The principle is surprisingly simple,” explains David Maršálek, President of H₂ Global Group. “Inhaling molecular hydrogen amplifies the effects of brain-focused therapies conducted within a virtual environment.” This cutting-edge development, now registered as a Czech patent, opens a new chapter in the field of integrative health technology.

Virtual Scenarios That Heal

During therapy, patients are immersed in realistic virtual situations to which the brain responds as if they were real. This immersive experience enhances rehabilitation, helps reduce anxiety and psychological disorders, and can even boost cognitive performance. “The addition of molecular hydrogen significantly intensifies the therapeutic effect,” adds Maršálek.

While virtual reality (VR) is widely associated with gaming or simulated adventures, it has become a vital tool in modern healthcare. The integration of VR with hydrogen inhalation is a global first. As the hydrogen gas enters the bloodstream via the lungs, it is distributed throughout the body—combining with movement to create a powerful therapy suitable for various medical disciplines.

“When immersed in the virtual world, a person focuses entirely on the experience, distancing themselves from external stimuli and entering a space that actively supports healing,” explains VR specialist Dr Jana Trdá.

A World Patent: Virtual Reality Meets Molecular Hydrogen

“Numerous Czech and international studies have confirmed hydrogen’s ability to restore cellular balance disrupted by oxidative stress. It effectively neutralises harmful free radicals,” says David Maršálek.

“The combination of medical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and molecular hydrogen benefits both patients and practitioners. We’ve applied for a Czech patent for this unique therapeutic approach, which we plan to expand globally.”

In collaboration with H₂ Medical Technologies, VR Life has developed a module focused specifically on hydrogen inhalation, compatible with their hydrogen inhalators and generators.

“Studies have shown hydrogen’s positive impact on performance, endurance, and post-exercise recovery,” adds Professor Shigeo Ohta, Vice President for Science and Research at H₂ Global Group. “Inhaled hydrogen from our generators also accelerates regeneration, for example after post-COVID fatigue, and is effective against numerous conditions due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has shown promising results in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The combination of hydrogen and VR is certain to bring extraordinary results.”

A Victorian Greenhouse or a Hydrogen-Powered Tent?

Hydrogen VR therapy can be conducted sitting or standing. At the request of H₂ Medical, VR Life designed a bespoke environment in the form of a virtual Victorian greenhouse filled with flowers and soothing nature sounds, simulating warm, humid air.

“The patient sees animated lungs expanding and contracting with each breath, encouraging coordinated breathing and effective inhalation of hydrogen,” says Dr Trdá. Seated patients use nasal cannulas for hydrogen inhalation while immersed in this calming visual experience.

“For standing exercises, we developed a hydrogen tent that is enclosed and filled with hydrogen-enriched air, allowing users to move freely during VR therapy,” she explains.

Gamified Healing

A major strength of VR therapy lies in its gamification elements. “We apply game-like mechanics to motivate patients during rehabilitation,” explains Dr Trdá.

Each exercise is designed and validated by a team of doctors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, ensuring both effectiveness and medical accuracy.

“Patients generally feel more comfortable and are willing to train longer when using VR. We receive videos from clients showing clear progress—like a patient with a shoulder injury struggling to raise their arm during conventional exercise, yet lifting it much higher during VR therapy without even realising it.”

VR therapy has already been shown to support recovery after spinal injuries, surgeries, or strokes. It is also used in psychotherapy for treating phobias, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. VR is proving to be a powerful tool in therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The World’s First VR Hydrogen Park

“Combining virtual reality with molecular hydrogen in healthcare inspired us to create the world’s first H₂ VR Park in Ostrava,” says David Maršálek.

“This will be a place for relaxation and enjoyment for children, adults, and seniors alike. Thanks to virtual reality, visitors will be able to ‘travel’ to the sea, mountains, or even experience skydiving—fulfilling dreams that might otherwise remain out of reach. All of this in one place, safely, and with the added benefits of molecular hydrogen.”

Thanks to the generous support of a local Ostrava investor, H₂ VR Park Ostrava will welcome its first visitors in September 2023. Following the innovative H₂ Bike, the H₂ VR Park is another world-class project based in H₂ City, symbolising Czech innovation on a global scale.

