Nitrous Oxide and Cognitive Set: Implications of an Altered State of Consciousness for Creative Problem Solving
September 1, 1984 K. Gene Hansen, T. Malloy, O. Gordon et al.
Nitrous oxide increases the likelihood of breaking a mechanized cognitive set, leading to more efficient solutions, fewer errors, and quicker responses. In a randomized trial with sixty-four dental patients, those given nitrous oxide showed improved cognitive flexibility compared to controls. The altered state allowed subjects to experience aspects of the world normally excluded or ignored. The authors suggest nitrous oxide, along with other altered states like hypnosis, meditation, and guided fantasy, may help resolve creative blocks and could serve as an adjunct to psychotherapy when clients are stuck in rigid cognitive patterns.