The UK's first dedicated hydrogen therapy centre, Suhaku Space, opened in South Kensington in 2023, offering sessions from £40. Founder Atsue Morinaga aims to bring the treatment to a wider UK audience.
Suhaku Space, located on the second floor of a converted house in South Kensington, offers hydrogen therapy sessions. The centre's design, with clean lines and hi-tech minimalism, feels fresh out of Japan, reflecting its origins.
What to Expect at Suhaku Space
A typical session includes a glass of complimentary hydrogen-infused water, a capillary analysis involving a powerful microscope to examine blood vessels, a 30-minute massage, and 15 minutes on a therapy bed with goggles and nasal tubes.
Hydrogen (H2) is the smallest molecule in the universe. Its tiny size allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier and cell membranes with ease, making it an intriguing subject for researchers investigating its potential effects in the human body.
The Science Behind Hydrogen Therapy
A 2007 study published in Nature Medicine, led by Dr Shigeo Ohta, found that molecular hydrogen could selectively reduce certain harmful "free radicals," leaving healthy ones intact. These findings helped fuel interest in hydrogen therapy, particularly in Japan.
Free radicals are molecules produced naturally every time the body converts food into energy. Questionable lifestyle choices, like smoking, drinking or eating too many potato chips, can increase their production. When they accumulate, they can damage cells, contributing to accelerated ageing and disease. Yet clinical trials have revealed that wiping out all free radicals harms rather than improves our health: some play important roles in fighting infections and signalling cell repair.
Founder's Mission and UK Expansion
Atsue Morinaga, the physiotherapist, acupuncturist and wellness expert who founded Suhaku, believes that the treatment has considerable potential. Clients report feeling calmer, clearer and more refreshed after sessions. She also believes hydrogen can support the body's ability to regulate its immune system, "leading to better bodily functions at every level."
Japan has remained at the forefront of research, where hydrogen inhalation therapy is popular as a non-invasive approach to supporting healthy ageing, recovery and overall wellbeing, although the evidence for its benefits in humans is an evolving area of research. Morinaga hopes to bring the treatment to a wider audience in the UK.
"During the Covid pandemic," she says, "I witnessed some remarkable cases following hydrogen inhalation therapy, including individuals who recovered from severe injuries. These experiences convinced me that hydrogen therapy has the potential to help many more people, and it became my mission to make it available in the UK."
The benefits of hydrogen therapy are scientifically supported, even if early-stage. Sessions start from £40, and more information is available at suhaku.com.
