"Herbal seizures"--atypical symptoms after ibogaine intoxication: a case report.
Lorenz Breuer, Burkhard S Kasper, Bernd Schwarze, Juergen M Gschossmann, Johannes Kornhuber, Helge H Müller
Journal of medical case reports October 31, 2015 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-015-0731-4 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 22-year-old man developed visual memories, nausea, vomiting, and generalized tonic-clonic seizures with additional grand mal seizures after taking a cumulative 38 g dose of ibogaine in two doses. He was treated with midazolam and levetiracetam; drug screenings and brain imaging were negative. Knowledge of ibogaine's side effects 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 22-year-old white man |
| Interventions | midazolam levetiracetam |
| Dose | 38 g (taken in two doses) |
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Seizures Convulsions Neurological dangers Neurological issues |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key finding | High-dose ibogaine (cumulative 38 g) can cause generalized tonic-clonic seizures, suggesting it acts as a proconvulsive drug at high doses. |
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.