"Herbal seizures"--atypical symptoms after ibogaine intoxication: a case report.
Lorenz Breuer, Burkhard S Kasper, Bernd Schwarze, Juergen M Gschossmann, Johannes Kornhuber, Helge H. O. Müller
Journal of Medical Case Reports October 31, 2015 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-015-0731-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 22-year-old white man |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Dose | 38 g cumulative, taken in two doses |
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Seizures Convulsions Neurological dangers Neurological issues Drug safety Side effects Adverse effects Crucial for safety High-dose Cumulative 38g dose High doses |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | 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.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of acute opioid withdrawal with ibogaine. Patients undergoing opioid detoxification with ibogaine in non-medical settings | 1999 | Case series | n = 33 |
| A preliminary investigation of ibogaine: case reports and recommendations for further study. Individuals addicted to opiates | 1994 | Case series | n = 7 |
| Long-QT Syndrome Induced by the Antiaddiction Drug Ibogaine A 31-year-old woman | 2009 | Case study | n = 1 |
| Distribution of ibogaine and noribogaine in a man following a poisoning involving root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub. 48-year-old Caucasian male with a history of drug abuse who died after ingesting... | 2006 | Case study | n = 1 |
| A case report SPECT study and theoretical rationale for the sequential administration of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. 31-year-old male military veteran with moderate alcohol use disorder | 2018 | Case study | n = 1 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential. Nature 2021
- DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Ibogaine ACS Chemical Neuroscience September 14, 2018
- Ibogaine as a treatment for substance misuse: Potential benefits and practical dangers. Progress in Brain Research 2018
- Safety of ibogaine administration in detoxification of opioid-dependent individuals: a descriptive open-label observational study. Addiction 2022
- The adverse events of ibogaine in humans: an updated systematic review of the literature (2015-2020). Psychopharmacology June 1, 2022
and 8 more in the library
Cites 10
- The ibogaine medical subculture. Journal of Ethnopharmacology January 4, 2008
- Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence. Current Drug Abuse Reviews March 1, 2013
- Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences March 1, 2012
- NMDA antagonist properties of the putative antiaddictive drug, ibogaine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics November 1, 1995
- Serotonergic hallucinogens and emerging targets for addiction pharmacotherapies. Psychiatric Clinics of North America June 1, 2012
and 5 more in the library