International journal of toxicology
December 1, 2011
Daniela Braida, Andrea Donzelli, Roberta Martucci et al.
29 citations
Salvinorin A, the main psychoactive compound in Salvia divinorum, impairs spatial long-term memory, episodic memory, and aversive memory in rats, but does not affect short-term memory. These memory deficits are blocked by a selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist, indicating the effects are mediated through that receptor. Additionally, salvinorin A disrupts latent inhibition, a measure of attention, suggesting broader cognitive impairment. The findings demonstrate that salvinorin A has deleterious effects on learning and memory via a κ-opioid receptor mechanism.
International journal of toxicology
January 1, 2024
Eleanor White, Tom Kennedy, Simon Ruffell et al.
13 citations
A systematic thematic review of 78 articles found that ayahuasca and its main psychoactive alkaloid DMT are generally safe in controlled settings, with serious adverse effects rarely reported among healthy populations. However, some adverse human events have been documented. In animal models, higher doses of ayahuasca showed abortifacient and teratogenic effects, and isolated harmala alkaloid studies—especially with harmaline—revealed potential toxicity at higher doses, which may increase when co-administered with certain medications. The authors note that high-dose animal studies using synthetic isolates may not translate to human use of therapeutic plant-based extracts. The review concludes that traditional use of ayahuasca and DMT has an acceptable safety profile, but further randomized controlled trials with larger samples and longer follow-up are needed.
International journal of toxicology
June 4, 2026
Sumit Sarkar, Gonçalo Gamboa da Costa, Kellie Woodling et al.
A single high dose of ketamine (100 mg/kg) caused neuronal necrosis in the retrosplenial cortex of adult female rats, but no such damage was observed in juvenile rats (postnatal days 21, 30, or 35) or in adult males. Adult females also had markedly higher serum levels of norketamine, the primary metabolite, which may explain the sex- and age-specific brain changes. These findings suggest that acute ketamine exposure does not increase susceptibility to neuronal death in juvenile rats compared to adults.
International journal of toxicology
January 31, 2026
Amir Lotfi, Samantha Sparapani, Mylène Pouliot et al.
5-MeO-DMT, a serotonin receptor agonist being developed for major depression, was tested for seizure risk in beagle dogs. Eight dogs received intranasal doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/kg/day for nine days. Continuous EEG monitoring showed no seizures or epileptiform discharges at any dose, despite dose-dependent behavioral signs of serotonergic stimulation such as head shaking, tremors, and dilated pupils. These signs correlated with peak plasma levels and resolved within an hour. In a canine model sensitive to serotonergic drug-induced seizures, 5-MeO-DMT did not induce seizures, indicating low seizure liability.