Molecular HydroGEN Investment Group, a subsidiary of the H2 Global Group, has invested CZK 15 million in VR LIFE, acquiring a 20% equity stake in the Czech company known for its cutting-edge medical virtual reality product, VR Vitalis. This strategic partnership follows the recent registration of a joint Czech patent and utility model for the world’s first therapy combining molecular hydrogen inhalation with immersive virtual reality.

“When I first met Dr Jana Trdá to present the idea of combining VR with hydrogen therapy, I didn’t expect rejection—in fact, I knew she was the one person in the Czech Republic with the expertise and vision to make it a reality,” recalls David Maršálek, President of H2 Global Group, of the collaboration’s beginnings in November 2022.
“Thanks to our patent expert, we successfully registered the patent and utility model by the end of June. This bridge investment is a natural next step, reflecting the strong synergy and proven results of our cooperation.”

Through its investment, H2 Global Group is supporting VR LIFE in further developing therapeutic VR environments and applications for rehabilitation, cognitive training, and mental health support.

“We see enormous potential in the combination of virtual reality and hydrogen,” says Květoslav Chytil, Vice President of Investments at H2 Global Group and now a supervisory board member at VR LIFE.
“Like H2 Global Group, VR LIFE is highly innovative. This partnership positions us at the heart of the company’s growth, with strong potential for return on investment.”

VR LIFE’s valuation has skyrocketed from CZK 10 million in 2022 to CZK 75 million in just six months.

“Our partnership is not just about product development—it’s about accelerating global market entry,” adds Martin Frais, Director of Molecular HydroGEN Investment Group. “We’re also seeing growing interest from investors keen to be part of this unique opportunity in the evolving field of health-tech.”

A Therapy Like No Other: VR + Molecular Hydrogen

The partnership is rooted in a patented therapy that combines exercise in virtual reality with 99.9% pure hydrogen inhalation. Hydrogen is delivered through a nasal cannula using generators from H2 Medical Technologies, a member of H2 Global Group.

“Inhaled molecular hydrogen significantly speeds up recovery from conditions like post-COVID syndrome and chronic inflammation,” explains Professor Shigeo Ohta, world-renowned Japanese scientist and Vice President for Science and Research at H2 Global Group.
“Hydrogen’s benefits in treating Alzheimer’s—where H2 Global Group also holds a patent—highlight the vast potential of this therapeutic pairing.”

Patients are immersed in a virtual Victorian greenhouse, designed to evoke the feeling of warm, moist air. As they follow visual cues—such as animated lungs that expand and contract—they synchronise their breathing, optimising hydrogen absorption.

“For standing therapy, we’ve introduced a hydrogen-filled tent that allows freedom of movement within the VR environment,” says David Maršálek. “We’re also preparing to launch home-based physical, rehabilitation and breathing exercises using this method.”
— Jana Trdá, PhD, CEO of VR LIFE

VR as a Pathway to Health

In the VR environment, patients enter a fully immersive world, distancing themselves from external distractions. They follow guided exercises designed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists, who also validate the therapeutic protocols.

VR Vitalis and its professional medical version, VR Vitalis Pro, are certified for use across the European Union. These tools support cognitive development, mobility, breathing, relaxation, and postural correction.

Already adopted by major institutions—Lázně Darkov, University Hospital Ostrava, Škoda Auto, and memory centres—the technology is proving effective both in therapy and employee well-being programmes.

“Since 2020, a multidisciplinary team from the Faculty of Medicine at Ostrava University and University Hospital Ostrava has developed VR modules for patients with nervous system and motor impairments,” explains Assoc. Prof. MUDr. Michal Filip, Ph.D., MBA, Head of the Centre for AI, VR and Telemedicine at the Faculty of Medicine, OSU, and neurosurgeon at Tomáš Baťa Regional Hospital in Zlín.
“Nationally supported projects confirm the potential of VR as a complementary therapy for patients of all ages.”

The initiative is backed by the Czech Technology Agency, CzechTrade, Vodafone Foundation, and other organisations. Meanwhile, VR LIFE is also developing Awake, a promising application for use in awake neurosurgical procedures.