Why nitrous oxide?

Why Nitrous Oxide? | An Alternate Treatment For Anxiety And Depression

Nitrous oxide inhalation treatment may be a good alternative to ketamine treatment for anxiety and depression. These distinctions may help you decide.

Nitrous oxide inhalation treatments

Nitrous oxide is an NMDA receptor antagonist, it creates a ‘journey’ during treatment, it appears to work in a similar way to ketamine, and it may be useful for treatment-resistant depression and anxiety.

Clinical use of nitrous oxide inhalation treatments for mental health is pretty rare, although it has been studied for more than a decade. The research is limited but promising and supports what we know about the way nitrous oxide works. The data from research, and our clinical experience, appear to show that nitrous oxide treatments are effective for addressing treatment-resistant depression.

Many patients discover nitrous oxide after going to a dentist for a procedure and feeling significant relief from their symptoms of depression and anxiety that persists after the procedure. Others come to nitrous oxide because they are interested in ketamine treatments but prefer some aspects of the nitrous treatments.

Nitrous oxide vs ketamine

Ketamine and nitrous oxide each have distinct experiential components that may be described as a ‘journey’ or ‘trip.’ However, the feelings of these journeys are a little different. They are often described as:

Ketamine Infusions

  • Slideshow
  • Visual
  • Spacious

Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Therapy

  • Floaty
  • Dream-like

The protocols for treatment scheduling also differs. We generally start with:

Ketamine Infusions

  • 6 initial infusions
  • Monthly maintenance treatments

Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Therapy

  • 2 initial treatments
  • Monthly maintenance treatments

Who is a good fit for nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide inhalation treatments are not as well studied as IV ketamine infusions, and they have some of their own downsides and risks, but they may be a better option for some patients. The reasons you might prefer nitrous oxide include:

  • Nearly instantaneous recovery time from side effects: Effects fade after about two breaths when the mask is removed
  • Ability to resume normal activities immediately following a treatment
  • No driving restrictions: You are able to drive home after treatment
  • No need for IV access or other needles
  • A ‘lighter’ journey / experience

About Us

Wells Medicine is a Houston-based practice designed to provide meaningful care for mental health. Providing targeted interventional treatments for Depression, Anxiety, OCD, PTSD and other conditions, with Ketamine Treatments, Stellate Ganglion Blocks, TMS, and Nitrous-Oxide Treatments. Focused on comprehensive care and integration with Psychiatry, Psychology, and Support Services. We are evidence-based, patient-focused and mission-driven.

The content here is for informational purposes and should not be relied upon for medical decisions. For the details of your specific medical conditions and treatments consult your doctors or other qualified healthcare professionals.

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