Ibogaine Outcomes One Year Later

What they studied

Researchers followed 30 male U.S. Special Operations veterans with histories of traumatic brain injury who received medically supervised ibogaine treatment alongside magnesium in Mexico.

An earlier study found significant improvements one month after treatment. The new research followed participants at three, six, nine and 12 months to assess whether those improvements continued.

What the research found

Twenty-five of the original 30 participants completed the one-year assessment.

Improvements in PTSD, depression, anxiety and difficulties with daily functioning remained substantial throughout the follow-up period.

Among participants who initially achieved remission, researchers estimated the probability of remaining in remission at one year:

• 84% for PTSD
• 66% for depression
• 61% for anxiety

These findings extend the original study, showing that improvements across several measures of mental health and functioning were still present a year after treatment.

What this helps us understand

The notable finding is the sustained improvement in both mental health symptoms and daily functioning. These are distinct measures of recovery, and both remained substantially better than before treatment.

For people living with the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury, the results offer encouraging evidence that improvements observed shortly after ibogaine treatment can persist well beyond the initial treatment period.

The findings strengthen the case for further clinical investigation, particularly into how ibogaine and ongoing care may contribute to longer-term recovery.

Evidence note

This was a small observational study without a control group. Most participants used other psychedelics or received additional care during follow-up, so the improvements cannot be attributed to ibogaine alone. The study included only male veterans, limiting its broader applicability. Ibogaine also carries serious cardiac risks that require careful medical oversight.