If you’ve ever had a serious dental procedure, you’re probably familiar with laughing gas. According to a recent MedicalXpress article, nitrous oxide gas may have another medical use in treating depression. A new study conducted by University of Chicago Medicine and WashU found that a single inhalation session with 25% nitrous oxide gas was roughly as effective as 50% nitrous oxide when it comes to relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression.
The team behind the study also found that the gas treatment worked with fewer adverse side effects, and the positive side effects lasted up to two weeks. These findings suggest nitrous oxide gas could be a viable rapid and effective treatment for those suffering from depression, but don’t necessarily respond to other treatments such as SSRIs.
