Ibogaine and Noribogaine
The Oxford Handbook of Opioids and Opioid Use Disorder December 18, 2023 Deborah C. Mash, Michael Karukin
Ibogaine, a compound from the Tabernanthe iboga plant, has been used anecdotally since the 1960s to block opioid withdrawal and promote drug-free abstinence after a single oral dose, though it has never been tested in human clinical trials. This chapter reviews open-label evidence suggesting ibogaine may help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms and facilitate abstinence, while also discussing its complex mechanism of action related to mu-opioid receptor adaptations. The unregulated use of ibogaine in for-profit clinics raises serious safety concerns. The drug's future as a treatment depends on controlled trials that clarify its benefits, risks, and safety.