Veno‐venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) can be lifesaving. In these cases, the complex brain-lung crosstalk might lead to a form of acute brain injury that can pose a challenge on sedation strategies [2]. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetic alterations related to the VV-ECMO therapy can lower plasma drug concentra-tions, making the dose–response relationship of sedatives unpredictable [3]. Complex sedation scenarios in VV-ECMO ARDS patients are thus not rare. Volatile sedation (VS) is a novel therapy in the critical care setting. Different studies demonstrate that VS induces light to deep sedation and is associated with shorter awakening times. Moreover, it could improve oxygenation and decrease the produc-tion of alveolar cytokines even in situations where lung mechanics are deeply affected.