Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Brain and Nerve Disorders
- Authors
- Dinesh Ramanathan, Lei Huang, Taylor Wilson, Warren Boling
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.4103/2045-9912.359677
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- United States
- Health Condition
- Stroke
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Scientists found that a special type of hydrogen can help protect the brain by fighting harmful molecules that damage brain cells, and it might be useful for treating conditions like strokes and Alzheimer's disease. This is exciting because it could offer a new, simple way to help people recover from serious brain injuries and diseases.
Key Finding
Animal studies and preliminary clinical trials suggest molecular hydrogen may protect nerve cells by neutralizing harmful free radicals and reducing inflammation in stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and brain injuries.
Summary
This review article examined research on molecular hydrogen therapy for brain and nervous system diseases. Hydrogen gas may help protect nerve cells by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals that damage cells in conditions like stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The review found that animal studies and some human trials suggest hydrogen therapy could reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), though more research is needed.
Practical Takeaway
While animal research shows promise for hydrogen therapy in neurological conditions, this is a review of existing studies rather than new research. Most evidence comes from animal studies; human clinical trials remain limited. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy for neurological concerns should consult their healthcare provider, as definitive clinical evidence in humans is still developing.
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals cause oxidative stress which is the underlying pathogenesis of cellular injury in various neurological diseases. Molecular hydrogen therapy with its unique biological property of selectively scavenging pathological free radicals has demonstrated therapeutic potential in innumerable animal studies and some clinical trials. These studies have implicated several cellular pathways affected by hydrogen therapy in explaining its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. This article reviews relevant animal and clinical studies that demonstrate neuroprotective effects of hydrogen therapy in stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, neurotrauma, and global brain injury.