The adverse events of ibogaine in humans: an updated systematic review of the literature (2015-2020).
Genís Ona, Juliana Mendes Rocha, José Carlos Bouso, Jaime E. C. Hallak, Tre Borràs, Maria Teresa Colomina, Rafael G. Dos Santos
Psychopharmacology June 1, 2022 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05964-y (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ibogaine |
| Keywords | Adverse events Drug interactions Ibogaine risks Noribogaine safety Careful use Safety protocols Medication interactions Pharmacodynamic interactions Pharmacokinetic interactions Side effects Complications Dangers Health risks Cardiac events Gastrointestinal events Neurological events |
| Citations | 41 |
| Key findings | Adverse events associated with ibogaine/noribogaine administration include acute effects and persistent cardiac, psychiatric, and neurological alterations, but causation cannot be clearly established due to the predominance of case reports and non-controlled settings. |
Abstract
Ibogaine is the main alkaloid of the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. It produces hallucinogenic and psychostimulant effects, but it is currently known for the anti-addictive properties. Despite the potential therapeutic effects, several cases of fatalities and serious adverse events related to ibogaine/noribogaine use can be found in the literature. Most studies consist in case reports or were conducted under non-controlled settings, so causation cannot be clearly established. To update (2015-2020) the literature on the adverse events and fatalities associated with ibogaine/noribogaine administration. Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Eighteen studies were included in the final selection. Highly heterogeneous results were found in terms of kind of product used or the known dosages. The adverse events were classified in acute effects ( 24 h), mainly persistent cardiac alterations, psychiatric, and neurological signs. There is a high need of phase I clinical trials that can describe the safety of different dosages of ibogaine with standardized products. Further research should perform clinical profiling of vulnerable populations, and design effective screening methods and clinical procedures.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on ibogaine, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatalities temporally associated with the ingestion of ibogaine. Individuals who died after ibogaine use outside West Central Africa | 2012 | Systematic review | n = 19 |
| A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine. Individuals receiving ibogaine or noribogaine for substance use disorders | 2022 | Systematic review | n = 705 |
| Ibogaine and addiction in the animal model, a systematic review and meta-analysis. Animals in studies of substance use disorders | 2016 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 27 |
| United States National Institutes of Health grant funding for psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical trials from 2006-2020. | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| The antiaddictive effects of ibogaine: A systematic literature review of human studies Human studies assessing antiaddictive effects of ibogaine | 2017 | Systematic review | n = 8 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 35
- Adverse events in clinical treatments with serotonergic psychedelics and MDMA: A mixed-methods systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology August 26, 2022
- Magnesium-ibogaine therapy in veterans with traumatic brain injuries. Nature Medicine February 1, 2024
- Psychedelic therapies reconsidered: compounds, clinical indications, and cautious optimism. Neuropsychopharmacology July 21, 2023
- 5-MeO-DMT: An atypical psychedelic with unique pharmacology, phenomenology & risk? Psychopharmacology December 11, 2023
- Identifying setting factors associated with improved ibogaine safety: a systematic review of clinical studies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience October 1, 2023
and 30 more in the library
Cites 36
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- The ibogaine medical subculture. Journal of Ethnopharmacology January 4, 2008
- Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse 2018
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and 31 more in the library