American Journal of Therapeutics
March 1, 2024
Kirsten Cherian, Kenneth Shinozuka, Burton J. Tabaac et al.
9 citations
Ibogaine, a plant-derived alkaloid used for millennia in West-Central African ceremonies, shows promise for treating opioid dependence and other neuropsychiatric conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, it poses significant safety risks, including potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias due to QT prolongation, which co-administration with magnesium may reduce. Dangerous interactions with opiates require full opioid withdrawal before treatment. Rare mania or psychosis can occur, and transient effects include ataxia, tremors, and gastrointestinal issues. In open-label and randomized controlled trials, a single ibogaine dose reduces heroin and opioid cravings by over 50% for up to 24 weeks.
American Journal of Therapeutics
February 20, 2026
Burton J. Tabaac, Kenneth Shinozuka, Anne Weisman et al.
5-MeO-DMT, an ultra-short-acting psychedelic, shows promise for treating depression that does not respond to other therapies, as well as other psychiatric conditions. This evidence supports the need for larger randomized controlled trials to further investigate its effectiveness.
American Journal of Therapeutics
November 1, 2024
A correction is issued regarding a published statement about clinical trials on DMT. The original claim that there have been two double-blind randomized controlled trials on DMT is incorrect; as of January 2024, no such trials exist, although top-line data and open-label trials have been published.
American Journal of Therapeutics
January 1, 2024
Kristine C. Willett, LeDea R. Bond, Amanda M. Morrill et al.
The combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion (Auveulty) reduces depression symptoms in people with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, with improvement observed as early as one week after starting treatment. In a phase 2 trial, the combination outperformed bupropion alone on the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impressions Severity scale. A phase 3 trial comparing the combination to placebo also showed significant reductions on those scales. Adverse effects were similar across groups. This combination offers a faster onset of action than standard treatments, which are effective in only 40%–60% of patients.