Sex differences in ibogaine antagonism of morphine-induced locomotor activity and in ibogaine brain levels and metabolism.
Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior August 1, 1997 S M Pearl, L B Hough, D L Boyd et al. 58 citations
Ibogaine, a substance studied for antiaddictive properties, produces stronger behavioral effects in female rats than in males, correlating with higher ibogaine levels in their brains and plasma. Five hours after a 40 mg/kg dose, ibogaine antagonized morphine-induced locomotor activity only in females. At 19 hours after 10-60 mg/kg ibogaine or one hour after 5-40 mg/kg noribogaine (a metabolite), antagonism was greater in females. Brain and plasma levels of ibogaine and noribogaine were higher in females given the same dose. Levels were much lower at 19 hours than earlier, unlike a prior human study. Subcutaneous injection produced greater antagonism than intraperitoneal, consistent with higher brain levels. Sex differences likely stem from lower ibogaine bioavailability in males.