Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT Treatment in Mexico: Adverse Events, Suicidal Ideation, Mental Health, and Psychological Flexibility Among United States Military Veterans
Alan K. Davis, Nathan D. Sepeda, Stacey B. Armstrong, Angela Douglas, Benjamin R. Lewis, Yitong Xin, Tina Romanella, Sara Ellis
Chronic Stress October 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/24705470261503829 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective observational study Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 113 |
| Population | U.S. military Veterans planning to attend ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment in Mexico (95% male; mean age 45.7 years, SD 6.9) |
| Interventions | Ibogaine 5-MeO-DMT |
| Duration | Baseline to 1-week, 3-month, and 9-month post-treatment follow-up |
| Topics | 5-MeO-DMT DMT Ibogaine |
| Key findings | From baseline to 9 months after ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment, Veterans showed significant reductions in PTSD (ηp2 = 0.74), depression (ηp2 = 0.64), anxiety (ηp2 = 0.64), and suicidal ideation (ηp2 = 0.24), with improvements emerging by 1 week and largely remaining stable. Adverse events were transient and infrequent (4–9% per timepoint). Acute psychedelic intensity predicted greater PTSD and anxiety reductions, and psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between acute effects and PTSD improvement. |
Abstract
Background/Objectives Retrospective survey and clinical chart review studies have demonstrated the real-world effectiveness of ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in addressing a range of mental health challenges among military Veterans in the United States (US), but no prospective research study has examined safety and effectiveness in this population. Design/Methods We prospectively followed Veterans (n=113; male=95%; Age=45.7 [SD=6.9]) planning to attend an ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment in Mexico to evaluate safety (i.e., adverse events and suicidal ideation), mental health outcomes (post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, and anxiety symptoms; psychological flexibility) from baseline (i.e., pre-treatment) to 1-week, 3-months, and 9-months post-treatment, and to explore whether changes in psychological flexibility mediated relationships between acute drug effects and mental health outcomes.
Results: Adverse events were transient and infrequent (4–9% per timepoint). Significant reductions in PTSD (η p 2 = 0.74), depression (η p 2 = 0.64), anxiety (η p 2 = 0.64), and suicidal ideation (η p 2 = 0.24) were reported from baseline through 9-months (all p s < .001), with improvements emerging by 1-week and largely remaining stable through follow-up. Acute psychedelic experience intensity predicted greater PTSD and anxiety reductions, and psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between acute effects and PTSD improvement.
Conclusion: Despite the lack of objective reports, data suggest ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment is experienced as safe and has potential to provide prolonged improvements in self-reported mental health conditions among Veterans, with durable effects for up to 9-months. Future randomized controlled trials with larger, more diverse populations are urgently needed before this treatment is made available in the US.
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
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- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
and 35 more in the library