Nitrous oxide inhalation treatment is quite similar to ketamine treatment, and may be a good alternative for some patients to treat their depression or anxiety.
Nitrous oxide is an anesthetic medication also known as laughing gas. You may have encountered it in a setting such as the dentist’s office.
One of the most common ways that patients find out about nitrous oxide treatment is through a visit to the dentist. After anesthesia, they experience such great relief from their anxiety or depression that begin to investigate the cause — and find nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is an antidepressant
Like ketamine, nitrous oxide is an NMDA receptor antagonist.
Many anesthetic agents that have been used commonly around the world for anesthesia for decades have been found to be antidepressants. It’s only in the last 20-30 years that we’ve discovered that the NMDA receptor is important for mental health and that blocking it, whether with ketamine or nitrous oxide, can be beneficial for treating depression and anxiety.
There have been hundreds of studies on ketamine treatment for depression, OCD, PTSD, anxiety, and other conditions over the last 20 years. Far fewer studies have been conducted on nitrous oxide, but the data in these studies is solid and show promising results, even after only one treatment.
The inhalation mixture matters
Treatment involves one hour of inhaling a 50:50 mixture of nitrous oxide and pure oxygen, followed by 10 minutes of pure oxygen.
We strongly recommend only using nitrous oxide under the guidance of a medical provider while being monitored, as it is very important to get the correct mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Simply inhaling nitrous oxide and the ordinary air does not provide enough oxygen to live on — it must be nitrous oxide and oxygen. It is similarly important to have a period of inhalaing pure oxygen at the end of treatment.
As an anesthetic, nitrous oxide has been studied intensively and, in the proper setting, it is a very safe medication.
Ketamine VS nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide treatment has a very similar feeling and experience to ketamine, although less intense. It is generally a very light, floaty, bubbly experience.
While the experience of ketamine wears off very quickly after an infusion is paused or completed, the experience of nitrous oxide diminishes within only a breath or two after the mask has been removed. For patients who have more anxiety about the journey space, or who want to have a little more control over the experience by choosing to exit very quickly, nitrous oxide is a great treatment option.
Nausea is the most common side effect of nitrous oxdie treatment. We offer anti-nausea medications that can be used to help treat this. Patients may also experience a bit of a headache after treatment, although this is sometimes common with the first treatment or two of ketamine as well.
Just as with ketamine treatment, we suggest that patients bring music to listen to, a cozy blanket, and an eye mask or to dim the lights to help with the journey.
Patients generally start with 1-2 nitrous oxide inhalation treatments close together, and can immediately move to a maintenance schedule of 1 treatment every 3-5 weeks.
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.
