PSYCHOTROPIC ANALGESIC NITROUS OXIDE FOR ADDICTIVE WITHDRAWAL

一氧化二氮(N2O,氧化亚氮)俗称笑气,是一种吸入性全身麻醉剂,它通过抑制中枢神经系统兴奋性递质的释放和神经冲动的传导及改变离子通道的通透作用而发挥镇静和镇痛作用,在低浓度下(如浓度20%)即可产生镇痛效应。笑气主要用于外科手术的临床麻醉,在吸入低浓度的笑气时可以治疗物质依赖(如尼古丁、酒精、大麻、阿片类等依赖)的戒断症状。下面是有关一氧化二氮治疗药物依赖的一些信息。(本刊编辑部)

1. The psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide（PAN） therapy, for acute addictive withdrawal from alcohol, opioids, cannabis, cocaine, sedatives （ e. g. Valium） and nicotine was pioneered, researched and developed by the South African Brain Research Institute （SABRI）. It was first used at Wedge Farm and then Wedge Gardens （Rand Aid Association, Johannesburg） starting in 1979. Wedge Gardens is the largest non -governmental alcoholic facility in South Africa. The major funding for the research came from Anglo - American and De Beers Chairman＇s Fund. Numerous other large corporations have contributed to the research, including First National Bank, Johannesburg Consolidated Investments, Barlows, BHP- Billiton and others. Research funding over the years has also come from the S. A Medical Research Council Over the last 25 years, these corporations have donated research funding, as part of their corporate responsibility programmes, without commercial interest. Since the initial discovery of the therapy more than 50 000 patients have been successfully treated with it. It has also been used in Finland （since 1990） and more recently in the USA. In South Africa, it is used at an ever increasing number of SANCA （S. A. National Council for Alcoholism and Drug Dependence） Societies, the Salvation Army and in private medical practice. SANCA is a quasi -governmental organisation responsible for treating addiction in S. A.