Molecular target
NMDA Glutamate Receptor
Ionotropic glutamate receptor central to learning, memory, and pain modulation. Antagonism (memantine, ketamine) is anesthetic, anti-Alzheimer, and antidepressant. Methadone has weak NMDA antagonist activity contributing to its analgesic profile distinct from other opioids.
Educational use only. This page summarizes published research and traditional-use records for educational purposes. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Do not start, stop, or change medications based on this information. Discuss any decisions about therapies — pharmaceutical or botanical — with a qualified clinician who knows your medical history.
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Pharmaceutical agents
Drugs that act on NMDA Glutamate Receptor
These medications have NMDA Glutamate Receptor among their molecular targets. Sharing a target is a mechanistic relationship — it does not make any plant below an alternative to, or substitute for, these drugs.
Botanical connections
Plants whose compounds act on NMDA Glutamate Receptor
Each plant below contains a named compound documented to act on NMDA Glutamate Receptor. The compound and the reason for the connection are shown on every edge — a shared mechanism, not a therapeutic equivalence.
- IbogaineIndole alkaloid (iboga-type)
Multi-target alkaloid — proposed μ-opioid antagonist or partial agonist, κ-opioid agonist, NMDA antagonist, SERT inhibitor, σ receptor binding, neurotrophic effects via GDNF upregulation. The 'visioning' phase of an ibogaine session lasts 12-36 hours. **QT prolongation** is the dominant safety concern.
- Tabernanthine, ibogamineIndole alkaloid
Auxiliary alkaloids in iboga root bark; mechanism contribution secondary to ibogaine.
- Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) — notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1Triterpenoid saponins
Studies report multi-target activity: inhibition of NF-κB–mediated neuroinflammation, modulation of thromboxane A2 and arachidonic acid pathways to attenuate platelet aggregation, nitric oxide/cGMP pathway modulation, NMDA receptor involvement in neuroprotection, and L-type calcium channel effects relevant to cardiovascular research contexts.
- Ginsenosides (Rb1, Rg1, Re)Triterpenoid saponins
Preclinical studies indicate interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and NMDA glutamate receptors; HPA-axis modulation has been proposed as a mechanism underlying reported effects on fatigue and cognition. Evidence is largely preclinical.