Lactate Infusion in the Treatment of ‘Free-Floating’ Anxiety *

Abstract

This paper reports on the successful use of bi-weekly intravenous infusions of sodium lactate in alleviating symptoms in 33 patients suffering from intractable anxiety. Data is presented showing differential physiological and biochemical reactions to lactate, sodium chloride, and calcium infusions, as well as significant declines in self-rated anxiety for patients treated with lactate infusions for three weeks. Follow-up three and six weeks later suggests that these psychological changes may be relatively stable. The relevance of these results for a behavioural technique is suggested.