Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is produced endogenously by l-cysteine metabolism. H₂S modulates several ion channels with an unclear mechanism of action. A possible mechanism is through reduction-oxidation reactions attributable to the redox potential of the sulfur moiety. The aims of this study were to determine the effects of the H₂S donor NaHS on Na_V1.5, a voltage-dependent sodium channel expressed in the gastrointestinal tract in human jejunum smooth muscle cells and interstitial cells of Cajal, and to elucidate whether H₂S acts on Na_V1.5 by redox reactions. Whole cell Na⁺ currents were recorded in freshly dissociated human jejunum circular myocytes and Na_V1.5-transfected human embryonic kidney-293 cells. RT-PCR amplified mRNA for H₂S enzymes cystathionine β-synthase and cystathionine γ-lyase from the human jejunum. NaHS increased native Na⁺ peak currents and shifted the half-point ( V_1/2) of steady-state activation and inactivation by +21 ± 2 mV and +15 ± 3 mV, respectively. Similar effects were seen on the heterologously expressed Na_V1.5 α subunit with EC₅₀s in the 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻³ M range. The reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) mimicked in part the effects of NaHS by increasing peak current and positively shifting steady-state activation. DTT together with NaHS had an additive effect on steady-state activation but not on peak current, suggesting that the latter may be altered via reduction. Pretreatment with the Hg²⁺-conjugated oxidizer thimerosal or the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide inhibited or decreased NaHS induction of Na_V1.5 peak current. These studies show that H₂S activates the gastrointestinal Na⁺ channel, and the mechanism of action of H₂S is partially redox independent.