Molecular hydrogen is a gas. It is made of two hydrogen atoms. These atoms are bonded together with a nonpolar covalent bond, which means it is very stable. Hydrogen gas, in concentrations between about 5% and 78%, is highly explosive. However, the atmosphere contains only very small amounts of molecular hydrogen, only about 0.00005%. In comparison, the atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen gas and 75% nitrogen gas. Additionally, when hydrogen gas is dissolved in water, it is not explosive, similar to gunpowder being dissolved in water. It cannot explode in that environment.

What exactly is molecular hydrogen?

Molecular hydrogen is simply two hydrogen atoms bonded together to form hydrogen gas. It has the chemical structure of H-H with a simple chemical formula of “H2”. Although in nature, hydrogen atoms are often found bonded to other atoms, such as oxygen, to form water (H2O), or to carbon to form methane (CH4), for therapeutic benefit, we specifically need the H2 molecule (H2 gas). Additionally, to avoid any confusion, it is also important that we distinguish between pH and H2; they are completely different. The term pH has reference to the concentration of positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, which is totally different from H2 gas. Indeed molecular hydrogen has no influence on pH, and has no reference to alkaline water. Furthermore, when H2 gas is dissolved in water, it does not alter water chemistry/properties (e.g. does not form H4O), but is simply H2 gas that is dissolved into water.