Hydrogen Water Protects Brain After Traumatic Injury in Mice
Molecular hydrogen in drinking water protects against neurodegenerative changes induced by traumatic brain injury
Research hubs: Parkinson's Disease · 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
- Kenji Dohi, Brian C. Kraemer, Michelle A. Erickson, Pamela J. McMillan, Andrej Kovac, Zuzana Flachbartova, Kim M. Hansen, Gul N. Shah, Nader Sheibani, Therese Salameh, William A. Banks
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2014
- PMID
- 25251220
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- molecular hydrogen water (mHW) in drinking water
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 60 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- United States
TL;DR
Drinking water infused with molecular hydrogen can significantly reduce brain damage and improve recovery after a traumatic brain injury.
Key Finding
In mice with traumatic brain injury, drinking water containing molecular hydrogen reduced brain swelling by approximately 50% and completely blocked the expression of pathological tau protein, a hallmark of neurodegeneration.
Summary
This mouse study tested whether drinking water containing molecular hydrogen (a gas with antioxidant properties) could protect the brain after traumatic injury. Researchers induced controlled brain injuries in mice and gave some of them hydrogen-enriched water to drink. The hydrogen water reduced brain swelling by about half, prevented harmful changes to a protein called tau, and restored several other molecular markers of brain damage that normally increase after injury.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this is an animal study in mice—not humans—so it's too early to know if hydrogen water would have the same protective effects in people with brain injuries. The findings suggest molecular hydrogen may warrant further investigation as a potential treatment for traumatic brain injury, but human clinical trials would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in its various forms has emerged as a major problem for modern society. Acute TBI can transform into a chronic condition and be a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, probably through induction of oxidative stress…