Methods for easing a patient's pain and anxiety from atrial or ventricular defibrillation are disclosed. The methods include causing the patient to inhale a medical gas prior to activation of a atrial defibrillation device or subsequent to activation of a ventricular defibrillation device. In the former case, the inhalation produces analgesia, anxiolysis or anterograde amnesia prior to, during and after the atrial defibrillation. In the latter case, the inhalation produces analgesia, anxiolysis or anterograde amnesia.