Psychopharmacology
December 18, 2019
Neiloufar Family, Émeline L. Maillet, Luke T. J. Williams et al.
142 citations
Repeated low doses of LSD are safe and well tolerated in older adults. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 48 healthy volunteers aged around 63 received either 5, 10, or 20 micrograms of LSD or a placebo every four days for three weeks. LSD was undetectable in the blood at the 5 microgram dose, while peak levels for higher doses occurred within 30 minutes. Adverse events were no more frequent than with placebo, and tests of cognition, balance, and proprioception showed no impairment. These results support further clinical development of low-dose LSD for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
Journal of Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2022
Neiloufar Family, Peter S. Hendricks, Luke T. J. Williams et al.
23 citations
LSD doses of 50, 75, and 100 micrograms are tolerable and safe in healthy adults when administered in a novel group-based intervention paradigm with one attendant per participant. Thirty-two adults (mean age 28.8 years) received LSD or placebo across open-label and double-blind designs. No serious adverse events occurred; 28% of participants reported at least one mild expected adverse event and one moderate event. Peak blood plasma levels appeared 1.2 to 2 hours after administration, with an apparent half-life of 2.8 to 4.3 hours. LSD produced greater subjective effects than placebo, including mystical-type experiences. Further research is needed in clinical populations.
The FASEB Journal
April 1, 2015
Émeline L. Maillet, Nicolas Milon, James A. Fishback et al.
1 citation
Noribogaine, the primary metabolite of the anti-addictive substance ibogaine, modulates opioid receptors in ways that may explain its therapeutic effects. At mu-opioid receptors, noribogaine acts as a moderately potent antagonist of both G-protein and β-arrestin signaling pathways. At kappa-opioid receptors, it is a partial agonist of the G-protein pathway, activating at 75% the maximal efficacy of Dynorphin A with a potency of 9 µM, while poorly activating the β-arrestin pathway. Noribogaine functionally inhibits Dynorphin A-induced β-arrestin recruitment at physiologically relevant concentrations, with an IC50 of 1.45 µM. Computational simulations suggest noribogaine binds to the orthosteric morphinan binding site.
The FASEB Journal
April 1, 2015
Émeline L. Maillet, Qing Chang, Nicolas Milon et al.
Noribogaine, a drug that acts on opioid receptors, nicotinic receptors, and serotonin transporters, was tested for its effects on nicotine dependence. It inhibited several types of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, including α3β4 and α7. In a rat model of nicotine self-administration, noribogaine dose-dependently reduced nicotine intake by up to 64% compared to saline-treated rats, an effect comparable to the approved smoking cessation drug varenicline. These results suggest noribogaine may have potential for treating smoking cessation, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders.