depression / anxiety

34 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with depression / anxiety?

A: Of 34 peer-reviewed papers, 26 reported a positive effect (the most common), 3 limited/mixed, 0 negative, 5 not assessed. Study mix: 6 human (4 RCT), 22 animal/basic, 5 meta-analysis or synthesis. The most studied delivery route is hydrogen-rich water. The above aggregates published research and does not constitute a clinically established conclusion. See the individual paper pages for details and Safety notes for inhalation safety. (last updated 2026-05-15)

Evidence breakdown
Human	6	of which RCT	4
Animal/basic	22	Synthesis/meta	5
Reported effect	positive 26 ・ limited/mixed 3 ・ negative 0 ・ not assessed 5

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 17 mixed routes: 5 inhalation: 5 injection / infusion: 3 not specified: 2 in vitro: 1 animal model: 1

Neuroprotective Effects of Molecular Hydrogen: A Critical Review.
2021 ・ Neurosci Bull ・ PMID 33078374

mixed routes not assessed review
Hydrogen-Rich Water Ameliorates Autistic-Like Behavioral Abnormalities in Valproic Acid-Treated Adolescent Mice Offspring.
2018 ・ Front Behav Neurosci ・ PMID 30127728

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular Hydrogen Prevents Social Deficits and Depression-Like Behaviors Induced by Low-Intensity Blast in Mice.
2018 ・ J Neuropathol Exp Neurol ・ PMID 30053086

inhalation positive animal study
Hydrogen-rich water for improvements of mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function in daily life.
2017 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 29497485

hydrogen-rich water positive human randomized controlled trial
Molecular hydrogen increases resilience to stress in mice.
2017 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 28852144

inhalation positive animal study
Hydrogen-rich saline attenuates anxiety-like behaviors in morphine-withdrawn mice.
2017 ・ Neuropharmacology ・ PMID 28359771

injection / infusion positive animal study
Effects of hydrogen-rich water on depressive-like behavior in mice.
2016 ・ Sci Rep ・ PMID 27026206

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Role of the Toll Like receptor (TLR) radical cycle in chronic inflammation: possible treatments targeting the TLR4 pathway.
2013 ・ Mol Neurobiol ・ PMID 23436141

not specified not assessed review
Consumption of molecular hydrogen prevents the stress-induced impairments in hippocampus-dependent learning tasks during chronic physical restraint in mice.
2009 ・ Neuropsychopharmacology ・ PMID 18563058

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study