Taming ibogaine

Chemists have created a new molecule, tabernanthalog, by systematically modifying the structure of the psychedelic compound ibogaine. Tabernanthalog has a simpler structure, making it easier to synthesize, and may someday be used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and addiction. The researchers, based in David E. Olson’s lab at the University of California, Davis, believe psychedelics can regrow neurons and reestablish synaptic connections in brain areas that degenerate in these illnesses. They aimed to engineer a compound that lacks the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics like ketamine, which requires medical supervision, while retaining therapeutic benefits.

Study at a glance

Abstract

By systematically tweaking the structure of the psychedelic compound ibogaine, chemists have created a molecule that may someday find use as a treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and addiction. The compound, which the researchers call tabernanthalog, has a simpler structure than ibogaine, making it easier to synthesize. Researchers in David E. Olson’s lab at the University of California, Davis, have been exploring psychedelic compounds as potential therapeutics for neuropsychiatric conditions. They think that psychedelics can regrow neurons and reestablish synaptic connections in an area of the brain that degenerates in these illnesses. Olson notes the recent success of the psychedelic drug ketamine as a treatment for depression. But ketamine has hallucinogenic properties and therefore must be given to patients by a health-care professional to ensure safety. “We really wanted to see if we could use chemistry to engineer a psychedelic compound to lack the hallucinogenic effects but retain the