A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine
This systematic review (2021) explores clinical trials involving ibogaine and noribogaine. Across the number of trials included, a total of 705 individuals were treated with either ibogaine or noribogaine. It was found that such interventions may be useful for treating substance use disorders, alleviating withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Importantly, a number of severe side effects, including death, that have been recorded in the trials are discussed.
Authors
- Köck, P.
- Frölich, K.
- Walter, M.
Published
Abstract
Background
Iboga and its primary alkaloids, ibogaine and noribogaine, have been of interest to researchers and practitioners, mainly due to their putative efficacy in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). For many SUDs, still, no effective pharmacotherapies exist. Distinct psychoactive and somatic effects of the iboga alkaloids set them apart from classic hallucinogens like LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin.
Aims
The study team performed this systematic review focusing on clinical data and therapeutic interventions involving ibogaine and noribogaine.
Methods
The team conducted a search for all publications up to December 7, 2020, using PubMed and Embase following PRISMA guidelines.
Results
In total, we identified 743 records. In this review, we consider 24 studies, which included 705 individuals receiving ibogaine or noribogaine. This review includes two randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials, one double-blind controlled clinical trial, 17 open-label studies or case series (including observational or retrospective studies), three case reports, and one retrospective survey. The published data suggest that ibogaine is an effective therapeutic intervention within the context of SUDs, reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Data also point toward a beneficial impact on depressive and trauma-related psychological symptoms. However, studies have reported severe medical complications and deaths, which seem to be associated with neuro- and cardiotoxic effects of ibogaine. Two of these fatalities were described in the 24 studies included in this review.
Conclusion
Treatment of SUDs and persisting comorbidities requires innovative treatment approaches. Rapid-onset therapies such as the application of ibogaine may offer novel treatment opportunities for specific individuals. Rigorous study designs within medical settings are necessary to warrant safe application, monitoring, and, possibly, medical intervention.
Research Summary of 'A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine'
Introduction
Köck and colleagues frame iboga, ibogaine, and noribogaine as indole alkaloids of growing scientific interest because of reported ‘‘anti-addictive’’ properties and distinct psychoactive and somatic effects that differ from classical hallucinogens. Earlier research, largely preclinical and observational, has suggested potential efficacy in opioid use disorder (OUD), cocaine use disorder (CUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs), but controlled clinical evidence remains scarce and safety concerns—particularly cardiotoxicity and several fatal cases—have been repeatedly reported. Regulatory approaches and clinical guidance vary internationally, and the mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects are not fully characterised. This systematic review set out to identify all human studies of ibogaine or noribogaine with investigative or therapeutic intent published up to 7 December 2020, and to summarise effectiveness and safety outcomes. The authors aimed to update prior reviews by applying PRISMA-guided searches of PubMed and EMBASE, synthesising clinical trials, open-label studies, observational reports, case series and case reports to assess what clinical data exist on efficacy, subjective effects, pharmacology and adverse events.
Expert Research Summaries
Go Pro to access AI-powered section-by-section summaries, editorial takes, and the full research toolkit.
Study Details
- Study Typemeta
- Journal
- Compound
- Topics
- APA Citation
Köck, P., Froelich, K., Walter, M., Lang, U., & Dürsteler, K. M. (2022). A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 138, 108717. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108717
References (30)
Papers cited by this study that are also in Blossom
Alper, K. R., Lotsof, H. S., Frenken, G. M. N. et al. · The American Journal on Addictions (2010)
Alper, K. R., Lotsof, H. S., Kaplan, C. D. · Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2007)
Antonio, T., Childers, S. R., Rothman, R. B. et al. · PLOS ONE (2013)
Barsuglia, J. P., Polanco, M., Palmer, R. et al. · Progress in Brain Research (2018)
Bogenschutz, M. P., Johnson, M. W. · Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry (2016)
Brown, T. K., Alper, K. · The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse (2017)
Cameron, L. P., Tombari, R. J., Lu, J. et al. · Nature (2020)
Davis, A. K., Barsuglia, J. P., Windham-Herman, A. M. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2017)
Davis, A. K., Renn, E., Windham-Herman, A. M. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2018)
Davis, A. K., Averill, L. A., Sepeda, N. D. et al. · Chronic Stress (2020)
Show all 30 referencesShow fewer
Dos Santos, R. G., Bouso, J. C., Hallak, J. E. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2016)
Forsyth, B., Machado, L., Jowett, T. et al. · Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2016)
Glue, P., Lenagh-Glue, Z., Winter, H. et al. · Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2015)
Glue, P., Lockhart, M., Lam, F. et al. · Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2014)
Glue, P., Cape, G., Tunnicliff, D. et al. · Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development (2016)
Koenig, X., Hilber, K. · Journal of Humanistic Psychology (2015)
Kuypers, K. P. C., Erritzoe, D., Knudsen, G. M. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2019)
Lavaud, C., Massiot, G. · Progress in the Chemistry of Organic Natural Products (2017)
Litjens, R. P. W., Brunt, T. M. · Clinical Toxicology (2016)
Maillet, E. L., Milon, N., Heghinian, M. D. et al. · Neuropharmacology (2015)
Malcolm, B., Polanco, M., Barsuglia, J. P. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2018)
Marta, C. J., Ryan, W. C., Kopelowicz, A. et al. · The American Journal on Addictions (2015)
Logrip, M. L., Mash, D. C., Duque, L. et al. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Frampton, C. M., Yazar-Klosinski, B., Nollar, G. E. · The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse (2017)
Ray, T. S. · PLOS ONE (2010)
Schenberg, E. E., de Castro Comis, M. A., Chaves, T. V. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2014)
Schep, L. J., Slaughter, R. J., Galea, S. et al. · Drug and Alcohol Dependence (2016)
Steinberg, C., Deyell, M. W. · Journal of Arrhythmia (2018)
Wilkins, C., Dos Santos, R. G., Solá, J. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2017)
Winkelman, M. J. · Current Drug Abuse Reviews (2014)
Cited By (8)
Papers in Blossom that reference this study
Brown, R. E., Shinozuka, K., Kaloiani, I. et al. · Research Square (2026)
Geoly, A. D., Coetzee, J. P., Buchanan, D. M. et al. · iScience (2026)
Brown, R. E., Lissemore, J. I., Shinozuka, K. F. et al. · Journal of Affective Disorders (2026)
Knuijver, T., Heine, R. T., Schellekens, A. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2024)
Cherian, K. N., Keynan, J. N., Anker, L. et al. · Nature Medicine (2024)
Ona, G., Reverte, I., Rossi, G. N. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)
Xin, Y., Armstrong, S. B., Averill, L. A. et al. · Psychology of Consciousness Theory Research and Practice (2023)
Rodríguez-Cano, B. J., Kohek, M., Ona, G. et al. · Drug and Alcohol Review (2022)
Your Personal Research Library
Go Pro to save papers, add notes, rate studies, and organize your research into custom shelves.