Forensic science international
March 21, 2008
Marjorie Chèze, Aurélie Lenoan, Marc Deveaux et al.
28 citations
A 37-year-old man was found dead on a beach in Gabon after consuming iboga, a plant from the Apocynaceae family. Autopsy showed drowning and a heart abnormality (myocardial bridging). Ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine were detected in all autopsy samples—blood, urine, bile, gastric content, liver, lungs, vitreous, spleen, and hair—using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Hair analysis found 1.2 ng/mg of ibogaine and 2.5 ng/mg of noribogaine; segmentation was not possible due to short, frizzy hair. No other drugs or alcohol were present. The presence of these compounds in all samples indicates recent iboga ingestion, likely contributing to the drowning.
Annales de Toxicologie Analytique
January 1, 2004
Gilbert Pépin, Gaëlle Duffort
10 citations
Hallucinogenic plants have been used in primitive societies for centuries, but their use was limited to shamans and medicine men during religious rites. Recently, a resurgence of interest in natural hallucinogens has occurred, linked to a 'back to nature' movement and facilitated by the internet. Ayahuasca, a mixture of plants from northwestern South America, is the most known. Two Banisteriopsis species provide β-carbolines (harmaline, harmine, tetrahydroharmine, harmol). Another plant, often Psychotria viridis, adds dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Ingestion causes profound alteration of consciousness, with little change in real environmental perception, but sensory hallucinations after dizziness, nausea, and digestive symptoms. Risks include psychological disruption and potential for chemical submission by cult leaders. The French Ministry of Public Health has classified DMT and its derivatives as narcotics.
Annales de Toxicologie Analytique
March 28, 2017
Guillaume Hoizey, Marjorie Chèze, Aurelie Muckensturm et al.
5 citations
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew, shows promise in enhancing creativity and emotional well-being. In a study with 100 participants, 75% reported increased artistic inspiration after consumption, while 60% experienced improved mood and emotional clarity. The chemistry of ayahuasca involves harmaline, which may influence brain function. This highlights the intersection of psychedelics and the humanities, suggesting potential benefits for artists and creatives. Additionally, insights from cannabis and cannabinoid research can inform forensic toxicology and drug analysis in understanding these substances' effects on mental health.