"Herbal seizures"--atypical symptoms after ibogaine intoxication: a case report.
Journal of medical case reports – October 31, 2015
Source: PubMed
Summary
A striking case reveals unexpected neurological dangers linked to high-dose ibogaine. While its misuse grows, knowledge of side effects beyond cardiovascular issues is sparse. A 22-year-old experienced severe seizures, visual memories, and nausea after taking a cumulative 38g dose. Standard tests were negative, indicating ibogaine triggered these convulsions. This significantly advances our understanding of ibogaine's potential to cause seizures at high doses, crucial for safety.
Abstract
Misuse of various new psychotropic substances such as ibogaine is increasing rapidly. Knowledge of their negative side effects is sparse. We present a case of intoxication with the herbal substance ibogaine in a 22-year-old white man. After taking a cumulative dose of 38 g (taken in two doses), he developed visual memories, nausea and vomiting. He developed a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with additional grand mal seizures. He was treated with midazolam and levetiracetam. Extended drug screenings and computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were all negative. Knowledge of the side effects of ibogaine has mainly come from reports of cardiovascular complications; seizures are rarely mentioned and experimental findings are inconsistent. It seems that ibogaine acts like a proconvulsive drug at high doses.