Tabenrantalog instead of ibogaine
Synthetic analog of psychedelic
Sergey Vasiliev, Naked Science
Ketamine, LSD and other psychoactive substances are considered as potential remedies for the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions, as well as depression. In fact, such conditions are accompanied by the loss of connections between neurons of the prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and other higher cognitive functions. And already relatively small doses of psychedelics stimulate the formation of dendritic spikes on neurons – outgrowths that strengthen the connections between them. Meanwhile, doctors are stopped by psychoactive, and often toxic effects that these substances have on the body.
Therefore, many scientists are busy searching for analogues of these compounds, which would also have a positive effect on neurons, but did not have unnecessary and dangerous side effects. The team of David Olson from the University of California at Davis took ibogaine, the active ingredient of a plant called iboga, which is used by sorcerers of the African cult of bwiti, as the basis for such work. They write about the results of this work in an article published in the journal Nature (Cameron et al., A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential).
In addition to its psychedelic effects, ibogaine causes cardiac arrhythmias and other dangerous symptoms. In search of less toxic analogues, Olson and colleagues synthesized 20 close chemical compounds that preserve the part of the molecule that is considered responsible for useful properties, but without side groups associated with side effects. After testing the new substances, the scientists chose the most promising – tabernanthalog (TBG).
Experiments on cell cultures of neurons, as well as on live laboratory rodents, have confirmed that TBG stimulates the formation of dendritic spines without causing visible side effects. TBG also removed cravings for alcohol and heroin in model mice and rats "hooked" on these drugs. The authors note that the molecule did not lead to the activation of pleasure centers, which means that it should not potentially cause addiction.
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