Nitrous Oxide in Treatment Resistant Major Depression: Should We Laugh About It?
European psychiatry June 1, 2022 B. Leal, D. Vila-Chã, S. Garcia et al.
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, shows promise as a treatment for treatment-resistant major depression. At least two randomized clinical trials since 2018 have demonstrated that a single one-hour inhalation of nitrous oxide produces considerable antidepressant effects that last at least two weeks. A more recent study comparing 25% and 50% concentrations found that the lower dose offers similar efficacy with fewer adverse effects. While these results are encouraging, further research is needed, including comparisons with other established treatments for treatment-resistant depression.