Use of nitrous oxide in the treatment of major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis nitrous oxide in depressive disorders.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry February 8, 2024 Peterson Rech, Rodrigo Miranda Custodio, Maria Laura Rodrigues Uggioni et al.
Nitrous oxide (N2O) shows a rapid therapeutic effect in patients with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials, including 23 patients with MDD and 86 with TRD, found a large reduction in depression severity (HDRS score) at 24 hours (standardized mean difference -2.36) and a smaller but still significant reduction after one week (SMD -0.60). The evidence suggests N2O may be a fast-acting option for managing decompensated patients, particularly those who do not respond to conventional antidepressants, though more research is needed to determine how long the effect lasts.