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Mania following use of ibogaine: A case series.

Cole Marta, Wesley C Ryan, Alex Kopelowicz, Ralph J. Koek

American Journal on Addictions April 1, 2015 DOI: 10.1111/ajad.12209 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case series Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 3
Population Psychiatric emergency room patients who used unregulated ibogaine
Intervention Ibogaine
Topics Ibogaine
Keywords Ibogaine therapy Psychoactive drug Addiction treatment substance Mania Manic episodes Psychiatric side effects Bipolar-like symptoms Opiate dependence treatment Substance abuse therapy Drug rehabilitation Drug safety Adverse drug reactions Substance risks Unregulated use risks Clinical considerations
Citations 17
Key findings Ibogaine ingestion was temporally associated with the development of mania in three patients with no prior bipolar diagnosis.

Abstract

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring hallucinogen with postulated anti-addictive qualities. While illegal domestically, a growing number of individuals have sought it out for treatment of opiate dependence, primarily in poorly regulated overseas clinics. Existing serious adverse events include cardiac and vestibular toxicity, though ours is the first report of mania stemming from its use. To report on a case series of psychiatric emergency room patients whose unregulated use of ibogaine resulted in mania in three patients with no prior diagnosis of bipolar illness. Review and summarize charts of three cases. Relevant literature was also reviewed for discussion. Two cases of reported ibogaine ingestion for self-treatment of addictions, and one for psycho-spiritual experimentation resulted in symptoms consistent with mania. No prior reports of mania were found in the literature, and the literature suggests growing popularity of ibogaine's use. The three cases presented demonstrate a temporal association between ibogaine ingestion and subsequent development of mania. In light of these cases, clinicians faced with a new onset mania may benefit from careful substance use and treatment history, specifically regarding opiates. In the vulnerable and often desperate addiction population, in particular, the number of patients seeking this treatment appears to be growing. We advise clinicians to be prepared for discussing the safety, efficacy, and paucity of good data regarding ibogaine with patients who may be considering its use. (Am J Addict 2015;24:203-205).

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

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Ibogaine Addiction