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Ibogaine Research Fuels Hope for Addiction Care, but Experts Warn of Fatal Risks

As interest in psychedelic therapies spreads beyond research settings, specialists caution that ibogaine remains experimental and may pose life-threatening cardiac dangers when used without medical supervision

A renewed wave of interest in psychedelic therapies is putting ibogaine back in the spotlight, driven by research exploring its potential role in addiction treatment and post-traumatic stress disorders. Yet scientists and addiction specialists say the substance remains experimental, while its use outside controlled medical settings can carry serious, and sometimes fatal, risks.

Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid found in several plants, particularly Tabernanthe iboga, a shrub native to Africa that has long been used in traditional medicine. The substance was also mentioned by Presley Gerber, the model and son of Cindy Crawford, who died at age 27 in a rehabilitation facility. In an Instagram post published in March, Gerber referred to taking ibogaine.

According to Riccardo Gatti, a psychiatrist and coordinator of the Lombardy Region’s technical panel on addiction, the compound has been known for years, but scientific attention has intensified only recently following studies suggesting a possible benefit in treating some forms of substance dependence.

Researchers in the United States have begun testing and evaluating the substance, Gatti said, after preliminary findings indicated that ibogaine may produce what appears to be a neurological “reset,” potentially reducing compulsive cravings for other drugs.

That scientific interest, however, is developing alongside a broader commercial and cultural push surrounding psychedelics. Beyond therapeutic applications, some users have increasingly turned to hallucinogenic substances in the belief that they can enhance cognitive performance or social interaction, often through microdosing practices that involve very small quantities.

Gatti warns that this gradual approach can encourage wider experimentation and, in some cases, lead to dependency. More concerning, he said, are the physical consequences associated with ibogaine itself.

“The danger is death from cardiac complications,” he explained. “Ibogaine can trigger dangerous arrhythmias, and the risks become even greater when it is taken together with other medications, including antidepressants.”

The psychiatrist also pointed to the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of the substance. Online posts frequently present ibogaine as a tool capable of boosting personal performance or helping individuals overcome addiction, creating what he described as a potentially misleading image of the drug.

Without medical oversight, he said, users can find themselves trapped between dependence and the compound’s potentially harmful effects on the cardiovascular system.

Gatti declined to comment on Gerber’s specific circumstances, noting that the available information is insufficient to determine whether the substance was used independently or within a treatment context.

He also stressed that the scientific evidence remains limited. Existing studies typically involve small populations and have yet to provide the level of certainty required for routine clinical use. For that reason, he said he is unaware of ibogaine being commonly used in American treatment facilities.

The current debate, in his view, is increasingly shaped by confusion between legitimate scientific investigation and recreational or unsupervised consumption.

“We are seeing prominent public figures speaking openly about these substances, and even startups emerging to promote research and consumption,” Gatti said.

He described the phenomenon as part of a broader “Psychedelic Renaissance” that began in the United States and is now spreading internationally through media coverage and social platforms.

For researchers, the promise of ibogaine remains far from settled. Results capable of establishing its effectiveness in addiction treatment are still years away, Gatti said, partly because studies involving psychedelic substances require strict authorization procedures and carefully selected participants.

Another field attracting scientific attention concerns post-traumatic stress, particularly among war veterans whose psychological conditions have been profoundly affected by combat experiences. Early lines of research suggest that some psychedelic substances, including ibogaine, could offer benefits in such cases, though no definitive conclusions have yet been reached.

“There are indications that it may be useful, but we are still a long way from having a medication,” Gatti said.

For now, the studies conducted so far point in the same direction: any therapeutic use of psychedelics must take place in controlled environments, with psychological support, clear medical supervision and strict limits on administration.

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