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Mental Health Wiki > Depression > Treatments for depression > Complementary and lifestyle treatments for depression > Negative Air Ionisation
Negative Air IonisationFrom $1Table of contentsWhat is it?A negative air ionizer is a device that uses high voltage to electrically charge air particles. Breathing these negatively charged particles is thought to improve depression. How is it meant to work?This is not clear. However, it may affect the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) serotonin, which is thought to be involved in depression. It may also improve how the mind processes emotional information. Does it work?One study has been carried out with adults who had been depressed for a long time. They were exposed to high density negative ionization for one hour each day for 5 weeks or to a placebo (low density air ionization). Half of these people recovered compared to none who received the placebo. Four other studies have tested negative air ionization in people with seasonal depression. Three studies found it more helpful than a placebo but one did not [Flory 2010]. However, this study may have been too short for the treatment to work. In order to work, the negative air ionizer needed to have a flow rate of at least 4.5 x 1013/second. Are there any risks?None are known. RecommendationNegative air ionization appears to work, including for seasonal depression. However, the air ionizer needs to be of the right type. NoteMany air ionizers that are sold will not produce the required high density of ionization. They can also be expensive. Most research has used an air ionizer made by an American manufacturer, SphereOne. ReferencesFlory, R., J. Ametepe, et al. (2010). "A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of bright light and high-density negative air ions for treatment of seasonal affective disorder." Psychiatry Research 177(1-2): 101-108. Goel N, Terman M, Terman JS, Macchi MM, Stewart JW. Controlled trial of bright light and negative air ions for chronic depression. Psychological Medicine 2005; 35:945-955. Harmer, C. J., M. Charles, et al. (2011). "Negative ion treatment increases positive emotional processing in seasonal affective disorder." Psychological Medicine FirstView: 1-8. Terman M, Terman JS. Treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder with a high-output negative ionizer. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 1995; 1(1):87-92. Terman M, Terman JS, Ross DC. A controlled trial of timed bright light and negative air ionization for treatment of winter depression. Archives of General Psychiatry 1998; 55:875-882. Terman, M. and J. S. Terman (2006). "Controlled trial of naturalistic dawn simulation and negative air ionization for seasonal affective disorder." Am J Psychiatry 163(12): 2126-2133.
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