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Enhancement of suggestibility and imaginative ability with nitrous oxide

Psychopharmacology volume 203, pages 745–752 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Rationale

Imaginative suggestibility, a trait closely related to hypnotic suggestibility, is modifiable under some circumstances. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is commonly used for sedation in dentistry and is reported to be more effective when combined with appropriate suggestions.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether nitrous oxide inhalation alters imaginative suggestibility and imagery vividness.

Methods

Thirty participants were tested twice in a within-subjects design, once during inhalation of 25% nitrous oxide and once during inhalation of air plus oxygen. Before the study, participants’ expectancies regarding the effects of nitrous oxide were assessed. Participants were blinded to drug administration. During each session, participants were verbally administered detailed measures of imagination and suggestibility: the Sheehan–Betts Quality of Mental Imagery scale and the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale Form C, minus the hypnotic induction.

Results

Imaginative suggestibility and imaginative ability (imagery vividness) were both elevated in the nitrous oxide condition. This effect was unrelated to participants’ expectations regarding the effects of the drug.

Conclusions

Nitrous oxide increased imaginative suggestibility and imaginative ability. Possible explanations of these findings are discussed with respect to the effects of N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists and to other pharmacological effects upon suggestibility and imagination.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank David Oakley, Irving Kirsch, and Celia Morgan for their helpful comments during the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hypnosis Unit, Department of Psychology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    M. G. Whalley & G. B. Brooks

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  1. M. G. Whalley
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  2. G. B. Brooks
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Correspondence to M. G. Whalley.

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Whalley, M.G., Brooks, G.B. Enhancement of suggestibility and imaginative ability with nitrous oxide. Psychopharmacology 203, 745–752 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-008-1424-0

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Keywords

  • Suggestibility
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Imagination
  • Imaginative ability
  • Imagery
  • Hypnosis
  • Hypnotisability
  • Suggestion
  • Vividness
  • NMDA