A Non-Hallucinogenic Psychedelic Analog for Treating Mental Illness

In a recent Nature publication, the Olson Lab used function-oriented synthesis to engineer tabernanthalog (TBG)—a non-hallucinogenic, non-cardiotoxic analog of the psychedelic ibogaine.  In addition to having an improved safety profile, TBG promoted neuroplasticity and demonstrated both antidepressant and antiaddictive properties.  This work highlights the power of synthetic organic chemistry for solving problems in neuroscience and medicine.

More information at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-3008-z

An article in Chemical & Engineering News covering this publication is available at https://cen.acs.org/pharmaceuticals/drug-discovery/Ibogaine-inspires-potential-neuropsychiatric-treatment/98/web/2020/12

Check out the UC Davis press release at https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/new-compound-related-psychedelic-ibogaine-could-treat-addiction-depression