Substance guideSubstances 1 min read
Ibogaine: what it is, the risks, and the law
Ibogaine is a long-acting psychedelic from the iboga shrub, studied for opioid use disorder and traumatic brain injury. It carries real heart risks and is illegal under US federal law.
PsiloAtlas editorial · AI-assisted information, not clinical review · Reviewed 2026-10-12
What it is
Ibogaine comes from the root bark of Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to Central West Africa. Effects can last 24 to 36 hours.
What the research shows
A 2024 Stanford study in Nature Medicine of 30 US special operations veterans given ibogaine with magnesium (to protect the heart) reported large reductions in PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms after one month. It was a small, open-label study without a control group.
Risks
Ibogaine can lengthen the heart's QT interval, which can trigger fatal arrhythmias. Deaths have been reported, often in unscreened people or those using other drugs. Reputable programs require an ECG, blood work and medical supervision.
Legal status
Ibogaine is listed in Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 CFR 1308.11), so possessing or supplying it is a federal crime in every state.
In 2025 Texas passed SB 2308, funding FDA-track clinical trials of ibogaine. Several other states have funded research. No US state allows ibogaine treatment outside approved research.