Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129-2020, United States.
2 papers in the library · 108 citations · publishing 2008-2023
Salvinorin A, the psychoactive component of the mint plant Salvia divinorum, is a uniquely potent agonist at kappa-opioid receptors. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies in 6 adult female baboons showed extremely rapid brain uptake, reaching a peak of 3.3% of the total administered dose within 40 seconds and clearing with a half-life of 8 minutes. The compound distributed throughout the brain, with highest concentration in the cerebellum and notable concentration in the visual cortex, which may account for visual hallucinations when smoked. Naloxone did not reduce overall concentration or alter regional distribution. The rapid brain kinetics match the brief time-course of visual hallucinations, and effects may occur at less than 10 micrograms in the human brain, emphasizing its remarkable potency.
Several naturally occurring molecules, including entheogens—plant-derived compounds used by Indigenous groups for religious or spiritual purposes—show unique potential for treating psychiatric illnesses and are being pursued in therapeutic development. This viewpoint argues that labeling such compounds as "DARK" in ACS Chemical Neuroscience issues perpetuates harmful stigmas. The authors propose reframing these substances in the light and beauty of their cultural and historical contexts, urging a shift in language surrounding entheogens and psychedelics more broadly.