The article examined a new study from Peter Nagele, M.D., Ben Palanca, M.D., and colleagues that found low doses of nitrous oxide could be a fast-acting, highly effective treatment for severe depression. “In a proof-of-concept study several years ago, we assessed patients for 24 hours,” Dr. Nagele said. “In this study, we continued to assess them for two weeks, and most continued to feel better.”