Overview
- Researchers from the University of Birmingham, the University of Oxford and an NHS trust reviewed seven clinical trials (plus four protocol papers) published in eBioMedicine.
- A single clinically administered 50% inhalation reduced depressive symptoms within 24 hours, but the effect generally diminished by one week.
- Repeated treatment over several weeks was associated with more sustained improvement, suggesting ongoing dosing may be needed to maintain benefit.
- Short-term side effects such as nausea, dizziness and headaches were reported and resolved quickly, with no acute safety concerns reported; long-term safety is unknown.
- The team is preparing the first NHS trial to assess real-world delivery and acceptability, while independent experts stress that current evidence is small, heterogeneous and at risk of unblinding.