EEG Gamma Band Alterations and REM-like Traits Underpin the Acute Effect of the Atypical Psychedelic Ibogaine in the Rat.
ACS pharmacology & translational science – April 09, 2021
Source: PubMed
Summary
The dream-like experiences reported with the psychedelic ibogaine, known for its anti-addictive potential, might actually mirror brain activity during natural REM sleep. Researchers explored the brain's electrical signals during ibogaine-induced wakefulness in rats, hypothesizing a link between its unique "waking dream" state and specific brainwave patterns. They analyzed intracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) data. Remarkably, ibogaine significantly boosted gamma brainwave power. This activity, despite its strength, showed reduced coherence and complexity, closely resembling natural REM sleep. This discovery offers compelling biological evidence connecting the psychedelic experience to REM sleep, advancing our understanding of how ibogaine creates its vivid, dream-like effects.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a psychedelic alkaloid that has attracted large scientific interest because of its antiaddictive properties in observational studies in humans as well as in animal models. Its subjective effect has been described as intense, vivid dream-like experiences occurring while awake; hence, ibogaine is often referred to as an oneirogenic psychedelic. While this unique dream-like profile has been hypothesized to aid the antiaddictive effects, the electrophysiological signatures of this psychedelic state remain unknown. We previously showed in rats that ibogaine promotes a waking state with abnormal motor behavior along with a decrease in NREM and REM sleep. Here, we performed an in-depth analysis of the intracranial electroencephalogram during "ibogaine wakefulness". We found that ibogaine induces gamma oscillations that, despite having larger power than control levels, are less coherent and less complex. Further analysis revealed that this profile of gamma activity compares to that of natural REM sleep. Thus, our results provide novel biological evidence for the association between the psychedelic state and REM sleep, contributing to the understanding of the brain mechanisms associated with the oneirogenic psychedelic effect of ibogaine.