Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) inhalation as an alternative to electroconvulsive therapy.
Medical hypotheses May 1, 2010 Brian Milne
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is widely used for psychiatric conditions but has side effects including memory loss, injury, arrhythmias, and risks from anesthesia. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is proposed as a potential substitute because it shares some effects with ECT: it induces laughter (described as nature's epileptoid catharsis), produces central sympathetic stimulation, releases endogenous opioid peptides that may have antidepressant properties, and can trigger seizure-like activity. The author argues that nitrous oxide is relatively safe, easy to administer, and could be given in a series of treatments similar to ECT, making it a feasible alternative.