Department of Health Sciences, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, BA, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Center for Innovation and Discovery in Addictions, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States.
2 papers in the library · 16 citations · publishing 2021-2024
Ibogaine, a psychedelic from the African plant Tabernanthe iboga, blocked the reinstatement of a conditioned place preference for ethanol in male mice, suggesting it may disrupt learned alcohol-seeking behaviors. Ethanol (1.8 g/kg) induced a conditioned place preference, but ibogaine (10 or 30 mg/kg) did not produce rewarding effects on its own. Repeated ibogaine treatment after ethanol conditioning prevented reinstatement of the preference both when mice received a priming ethanol injection and when they were re-exposed to the ethanol-paired compartment without the drug. These results indicate ibogaine could have therapeutic potential for alcohol use disorder at doses that lack rewarding effects.
Psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin have shown promise for treating alcohol use disorder by reducing drinking and promoting abstinence. Ayahuasca, an Amazonian brew containing β-carbolines and DMT, has also emerged as a potential treatment. Clinical studies, mostly retrospective, report significant decreases in alcohol use among ayahuasca users. Pre-clinical evidence indicates ayahuasca blocks abuse-related effects of alcohol. The chapter reviews clinical and pre-clinical evidence suggesting ayahuasca may be a promising new pharmacotherapy for alcohol use disorder and discusses potential mechanisms.