Current drug abuse reviews
January 1, 2014
Michael Winkelman
128 citations
Psychedelic substances such as LSD, peyote, ibogaine, and ayahuasca have been used in ethnomedical traditions for millennia and showed promise in addiction treatment during the 1950s and 1960s before being prohibited. Despite their Schedule I classification, evidence indicates these substances are safer than major addictive drugs, with very low mortality and little physical dependence. This review examines studies on these psychedelics for treating dependencies and their therapeutic mechanisms, including a notable after-glow effect linked to serotonin system activity. Serotonin's role is relevant because addict populations often have depressed serotonin levels, and serotonin modulates many other neurotransmitter systems.
Current drug abuse reviews
March 1, 2013
Thomas Kingsley Brown
105 citations
Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid from the African plant Tabernanthe iboga, has a history of use in treating drug addiction outside conventional medical settings due to its Schedule I status in the U.S. Preclinical research generally supports anecdotal claims that ibogaine attenuates withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings. However, concerns about its safety and a lack of solid human data have blocked progress toward controlled clinical trials and approval as a medication. This review outlines major preclinical findings, safety concerns, and previous and ongoing research on ibogaine as an anti-addictive treatment for humans.
Current drug abuse reviews
March 1, 2013
Jose-Luis Diaz
17 citations
A multidisciplinary investigation of Salvia divinorum and its active compound salvinorin A examines whether the plant's ethnobotany, chemistry, mental effects, and neuropharmacology explain its experienced effects and divinatory uses. Field research from 1973-1983 describes traditional Mazatec practices where a water potion of crushed leaves produced short-lasting light-headedness, dysphoria, tactile and proprioceptive sensations, depersonalization, amplified sound perception, and increased visual and auditory imagery, but not actual hallucinations. These effects are attributable to salvinorin A but cannot be explained solely by its potent kappa-opioid receptor agonist activity.
Current drug abuse reviews
January 1, 2014
R G Dos Santos, J A S Crippa, J P Machado-De-Sousa et al.
10 citations
Psychostimulant abuse and dependence currently lack pharmacological treatment. Salvinorin A, a κ-opioid receptor agonist from the plant Salvia divinorum used by Mazateca Indians, and its analogues have shown anti-addiction effects in animal models. These effects occur by attenuating dopamine release, sensitization, and other neurochemical and behavioral changes caused by acute and prolonged psychostimulant administration. The article presents an overview of preclinical evidence suggesting these anti-addictive properties.
Current drug abuse reviews
January 1, 2014
Robin Mackenzie
6 citations
Health-related psychedelic research should aim to enhance human flourishing, not just treat illness or addiction. Factors that promote flourishing include finding meaning in life, spiritual practices, comfortable social bonds, satisfying sex in a long-term monogamous relationship, and control over daily life. Neuroscience currently anchors psychedelic research in disease, but neurophenomenological approaches could illuminate relationships between health, altered states of consciousness (ASCs) and non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), and cognitive liberty. A taxonomic knowledge base categorizing ASCs/NOSCs is needed to enable safe navigation among states of mind. Legal reforms are necessary to allow research and end-of-life access to psychedelics for a good death.