Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Treating Depression and Anxiety
- Authors
- Yasushi Satoh
- Journal
- Current Pharmaceutical Design
- Year
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.2174/1381612826666201113095938
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Depression
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Scientists found that a special type of hydrogen gas might help treat mental health problems like depression and anxiety by reducing harmful stress in the brain, and it could work better with fewer side effects than the medications we use today.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen shows anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties that researchers believe could address underlying biological factors in mental disorders, potentially offering an alternative approach to conventional antidepressant and antianxiety medications.
Summary
This review article examines research on molecular hydrogen (H2)—a simple gas that may have health benefits—and its potential use for treating mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. The authors note that H2 appears to reduce harmful molecules called free radicals and inflammation in the body, and they suggest these properties could help prevent or treat mental disorders. However, the review itself does not present new experimental results; instead, it summarizes existing studies and discusses why H2 might work.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review article, not a clinical study with human participants, so it does not provide direct evidence that hydrogen water or H2 gas helps treat mental health conditions in people. While the biological mechanisms described are interesting, actual clinical trials in humans are needed before any health claims can be made. Anyone considering H2 as a mental health treatment should consult their healthcare provider.
Abstract
In 2007, Ohsawa and colleagues reported that molecular hydrogen (H2 ) gas significantly reduced the infarct volume size in a rat model of cerebral infarction, which was at least partially due to scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Since then, multiple studies have shown that H2 has not only anti-oxidative but also anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, which has ignited interest in the clinical use of H2 in diverse diseases. A growing body of studies have indicated that H2 affects both mental and physical conditions. Mental disorders are characterized by disordered mood, thoughts, and behaviors that affect ability to function in daily life. However, there is no sure way to prevent mental disorders. Although antidepressant and antianxiety drugs relieve symptoms of depression and anxiety, they have efficacy limitations and are accompanied by a wide range of side effects. While mental disorders are generally thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and/or environmental factors, recent progress has shown that these disorders are strongly associated with increased oxidative and inflammatory stress. Thus, H2 has received much attention as a novel therapy for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. This review summarizes the recent progress in the use of H2 for the treatment of mental disorders and other related diseases. We also discuss the potential mechanisms of the biomedical effects of H2 and conclude that H2 could offer relief to people suffering from mental disorders.