Work

Sustained remission of treatment-resistant depression following two inhalations of nitrous oxide: A case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Nitrous oxide (N2O, laughing gas) is a colorless gas commonly used as an anesthetic and analgesic, delivered in an oxygen mixture to prevent hypoxia, with concentrations up to 70 % considered as safe (Knuf and Maani, 2024). Recently, N2O has gained significant attention in psychiatry as a promising new treatment for patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Rapid antidepressant effects similar to ketamine have been reported, although more research is still needed in particular in regard to the long-term efficacy of N2O (e.g., Kronenberg et al., 2024). This report presents the case of a 65-year-old woman with generalized anxiety disorder and chronic major depression, who underwent two 30 min N2O treatment sessions. Following treatment, she achieved remission and reported sustained well-being without signs of depression or anxiety at a three-month follow-up.

Source: Psychiatry Research Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.psycr.2025.100261

Authors: Barbora Provaznikova, Sebastian Olbrich, Erich Seifritz, MaximilianDominik Haas, Golo Kronenberg

Institutions: University Hospital Zurich, Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik Zürich

Language: English

Topic: Treatment of Major Depression

Subfield: Pharmacology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $950