Hydrogen Water Protects Brain from Methamphetamine Damage in Mice
Effects of Molecular Hydrogen on Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity and Spatial Memory Impairment
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Di Wen, Rongji Hui, Jian Wang, Xi Shen, Bing Xie, Miao Gong, Feng Yu, Bin Cong, Chunling Ma
- Journal
- Frontiers in Pharmacology
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 31396089
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich water ad libitum for 7 days
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 34 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help protect the brain from damage and memory problems caused by methamphetamine use.
Key Finding
In mice exposed to methamphetamine, drinking hydrogen-rich water for 7 days significantly improved spatial memory performance and reduced neuronal damage and inflammatory markers in the hippocampus.
Summary
Researchers gave mice methamphetamine to damage their brains and impair their memory, then provided some mice with hydrogen-rich water to drink for a week. The mice that drank hydrogen-rich water showed better memory performance and less brain damage in the hippocampus (a memory-related brain region) compared to mice that drank regular water. The hydrogen also reduced markers of cell death and inflammation in the brain.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich water may have protective effects against methamphetamine-induced brain damage. However, results from mouse studies do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have been conducted. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn about hydrogen water's potential benefits for people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive stimulant, and METH exposure can induce irreversible neuronal damage and cause neuropsychiatric and cognitive disorders. The ever-increasing levels of METH abuse worldwide have necessitated the identification of effective intervention strategies…