Laughing gas may relieve symptoms of depression!

Nagele et al. (2021) examined the effects of inhaled nitrous oxide gas, or ‘laughing gas’, on a small sample of patients with severe treatment resistant depression. A 25% nitrous oxide treatment, was compared to the clinically standard 50% nitrous oxide treatment, and a placebo treatment of oxygen and room air. Participants tested each of the three treatments one month apart, and it was discovered that the 25% nitrous oxide concentration improved depression symptoms over the placebo treatment and had similar efficacy to the standard 50% nitrous oxide concentration. Moreover, the 25% concentration treatment appeared to be advantageous over the 50% concentration as the lower dose was associated with significantly fewer side effects. Despite the small sample, this study shows a promising approach for treatment resistant depression, which Nagele et al. (2021) hopes can act as the framework for a larger examination (Nagele et al., 2021).

Read the article here: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210609143446.htm