Ibogaine and addiction in the animal model, a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Maarten Belgers, M Leenaars, Judith R. Homberg, M Ritskes-Hoitinga, Arnt Schellekens, C R Hooijmans
Translational Psychiatry May 31, 2016 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2016.71 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Animals in studies of substance use disorders |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Topics | Addiction Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Addiction treatment Drug self-administration reduction Curbing addictive behaviors Reducing substance use Substance abuse Animal studies In animals Preclinical research Animal model Side effects Temporary motor impairment Cerebral cell loss Adverse effects Safety |
| Citations | 64 |
| Key findings | Ibogaine reduced drug self-administration in animal models, particularly during the first 24 hours after administration, but had no effect on drug-induced conditioned place preference and caused motor impairment and cerebral cell loss. |
Abstract
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring substance which has been increasingly used in the lay-scene to reduce craving and relapse in patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). Although human clinical trials on the safety and efficacy of ibogaine are lacking, animal studies do support the efficacy of ibogaine. In this systematic review and meta-analysis (MA), we summarise these animal findings, addressing three questions: (1) does ibogaine reduce addictive behaviour in animal models of SUDs?; (2) what are the toxic effects of ibogaine on motor functioning, cerebellum and heart rhythm?; (3) what are neuropharmacological working mechanisms of ibogaine treatment in animal models of SUDs? MA of 27 studies showed that ibogaine reduced drug self-administration, particularly during the first 24 h after administration. Ibogaine had no effect on drug-induced conditioned place preference. Ibogaine administration resulted in motor impairment in the first 24 h after supplementation, and cerebral cell loss even weeks after administration. Data on ibogaines effect on cardiac rhythm, as well as on its neuropharmacological working mechanisms are limited. Our results warrant further studies into the clinical efficacy of ibogaine in SUD patients in reducing craving and substance use, but close monitoring of the patients is recommended because of the possible toxic effects. In addition, more work is needed to unravel the neuropharmacological working mechanisms of ibogaine and to investigate its effects on heart rhythm.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ibogaine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine. Individuals receiving ibogaine or noribogaine for substance use disorders | 2022 | Systematic review | n = 705 |
| The antiaddictive effects of ibogaine: A systematic literature review of human studies Human studies assessing antiaddictive effects of ibogaine | 2017 | Systematic review | n = 8 |
| Ibogaine/Noribogaine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: ASystematic Review of the Current Literature | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| The therapeutic effects of psychedelics for opioid use disorder: A systematic review of clinical studies. | 2025 | Systematic review | |
| A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Investigating the Efficacy of Various Psychedelic Drugs for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder. Human beings with a substance use disorder | 2025 | Meta-analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 52
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Serotonin transporter-ibogaine complexes illuminate mechanisms of inhibition and transport. Nature May 1, 2019
- Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2018
- Ibogaine Detoxification Transitions Opioid and Cocaine Abusers Between Dependence and Abstinence: Clinical Observations and Treatment Outcomes. Frontiers in Pharmacology 2018
- Safety of ibogaine administration in detoxification of opioid-dependent individuals: a descriptive open-label observational study. Addiction 2022
and 47 more in the library
Cites 31
- Degeneration of Purkinje cells in parasagittal zones of the cerebellar vermis after treatment with ibogaine or harmaline. Neuroscience July 1, 1993
- Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine. American Journal on Addictions 1999
- Effects of iboga alkaloids on morphine and cocaine self-administration in rats: relationship to tremorigenic effects and to effects on dopamine release in nucleus accumbens and striatum. Brain Research September 19, 1994
- The ibogaine medical subculture. Journal of Ethnopharmacology January 4, 2008
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediates the Desirable Actions of the Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine against Alcohol Consumption Journal of Neuroscience January 19, 2005
and 26 more in the library