Hydrogen Water Reduces Fibromyalgia Pain and Depression in Mice

TL;DR

Hydrogen-rich water reduced fibromyalgia-like pain sensitivity and depressive-like behaviors in male and female mice, with effects linked to reduced spinal oxidative stress, altered ERK signaling, and normalization of amygdala inflammatory and antioxidant markers.

Key Finding

Hydrogen-rich water reversed fibromyalgia-like pain and depressive behaviors in mice, with greater effectiveness in females, by reducing oxidative stress in the spinal cord and brain regions involved in pain and mood.

Summary

This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could help treat fibromyalgia-like pain and depression in mice. Researchers gave mice a drug to create fibromyalgia symptoms, then treated some with hydrogen-rich water while measuring pain sensitivity and mood-related behaviors. Hydrogen-rich water reduced pain responses and reversed depression-like behaviors in both male and female mice, though females showed greater improvement. The researchers found that hydrogen worked by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals in specific brain regions.

Practical Takeaway

While this mouse study suggests hydrogen-rich water may have potential for fibromyalgia and related mood symptoms, it is early-stage research that has not been tested in humans. The sex-dependent differences observed in mice may or may not apply to people. Anyone with fibromyalgia or depression should consult their healthcare provider before considering hydrogen water as a treatment.

Abstract (excerpt)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic nociplastic pain condition frequently accompanied by affective disturbances, particularly depression, for which effective treatments remain limited. Increasing evidence implicates central oxidative stress, maladaptive synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammatory alterations…

Read the full abstract via DOI