What Researchers Did
Researchers conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study involving 30 active divers to assess the effects of pseudoephedrine on mental function and heart activity at 1 and 3 atmospheres of pressure.
What They Found
Pseudoephedrine did not significantly alter psychometric test scores (p>0.05) but tended to increase anxiety (p=0.092). Depth, however, significantly increased anxiety (p=0.021) and decreased verbal fluency (p=0.041). Pseudoephedrine significantly increased heart rate (p=0.036), while depth significantly decreased it (p=0.013), with neither affecting cardiac rhythm.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The study involved a specific group of active divers and did not fully explore the clinical significance of the observed heart rate changes.