Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT linked to higher adverse effects

Higher Adverse Effects Reported with Ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open highlights that users of ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) experience higher rates of adverse health effects compared to users of other psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. The study, led by Otto Simonsson, PhD, from the Karolinska Institute, utilized data from the 2025 National Survey Investigating Hallucinogenic Trends.

Study Methodology

The research involved a cross-sectional analysis of 1,964 adults from a verified online panel survey across the United States. Participants who used one or more substances in the past year were asked about changes in their health and healthcare usage attributed to these substances. Additionally, those who used substances in the past three months reported on 13 specific symptoms from the Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory.

Findings on Substance Use and Effects

The study found that past-year use was most prevalent for psilocybin, followed by MDMA, LSD, 5-MeO-DMT, and ibogaine. In terms of adverse effects, ibogaine users reported the highest rates (94.8%), closely followed by 5-MeO-DMT users (92.8%). Common adverse effects included heart palpitations and suicidal thoughts, with 44.2% of ibogaine users and 51.3% of 5-MeO-DMT users experiencing cardiac symptoms.

Why It Matters

These findings underscore the need for enhanced safety surveillance and targeted harm reduction strategies for ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. The study suggests that public health communications should balance the potential risks and benefits of these substances, especially given their lower prevalence compared to other psychedelics.

The study's limitations include its cross-sectional design, potential recall bias, and reliance on self-reported data, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.

Funding and Disclosure

The study was funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, with ongoing data collection supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institutes of Health. Disclosure details for the researchers are available in the original publication.

Reporting based on Medscape. Read the original: [link].