Mystical experiences during magnesium-Ibogaine are associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms in veterans.
Randi Brown, Jennifer I. Lissemore, Kenneth Shinozuka, John P. Coetzee, Afik Faerman, Clayton Olash, Andrew Geoly, Derrick M. Buchanan, Kirsten Cherian, Anna Chaiken, Ahmed Shamma, Malvika Sridhar, Saron Hunegnaw, Noriah Johnson, Camarin E. Rolle, Maheen M. Adamson, Nolan Williams
Journal of Affective Disorders November 18, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.120722 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 30 |
| Population | Male Veterans with traumatic brain injury from repeated blast/combat exposures |
| Intervention | Magnesium-ibogaine therapy |
| Duration | 1-month follow-up |
| Topics | Ibogaine Mystical experience PTSD |
| Keywords | Ibogaine-magnesium Mistic Peak alpha frequency Ibogaine treatment Therapeutic benefits Intense mystical experiences |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Greater intensity of mystical experiences during magnesium-ibogaine therapy was associated with larger reductions in PTSD severity both immediately and one month after treatment, and with larger reductions in peak alpha frequency one month after treatment. |
Abstract
Ibogaine is an atypical psychedelic that evokes unique subjective effects, including mystical experiences. Mystical experiences have shown a mediating effect on clinical improvements following treatment with several psychedelic substances; however, the relationship between mystical experiences and clinical outcomes following ibogaine remains unclear. We examined the association between mystical experiences during ibogaine and subsequent changes in PTSD severity. We also explored the relationship between mystical experiences and several electroencephalography (EEG) measures found to underlie some of ibogaine's therapeutic effects. Our study included 30 male Veterans with traumatic brain injury from repeated blast/combat exposures who underwent magnesium-ibogaine therapy. We assessed mystical experiences post-treatment using the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30). PTSD severity and resting-state EEG assessments occurred at baseline and immediately and 1-month post-treatment. In linear mixed models, we used the time by MEQ30 interaction to assess the relationship between MEQ30 and changes in PTSD severity and EEG measures after treatment. Participants reporting greater intensity of mystical experiences following magnesium-ibogaine exhibited larger reductions in PTSD both immediately and one month after treatment (time by MEQ30 interaction for change from baseline: immediate post-treatment Badj = -5.89, padj < 0.001; 1-month post-treatment Badj = -4.45, padj = 0.007). Greater intensity of mystical experiences was also associated with larger reductions in peak alpha frequency one month after treatment (Badj = -0.38, padj = 0.006). These findings suggest that mystical experiences may contribute to improvements in PTSD following magnesium-ibogaine. Greater mystical experiences during ibogaine treatment may also be related to persisting decreases in peak alpha frequency.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes. Adults with DSM-IV opioid dependence | 2018 | Observational study | n = 30 |
| Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study. Individuals receiving legal ibogaine treatment for opioid dependence in New Zealand | 2018 | Observational study | n = 14 |
| Ibogaine: complex pharmacokinetics, concerns for safety, and preliminary efficacy measures. Drug-dependent persons undergoing inpatient detoxification | 2000 | Observational study | |
| Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: a retrospective study. Former alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and crack users (72% poly-drug users) | 2014 | Retrospective analysis | n = 75 |
| Magnesium-ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Male Special Operations Forces veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injury | 2024 | Prospective observational study | n = 30 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Psychoplastogens to Reduce Persistent Cognitive Symptoms for Traumatic Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition Journal of Neurotrauma October 19, 2026
- Toward a nuanced framework for the medical development of ibogaine and its analogues and derivatives: implications for psychopharmacology Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery July 4, 2026
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