Ibogaine, injected into the abdomen or given orally, but not under the skin, reduced alcohol intake in alcohol-preferring, Fawn-Hooded, and alcohol-accepting rats. The effect was dose-dependent and did not diminish with repeated oral doses over five days. Ibogaine did not affect blood alcohol levels or food and water intake. The results suggest that ibogaine or its metabolites may reduce alcohol consumption by modulating brain chemicals involved in alcohol intake regulation, though the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
A single injection of 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), a nontoxic ibogaine analogue, dose dependently reduced alcohol consumption and preference in alcohol-preferring rats, while water intake increased correspondingly. Only the highest dose (40 mg/kg) also decreased food intake. The mechanism by which 18-MC suppresses alcohol intake is not yet fully understood but may involve modulation of neurotransmitters that regulate alcohol consumption.