Nitrous oxide speeds the reduction of distressing intrusive memories in an experimental model of psychological trauma
Psychological Medicine March 3, 2016 Ravi Das, Amanda J. F. Tamman, Viktoriya L. Nikolova et al. 48 citations
Inhaling nitrous oxide shortly after a traumatic event speeds the decline of intrusive memories, reducing them by the next day compared to four days later with medical air. The gas appears to disrupt memory consolidation, but it increases intrusive memories in people who were highly dissociated at the time of the trauma. Sleep quality did not differ between groups. The findings suggest nitrous oxide may help prevent PTSD symptoms in some individuals, but caution is warranted for those with dissociation.