Ibogaine Acute Administration in Rats Promotes Wakefulness, Long-Lasting REM Sleep Suppression, and a Distinctive Motor Profile.
Frontiers in pharmacology January 1, 2018 Joaquín González, José P Prieto, Paola Rodríguez et al. 31 citations
Ibogaine, a psychedelic alkaloid with anti-addictive properties, acutely increases wakefulness and suppresses REM sleep in rats. In a study with polysomnographic recordings over six hours, rats given ibogaine (20 or 40 mg/kg) spent more time awake and less time in slow wave sleep and REM sleep compared to controls. REM sleep latency increased with the higher dose. The wake-promoting and slow wave sleep effects occurred in the first two hours, while REM suppression lasted throughout the recording. Lower doses increased locomotion; higher doses caused tremor and flat body posture. Head shake response, linked to 5HT2A receptor activation, was unchanged. The findings suggest ibogaine produces a waking state with prolonged REM suppression and a dose-dependent motor profile.