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Pilot Study of Nitrous Oxide for OCD Symptoms

This study is investigating if inhaled nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, can quickly improve symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Participants will receive either nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen, or nitrogen mixed with oxygen, for 60 minutes. Researchers will then measure changes in OCD symptoms using a standard scale (YBOCS) after one week. You may be able to join if you are between 18 and 65 years old, have a primary diagnosis of OCD, and your symptoms are severe enough. The study aims to enroll 45 participants, but its current recruitment status is unclear.

Study design
This is an interventional pilot study, meaning participants receive a specific treatment. It aims to enroll 45 individuals.
What's involved
Participants will receive a 60-minute inhalation of either nitrous oxide or nitrogen.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your OCD symptoms will be measured one week after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT03826693

Efficacy of Nitrous Oxide in OCD: Pilot Study

Recruiting
PHASE2Ages 18–65InterventionalTreatment
Stanford University
~45 participants
Updated 2025-08-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Nitrous OxideNitrogen

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Improvement in the severity of OCD symptoms as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS)
Measured over 1 week

Conditions

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Explore related trials

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
California1

Study leadership

  • Peter J van Roessel, MD, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Stanford Univeristy

Who to contact

Pavithra Mukunda, MS
[email protected]
650-723-4095
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age 18-65
Primary diagnosis of OCD
Sufficient severity of OCD symptoms
Ability to tolerate a treatment-free period
Capacity to provide informed consent

Exclusion

Psychiatric or medical conditions that make participation unsafe
Pregnant or nursing females
Concurrent use of any medications that might increase the risk of participation (e.g. drug interactions)

What this trial measures

  • Improvement in the severity of OCD symptoms as measured by the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS)1 week

    Improvement in OCD severity is measured by the YBOCS (Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale), a gold standard measure of obsessions and compulsions. For the YBOCS the minimum units are 0 and Maximum units on the total scale are 40. The higher the number on the YBOCS, the more severe the symptoms. Response is defined as at least a 35% reduction on the YBOCS.