Hydrogen Water Reduces Withdrawal Symptoms in Opioid-Dependent Mice
Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates anxiety-like behaviors in morphine-withdrawn mice
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Endocrine 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, Peng Zhao, Rongji Hui, Jian Wang, Qianchao Shen, Miao Gong, Hongyan Guo, Bin Cong, Chunling Ma
- Journal
- Neuropharmacology
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28359771
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 20 μg/kg hydrogen-rich saline (i.p.) injections; three injections in naloxone-precipitated withdrawal procedure, or every 8-h during spontaneous withdrawal
- H₂ concentration
- 20 μg/kg
- Duration
- 2 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 23 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline may help reduce withdrawal symptoms and anxiety in mice addicted to morphine without causing any movement problems.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced physical withdrawal symptoms (weight loss, jumping, involuntary shaking) and anxiety-like behaviors in morphine-withdrawn mice, while lowering stress hormone levels.
Summary
Researchers gave mice morphine to create withdrawal symptoms, then treated some with hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) while others received standard treatment. Mice receiving hydrogen-rich saline showed fewer withdrawal symptoms like weight loss and involuntary movements, and displayed less anxiety-like behavior in behavioral tests. The hydrogen-treated mice also had lower levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen may help reduce anxiety during opioid withdrawal, but it was conducted only in mice and does not yet indicate how or whether this would work in humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any conclusions about therapeutic use could be drawn.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen therapy is a new medical approach for a wide range of diseases. The effects of hydrogen on central nervous system-related diseases have recently become increasingly appreciated, but little is known about whether hydrogen affects the morphine withdrawal process. This study aims…