Fatal case of a 27-year-old male after taking iboga in withdrawal treatment: GC-MS/MS determination of ibogaine and ibogamine in iboga roots and postmortem biological material.
Journal of forensic sciences – November 01, 2013
Source: PubMed
Summary
Forensic science recently demonstrated its precision in a fatal case linked to *Tabernanthe iboga* root, often used for withdrawal. Using advanced gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, forensic toxicology experts accurately identified and quantified significant levels of ibogaine and ibogamine in the man's system. This critical analysis confirmed poisoning from the iboga, especially when combined with other therapeutic drugs, providing clear insights into the cause of death.
Abstract
We report the case of a man who died twelve hours after ingesting powdered iboga root, commonly taken for its stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. Ibogaine and ibogamine were quantified in the powder ingested and the victim's body fluids by GC-MS/MS after liquid-liquid extraction (Toxi-tubes A(®)). The concentrations of ibogaine measured in the blood samples taken at the scene and in the peripheral blood, urine, and gastric fluid samples taken during the autopsy were 0.65, 1.27, 1.7, and 53.5 μg/mL, while the iboga content in the powder was 7.2%. Moreover, systematic toxicological analyses of biological samples showed the presence of diazepam and methadone in therapeutic concentrations. Death was attributed to the ingestion of a substantial quantity of iboga in the context of simultaneous methadone and diazepam consumption.