Pretreatment with ibogaine or its synthetic derivative 18-methoxycoronaridine reversed the behavioral disinhibition and increased corticosterone levels caused by a low dose of methamphetamine in rats. Methamphetamine alone increased open-arm entries in the elevated plus maze and raised plasma corticosterone, suggesting behavioral disinhibition rather than anxiety reduction. Both iboga compounds blocked these effects without altering general locomotion, indicating a potential mechanism for their anti-addictive properties through modulation of neuroendocrine stress responses.
Ibogaine and 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), compounds being studied as potential treatments for addiction, increased the behavioral effects of methamphetamine in rats. Rats given methamphetamine daily for seven days and then pretreated with 18-MC showed more movement in response to methamphetamine than those given a placebo. Both ibogaine and 18-MC also intensified repetitive, stereotypic behaviors caused by higher doses of methamphetamine. These results match earlier findings with cocaine, suggesting the iboga agents interact with brain pathways that control hyperactivity from repeated stimulant use. The authors propose this enhancement may partly explain how these agents reduce drug self-administration.