Neuropharmacology
September 1, 2007
Catherine B Willmore-Fordham, Daniel M Krall, Christopher R Mccurdy et al.
49 citations
Salvinorin A, a plant-derived hallucinogen, acts through the kappa-opioid receptor system, producing effects such as pain relief, sedation, dysphoria, and distorted perceptions. In experiments with male rats trained to recognize a known kappa-opioid agonist, salvinorin A fully substituted for that agonist at three different doses without altering response rates. A kappa-selective antagonist blocked this substitution, confirming the receptor mechanism. These findings support salvinorin A's potential for therapeutic developments, including pain relief, while also raising public concern about its misuse.
Behavioural pharmacology
October 1, 2012
Mitchell T Harden, Staci E Smith, Jennifer A Niehoff et al.
37 citations
Salvinorin A (SalvA), a compound from the plant Salvia divinorum that activates κ-opioid receptors, may have antidepressant effects. In a study using male and female Long-Evans rats, chronic mild stress (CMS) for three weeks reduced their preference for sucrose water, indicating anhedonia, a key symptom of depression. After three more weeks of CMS, rats given daily injections of 1 mg SalvA per kilogram of body weight showed a reversal of this anhedonia, while control rats did not. Nonstressed rats given the same dose showed no change in sucrose preference. The findings suggest that chronic SalvA treatment acts as an effective antidepressant in this animal model.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Chad J Reissig, Ling Chen, Srikanth C Nallani et al.
1 citation
A single dose of kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia, produced some opioid-like effects in recreational polydrug users with opioid experience. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 40 participants, kratom at doses of 3 grams or more caused pupil constriction, and the 12 gram dose increased ratings of drug liking, good effects, and high. No deaths or serious adverse events occurred; the most common side effects were somnolence, vomiting, and nausea. The findings suggest kratom can produce effects associated with drugs of abuse, but results may not apply to other kratom products.
Pharmacological reports : PR
April 1, 2026
Elmira Zolali, Mallory Burns, Sebastiano Intagliata et al.
Combining the sigma1 receptor antagonist CM304 with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) enhances pain relief without worsening THC's side effects. In mice, CM304 increased the pain-blocking effect of THC and caused greater body temperature drops when combined. A high dose of CM304 alone reduced movement. In rats, CM304 made THC's pain relief more potent. CM304 did not produce THC-like effects in rats trained to recognize THC, nor did it amplify THC's subjective effects. The findings suggest sigma1 receptor antagonists could be safer adjuncts to cannabinoid-based pain treatments, offering pain relief without increasing adverse effects like sedation or abuse potential.