Case report: Significant lesion reduction and neural structural changes following ibogaine treatments for multiple sclerosis.
David Qixiang Chen, José Adalberto Inzunza Domínguez, Juan Manuel Valle Uzeta, Abhiram P Pushparaj, Jonathan Dickinson
Frontiers in Immunology 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1535782 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Multiple sclerosis patients |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Multiple sclerosis Neuroimaging Neuroregeneration Psychedelic medicine |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Ibogaine treatment was associated with lesion shrinkage and neuroimaging changes suggestive of remyelination and reduced inflammation in two MS patients. |
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by demyelination and neuronal loss. Traditional therapies often fail to halt disease progression or reverse neurological deficits. Ibogaine, a psychoactive alkaloid, has been proposed as a potential neuroregenerative agent due to its multifaceted pharmacological profile. We present two case studies of MS patients who underwent a novel ibogaine treatment, highlighting significant neuroimaging changes and clinical improvements. Patient A demonstrated substantial lesion shrinkage and decreased Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) values, suggesting remyelination and reduced inflammation. Both patients exhibited cortical and subcortical alterations, particularly in regions associated with pain and emotional processing. These findings suggest that ibogaine may promote neuroplasticity and modulate neurocircuitry involved in MS pathology.
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 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Psychedelics in Multiple Sclerosis: Mechanisms, Challenges, and Prospects for Neuroimmune Modulation and Repair. Cells November 26, 2025
- Psychoplastogens to Reduce Persistent Cognitive Symptoms for Traumatic Brain Injury as a Chronic Condition Journal of Neurotrauma October 19, 2026
- Classic Psychedelics for Treating Chronic Pain: Mechanism and Clinical Translation Molecules July 27, 2026
- Thirty Years of Ibogaine Research: A Literature Review on Clinical Perspectives. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Cites 15
- Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Mediates the Desirable Actions of the Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine against Alcohol Consumption Journal of Neuroscience January 19, 2005
- GDNF is a fast-acting potent inhibitor of alcohol consumption and relapse. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 10, 2008
- The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: A Delicate Relation Molecules January 29, 2015
- Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence. Current Drug Abuse Reviews March 1, 2013
- Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences March 1, 2012
and 10 more in the library