Clinical and forensic aspects of ibogaine
Open Repository of the University of Porto (University of Porto) May 28, 2020 DOI: 10.34626/bd58-ec46 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Pharmacology |
| Key findings | Ibogaine shows efficacy in decreasing drug-seeking behavior and opioid withdrawal symptoms but has been linked to over 30 deaths since 1990, likely from cardiac effects. |
Abstract
Ibogaine is a natural indole alkaloid derived from the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga used in the treatment of psychoactive substance abuse. There has been made an extensive search regarding ibogaine's historical context, clinical and forensic features. Ibogaine's consumption was made illegal in several countries due to its hallucinogenic and cardiotoxic effects. It has shown to act on a variety of sites in the central nervous system and in the heart. Most of these mechanisms seem to explain ibogaine's efficacy in decreasing drug-seeking behavior and opioid withdrawal symptoms. However, it has been related to more than 30 deaths since 1990 which seem to be caused by the effects in cardiac receptors. Many factors appear to explain ibogaine late effects including the long half-life of its active metabolite, noribogaine; accumulation of ibogaine in adipose tissue; and the existence of poor metabolizers. Therefore, it is necessary to further study the potential medical uses of ibogaine as well as its adverse effects.