U.S. Government to Review Psychedelic Drug Ibogaine for PTSD Research
The U.S. administration is preparing an executive order to support federal research on ibogaine, a psychedelic drug used abroad to treat PTSD and other conditions. Ibogaine remains illegal in the U.S. and classified as a Schedule I substance.
Substrate placeholder — needs reviewU.S. government is preparing an executive order to encourage further research into ibogaine, a psychedelic drug used in some countries to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, addiction, and brain trauma. The White House is drafting the order to signal willingness to explore the drug's safety and effectiveness, according to sources cited by CBS News.
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring compound derived from a shrub native to Africa. It is currently illegal in the United States and classified as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), meaning it is considered to have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
As a result, some Americans travel to clinics in Mexico and the Caribbean to receive ibogaine treatment, where regulations and safety protocols vary.
The administration does not plan to reclassify ibogaine at this time. The executive order is intended to open the door for federal funding to support research on the drug’s potential benefits, particularly for veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. The specifics of how the federal government will facilitate this research are still under discussion.
scientific evidence on ibogaine consists mainly of small observational studies and open-label trials.
Only one double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial has been completed, with more advanced trials now beginning. Researchers have noted ibogaine’s potential to address addiction, especially opioid dependence, but emphasize the need for larger clinical trials to establish safety and efficacy. One of the main risks associated with ibogaine is its effect on the heart.
It can cause dangerous heart rhythm disturbances, which have been linked to fatalities. A 2023 review of 24 studies involving 705 participants found that while ibogaine appeared to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, concerns about heart toxicity and risk of death remain. The review reported at least 27 deaths associated with ibogaine use.
