Ibogaine for Opioid Use Disorder: An Unrecognized Risk.
Dale Terasaki, Nathan Sackett, Andrew A. Monte
Journal of Addiction Medicine January 15, 2026 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001645 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with opioid use disorder |
| Topics | Addiction Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Buprenorphine Detoxification Methadone Overdose Psychedelics Tapering |
| Key points | Argues that framing ibogaine as an alternative to standard MOUD could increase overdose risk for some individuals, and that the addiction medicine community should defend evidence-based care. |
Abstract
The psychedelic substance, ibogaine, has garnered growing interest among policymakers, researchers, and the public in its potential use for opioid use disorder (OUD). Many states are allocating significant funds to investigate it further. However, some proponents of ibogaine are framing it in opposition to (versus complementary to) standard, mortality-reducing medications for OUD (MOUD). Although the path to OUD remission and recovery varies greatly among individuals, the stakes are high: "detoxification" from methadone or buprenorphine in favor of an as-yet unproven therapy like ibogaine could result in an increased risk of opioid overdose for some. The addiction medicine community should be aware of this potential risk and defend evidence-based care, even as treatments like ibogaine are developed for OUD.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Argues that framing ibogaine as an alternative to standard medications for opioid use disorder could increase overdose risk for some individuals, and that the addiction medicine community should defend evidence-based care.
Synthesized