Laughing Gas Studied as Depression Treatment

Researchers have published a study in the journal Biological Psychiatry, reporting a successful attempt at treating depression using nitrous oxide. Researchers administered both standard doses of nitrous oxide and a placebo gas to 20 participants with treatment-resistant depression, who then were screened for severity of symptoms two hours after treatment, with a follow-up screening the next day. Two-thirds of those treated with nitrous oxide reported relieved symptoms, in some anecdotal cases this effect lasted over a week. Comparatively, one-third of those given the placebo gas reported improved symptoms. “Although some patients also reported feeling better after breathing the placebo gas, it was clear that the overall pattern observed was that nitrous oxide improved depression above and beyond the placebo. Most patients who improved reported that they felt better only two hours after treatment with nitrous oxide. That compares with at least two weeks for typical oral antidepressants to exert their beneficial, antidepressant effects,” said the lead researcher. To learn more about this study, click here.