Npj mental health research
January 31, 2026
Clayton Olash, Derrick Matthew Buchanan, Randi Brown et al.
1 citation
A single open-label magnesium-ibogaine treatment prompted four recurring experiential themes among 30 male U.S. Special Operations veterans with TBI and PTSD: guided replay of autobiographical memories that allowed trauma reappraisal; altered-self and mystical connectedness; emotional resolution marked by surges of forgiveness, love, and renewed purpose; and embodied healing with a vivid sense of neural repair, cognitive clarity, and somatic relief. These themes describe an accelerated, self-directed psychotherapeutic process that aligns with previously reported clinical improvements in the same cohort, suggesting mind-body mechanisms involving rapid neuroplastic change.
Addiction (Abingdon, England)
January 20, 2026
Tibor Markus Brunt
2 citations
Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid, reduces craving and withdrawal symptoms in opioid and cocaine-dependent individuals through multiple pharmacological mechanisms, as shown by observational, open-label, and limited randomized placebo-controlled trials. However, it poses a rare but clinically significant cardiotoxic risk: QTc prolongation and potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias like Torsades des Pointes, which have occurred at therapeutic doses even in people without pre-existing cardiac conditions. Large interindividual variability in CYP2D6 metabolism may increase cardiovascular risk for some. Recent safety efforts include different dosing, cardiovascular monitoring, and developing ibogaine analogues that retain anti-addictive effects without cardiotoxicity in preclinical models. Future treatment should occur under controlled medical supervision with CYP2D6 genotyping and rigorous cardiac monitoring.
Journal of addiction medicine
January 15, 2026
Dale Terasaki, Nathan Sackett, Andrew Monte
Ibogaine, a psychedelic substance, is attracting interest as a potential treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD), with many states funding research. Some proponents frame ibogaine as an alternative to standard, mortality-reducing medications for OUD (MOUD), rather than as a complement. The path to remission varies, but switching from methadone or buprenorphine to an unproven therapy like ibogaine could increase the risk of opioid overdose for some individuals. The addiction medicine community should be aware of this risk and continue to defend evidence-based care while ibogaine is developed.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
January 6, 2026
Tobias Erny, Elba Yatziri Cano Montenegro, Joern Barth et al.
A 52-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease who was becoming less responsive to standard treatment took daily low doses of ibogaine hydrochloride (up to 75 mg) for 80 days. After treatment, she showed substantial improvements in motor symptoms, quality of life, fatigue, and depression, as measured by validated clinical scales. However, her sleep quality declined, possibly due to ibogaine's stimulant effects. She also reported fewer freezing episodes, better mobility, more energy, and greater optimism. No adverse events occurred. This first case study using validated instruments suggests ibogaine may alleviate Parkinson's symptoms, but larger controlled trials are needed.