An oneirogen (from the Greek ὄνειρος óneiros meaning "dream" and gen "to create") is a drug that induces a dream-like state of consciousness, also known as oneirophrenia.

Etymology

The term oneirogen, oneirophrenic, or oneiric, was introduced to refer specifically to ibogaine- and harmaline-type hallucinogens by William Turner and Claudio Naranjo in the 1960s and 1970s. Subsequently, the term has also sometimes been used to refer to non-hallucinogenic drugs that facilitate dreaming.

Hallucinogenic oneirogens

Hallucinogenic oneirogens include the following: For example, ibogaine is a cyclized derivative of 5-MeO-DMT, while harmaline is a cyclized derivative of 6-MeO-DMT. However, the precise mechanism of action of oneirogens like ibogaine, or whether their hallucinogenic effects are due to multiple concomitant activities, are unknown. In addition, ibogaine does not produce the head-twitch response, a behavioral proxy of serotonergic psychedelic effects, in rodents. However, harmala alkaloids like harmaline do not interact with the κ-opioid receptor. Similarly, the NMDA receptor and the sigma σ<sub>1</sub> receptor do not appear to be involved in the subjective effects of ibogaine based on animal studies.

  • Entada rheedei ("African dream bean") It has been found to contain harmala and iboga type alkaloids.
  • Galantamine was shown to increase lucid dreaming by 27% at 4&nbsp;mg and 42% at 8&nbsp;mg in a 2018 double-blind study lasting three nights.
  • Melatonin receptor agonists like melatonin and ramelteon may cause vivid dreams as a side effect

Non-pharmacological

  • Mindfulness practices could be useful in achieving lucid dream.
  • Sleep deprivation can make dreams more intense, which is caused by REM rebound effect

See also

  • List of hallucinogens
  • List of investigational hallucinogens and entactogens
  • Oneiromancy
  • Oneirophrenia

References

Further reading

  • Oneirogens: Substances That Make You Dream (Natural & Synthetic) - TripSitter