Frontiers in pharmacology
January 1, 2019
Soledad Marton, Bruno González, Sebastián Rodríguez-bottero et al.
71 citations
A single injection of ibogaine in rats increased the expression of neurotrophic factors in brain regions containing dopamine neurons, with effects depending on dose and brain area. At 24 hours, the higher dose (40 mg/kg) selectively raised GDNF in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra, while both doses boosted BDNF transcripts in the nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, and prefrontal cortex. NGF mRNA increased across all regions after the higher dose. Protein levels showed GDNF rise only in the ventral tegmental area at the higher dose, and proBDNF increased in the nucleus accumbens for both doses. These changes may help explain ibogaine's reported ability to reduce drug-seeking behavior.
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.
Neuroscience
February 6, 2025
Carolina Echeverry, Mariana Pazos, Maximiliano Torres-Pérez et al.
9 citations
Neurodegenerative diseases, whose main risk factor is age, are increasing worldwide as life expectancy rises. Although causes remain unknown in about 90% of cases, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered proteostasis, and inflammation are key contributors to neuronal death. No cure exists; current therapies only relieve symptoms. This review examines three plant-derived compounds with neuroprotective potential used in folk medicine: quercetin (QCT), cannabidiol (CBD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Each acts through distinct mechanisms—QCT as an antioxidant, CBD as an anti-inflammatory, and DMT as a promoter of neuroplasticity. The authors suggest that combining these compounds or targeting different disease stages could yield effective treatments.
ChemRxiv
October 29, 2018
Soledad Marton, Bruno González, Sebastián Rodríguez et al.
Ibogaine, a psychedelic alkaloid, alters the expression of three neurotrophic factors—GDNF, BDNF, and NGF—in rat brain regions containing dopamine neurons. A single injection of 20 or 40 mg/kg ibogaine increased expression of these factors after 24 hours in a dose- and region-specific manner. The higher dose selectively raised GDNF in the ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra. Both doses increased BDNF in the nucleus accumbens, substantia nigra, and prefrontal cortex, while the higher dose also raised BDNF in the ventral tegmental area. NGF increased in all regions after the higher dose. Mature GDNF protein rose in the ventral tegmental area, and proBDNF increased in the nucleus accumbens. These changes may contribute to ibogaine's anti-addictive properties.