The Kappa Opioid Receptor and the Sleep of Reason: Cortico-Subcortical Imbalance Following Salvinorin-A.
Genís Ona, Frederic Sampedro, Sergio Romero, Marta Valle, Valle Camacho, Carolina Migliorelli, Miguel Ángel Mañanas, Rosa María Antonijoan, Montserrat Puntes, Jimena Coimbra, María Rosa Ballester, Maite Garrido, Jordi Riba
The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology January 12, 2022 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab063 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Placebo-controlled Double-blind Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Salvinorin-A |
| Topics | Salvia divinorum |
| Keywords | Kappa opioid receptor Spect Hallucinogens Opioids Salvinorin-a salvinorin-a Unique opioid Interaction Brain mechanisms Neuroimaging EEG Brain activity Electrical rhythms Blood flow Vivid experiences Dissociative experiences Psychotomimetic effects |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | Salvinorin-A, a selective kappa opioid receptor agonist, produces psychotomimetic effects with increased delta and gamma waves, decreased alpha waves, and widespread reductions in cortical cerebral blood flow, along with increases in medial temporal lobe regions. |
Abstract
The mechanisms through which kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists induce psychotomimetic effects are largely unknown, although the modulation of this receptor has attracted attention for its clinical use. In this work, we characterize the neuropharmacological effects of salvinorin-A, a highly selective KOR agonist. Changes in multimodal electroencephalography, single-photon emission computed tomography, and subjective effects following the acute administration of salvinorin-A are reported. The study included 2 sub-studies that employed a double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled design. The electroencephalography measures showed a marked increase in delta and gamma waves and a decrease in alpha waves while subjects were under the effect of salvinorin-A. Regarding single-photon emission computed tomography measures, significant decreases in regional cerebral blood flow were detected in multiple regions of the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices. Significant regional cerebral blood flow increases were observed in some regions of the medial temporal lobe, including the amygdala, the hippocampal gyrus, and the cerebellum. The pattern of subjective effects induced by salvinorin-A was similar to those observed in relation to other psychotomimetic drugs but with an evidently dissociative nature. No dysphoric effects were reported. The salvinorin-A-mediated KOR agonism induced dramatic psychotomimetic effects along with a generalized decrease in cerebral blood flow and electric activity within the cerebral cortex.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on salvia divinorum, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
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- Exploring 5-MeO-DMT as a pharmacological model for deconstructed consciousness. Neuroscience of Consciousness 2025
- Tripping to Cope: Coping Strategies and Use of Hallucinogens during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Three Cultural Contexts Psychoactives September 2, 2022
- Update of the Altered States Database (ASDB): 2022-12-31 February 22, 2023
and 1 more in the library
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and 25 more in the library