Ibogaine for Health & Longevity - Quick Reference Sheet
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Ibogaine for Health & Longevity

Created on 09/30/2026 – Quick Reference based on Evidence Review created using AI4L / Opus 5.5 – Audit

Ibogaine, a mind-altering plant compound from Africa used in clinics for addiction and brain injury, is linked to quick relief from opioid withdrawal, lower drug use, and better mood and thinking in injured veterans, mostly in studies without a comparison group. It can disturb heart rhythm; deaths have occurred, mostly in people with heart disease, other drugs or no medical supervision. No study has tested it for healthy aging. (Full Review)

Protocol

Magnesium-ibogaine (Stanford/Ambio)
2–3 mg/kg oral test dose, then increments to below 14 mg/kg total
Within 2 hours, after an 8-hour fast; 1 g intravenous magnesium sulfate before and about 12 hours later
Single "flood dose" detoxification
8–12 mg/kg ibogaine hydrochloride, one oral dose
Under medical monitoring; repeat sessions occur months apart
Genetic polymorphisms
Typically half or less of the standard dose
For CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, whose genotype strongly determines exposure
Time to effect
Reduced substance use after treatment
Lasting months
Reported benefits have lasted one month to a year in follow-up
Withdrawal relief
Within hours
After one supervised dose
Mood and functional changes
Within days
Large gains measured at one month in veterans with brain injury

Benefits

Contraindications
  • QT-prolonging drugs (amiodarone, sotalol, haloperidol, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin)
  • Baseline QTc above 450 milliseconds (men) or 470 milliseconds (women), or congenital long QT syndrome
  • Structural heart disease, heart failure (NYHA class II–IV), coronary disease, or heart attack within 6 months
  • Resting heart rate below 50 beats per minute
  • Potassium below 3.5 mmol/L or magnesium below 1.8 mg/dL that cannot be corrected
  • Moderate to severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh class B or C)
  • Personal or first-degree family history of psychosis, schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder
  • Seizure disorder or active alcohol or benzodiazepine dependence without completed detoxification
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
    •
Key Interactions
  • CYP2D6 inhibitors (paroxetine, fluoxetine, bupropion, quinidine, terbinafine)
  • Long-acting opioids (methadone, buprenorphine)
  • Serotonergic drugs (sertraline, venlafaxine, phenelzine, tramadol)
  • Heart-rate and electrolyte-altering drugs (metoprolol, verapamil, furosemide)
  • Sedatives and alcohol (diazepam, alprazolam, alcohol)
  • Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamine, methylphenidate)
  • Over-the-counter drugs (diphenhydramine, loperamide, dextromethorphan)
  • Supplements (St. John's wort, 5-HTP, goldenseal, berberine, licorice, kratom)
  • Supplements with additive heart effects (caffeine-based pre-exercise stimulants, yohimbine, synephrine, senna, dandelion)
  • Other interventions (5-MeO-DMT, fasting, strenuous exercise, sauna)
    •

Risk & Side Effects

  • High: QTc prolongation, ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death; severe transient ataxia; nausea, vomiting and headache; bradycardia and blood pressure changes; acute anxiety, agitation and insomnia
    •
  • Medium:
  • Low: Fatal opioid overdose after treatment; mania and psychosis; seizures; persistent visual disturbances
    •
  • Speculative: Cerebellar Purkinje cell loss; direct heart muscle injury
    •

Monitoring

Marker Target Why
QTc (ECG) Below 430 milliseconds (men), below 450 milliseconds (women) Arrhythmia risk
Resting heart rate 55–75 beats per minute Bradycardia risk
Serum potassium 4.0–5.0 mmol/L Protects heart rhythm
Serum magnesium 2.0–2.5 mg/dL Protects heart rhythm
ALT and AST ALT below 25 U/L, AST below 25 U/L Liver clearance capacity
eGFR Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² Kidney function and electrolyte handling
CYP2D6 genotype No established target; record activity score Predicts drug exposure
Urine drug screen Negative for opioids, sedatives and stimulants Interaction and seizure risk
Pregnancy test (where relevant) Negative Pregnancy excludes treatment
Symptom scales (mood, craving, disability) No established target; track change from own baseline Defines success

Cadence: Baseline testing before treatment; continuous ECG from dosing for at least 24 hours (longer if QTc stays prolonged); repeat ECG and electrolytes at 24 hours, 72 hours and 1 week; symptom scales and repeat ECG at 1 month and 3 months

Qualitative Assessment

  • Sleep quality and duration after the first week
  • Mood, emotional steadiness and anxiety level
  • Cravings for opioids, alcohol or other substances
  • Mental clarity, concentration and memory
  • Energy and motivation
  • Balance and coordination returning to normal
  • Absence of lasting visual disturbances or palpitations
Not medical advice. Educational distillation of a single evidence review. Confirm any decision with a qualified clinician, especially in the presence of prescription drugs or chronic conditions.