Veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury may eventually have hope.
A new Stanford Medicine study found that a single dose of ibogaine, a psychedelic compound from African shrubs, could significantly improve symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction in veterans with a history of combat-related TBI. Released July 24 Natural mental healthThis study provides the strongest evidence that ibogaine can help repair invisible wounds left by war.
What is ibogaine and why now?
ibogaine is not a new drug. Indigenous communities have used their spiritual rituals for hundreds of years. In modern times, it has attracted attention due to its potential to treat drug use disorders. But in the United States, ibogaine is still illegal, and this is my timeline. This has not stopped veterans from seeking treatment abroad, especially in Mexico, where clinics legally provide ibogaine-assisted treatment.
Stanford researchers are led by Dr. Nolan Williams, PhD, and are a member of Vets, Inc. The nonprofit organization collaborated to study 30 veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Forces, who have independently arranged Ibogaine and Ibogaine and Magnesium. Almost everyone has severe psychiatric symptoms, which are related to repeated explosion exposure. Many people try to commit suicide. For some, life becomes unrecognizable.
“No other drug can alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury,” said Williams, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “The results are dramatic and we intend to study the compound further.”
Before and after measurement
Before treatment, participants conducted extensive psychological and neurological assessments, including brain imaging and EEG monitoring. Then, in a Mexican clinic run by Ambio Life Sciences, each veteran received oral ibogaine along with intravenous magnesium to reduce heart risk. The subsequent tests were conducted one month later.
The results are surprising:
- PTSD symptoms decreased by 88%
- Depression symptoms dropped by 87%
- Anxiety symptoms dropped by 81%
- Average disability score dropped from 30.2 to 5.1 – Efficiently eliminate dysfunction
- Veterans also show improved memory, concentration and executive function
“I lived a life of the blizzard before treatment,” said Sean, a 51-year-old naval veteran. “After Ibogain, the storm was rising.”
What changes have happened to the brain?
The effect of ibogaine on brain waves was measured using high-density EEG. After treatment, veterans showed a shift towards slower Theta and Alpha brain waves, while faster beta and gamma activity decreased. The researchers believe that these changes may reflect an enhanced neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and repair itself.
Another finding: cortical activity becomes less complicated after treatment. This is important because overactive brain patterns are associated with PTSD and treble. This reduction in complexity may indicate calmness of the system.
“This may reflect the transition to a more extended brain state, allowing for some significant changes in the mental state observed after ibogaine treatment,” the authors wrote.
What does this mean for PTSD treatment
Currently, treatments for PTSD and TBI are limited and often insufficient. If approved, ibogaine can represent a new class of neurocare therapy. Texas has noticed a $50 million state support initiative to fund the Ibogaine trial with the aim of seeking FDA approval.
Interestingly, the study also found that pretreatment brain patterns can predict who will benefit the most. For example, lower pretreatment alpha wave frequency and complexity are associated with greater improvements in executive function. This opens the door to brain-based screening and personalized psychedelic drugs.
Next and the rest of the questions
Of course, this is not a placebo-controlled trial. Although veterans reported profound improvements, the researchers emphasized the need for randomized, controlled studies of validation results. Nevertheless, the improved consistency and scale are a compelling case for further research.
The lasting effect of ibogaine – lasts for at least a month – and most importantly, it can do more than just temporarily increase symptoms. Researchers speculate that the brain’s baseline can be reset.
A glimpse of hope
Craig, a 52-year-old veteran who once forgot his wife’s name due to his cognitive decline, said the treatment restored his clarity. “This has led to progress in work and has greatly improved my ability to talk to my children and my wife.”
For most Americans, ibogaine is still out of reach. But the study and the story behind it may prompt regulators and scientists to examine the role of the compound more carefully. For veterans who have lost their mental fog, this may just help them find their way home.
Magazine: Natural mental health
doi: 10.1038/S44220-025-00463-X
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