Key Outcome Statistics
Figures drawn from peer-reviewed observational studies and clinical trials in medically supervised settings.
Across multiple published observational studies in medically supervised settings.
With integration support and aftercare, roughly half maintain sobriety at one year.
Stanford 2026 expanded trial (n=120): 71% opioid abstinence at 6-month follow-up in treatment-resistant patients.
Stanford MISTIC trial (n=30 veterans) showed 88% average PTSD reduction at 1-month follow-up.
9 of 10 patients at Beond Health (6,000+ treatments) report the treatment worked. 100% treatment retention.
Unlike chronic MAT, ibogaine typically requires one medically supervised session.
Published Research
Key peer-reviewed studies informing current clinical understanding of ibogaine outcomes.
Stanford University's Psychedelic Medicine Research Center published Phase II results from 120 patients with treatment-resistant opioid use disorder, reporting a 71% abstinence rate at 6-month follow-up. This represents the largest controlled ibogaine study in treatment-resistant patients, building on the original 30-veteran MISTIC trial published in Nature Medicine.
View SourceThe landmark Stanford MISTIC trial treated 30 Special Operations veterans with magnesium-ibogaine for PTSD and TBI. Results: 88% average PTSD symptom reduction, 87% depression reduction, 81% anxiety reduction at 1 month. WHODAS disability scores dropped from 30.2 to 5.1 (effectively no disability). 100% PTSD response rate; 86% remission. Zero serious cardiac adverse events.
View SourceA qualitative and quantitative study of ibogaine-assisted detox in New Zealand found significant reductions in opioid dependence scores. Participants reported decreased withdrawal severity and sustained reductions in cravings at 12-month follow-up. The study highlighted the importance of pre-screening and integration support.
View SourceA retrospective analysis of 191 opioid-dependent patients treated with ibogaine across multiple clinics showed 80% reported meaningful reduction in withdrawal symptoms within 24 hours. At 1-month follow-up, 50% reported complete abstinence. Pre-existing cardiac conditions were the primary safety concern identified.
View SourceAn online survey of 88 adults with opioid-use disorder who self-administered ibogaine found 80% reported being opioid-free at 30 days. Significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms were also observed. Authors noted the critical need for medical supervision to reduce cardiac risks.
View SourceProspective study of 191 patients treated at a licensed Panama clinic showed ibogaine safely reduced opioid withdrawal and craving scores. No serious adverse cardiac events occurred under continuous ECG monitoring and medical supervision, supporting the safety profile of properly screened patients.
View SourceThe largest real-world ibogaine dataset: 6,000+ medically supervised treatments across 3,000+ patients. 176 data points collected per treatment with longitudinal digital monitoring. 90% of patients self-report treatment success; 100% treatment retention rate. Conditions treated include opioid/alcohol/stimulant addiction, PTSD, TBI, depression, and anxiety.
View SourceIbogaine vs. Traditional Treatments
How ibogaine compares to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), 12-step programs, and residential rehab across key dimensions.
Success Rates by Substance Type
Ibogaine's effectiveness varies significantly by substance. Opioids show the strongest evidence; other substances have promising but more limited data.
Why opioids respond best: Ibogaine has a unique direct action on mu-opioid receptors — it literally resets them to a pre-addiction state while eliminating acute withdrawal. For non-opioid substances, the benefit comes primarily through neuroplasticity (growing new neural connections via GDNF/BDNF), dopamine system modulation, and the profound psychological insight that facilitates behavioral change. This is why aftercare and integration therapy become even more critical for non-opioid addictions.
How Aftercare Affects Success Rates
Ibogaine creates a “window of opportunity” — reduced cravings and enhanced neuroplasticity — that structured aftercare converts into lasting recovery.
Ibogaine session only, no follow-up therapy or support. Patients return to unchanged environments and social triggers. Relapse typically occurs within 3–6 months.
Weekly therapy sessions and peer support groups for 3+ months post-treatment. Addresses psychological triggers but may miss environmental and social factors.
Structured 6-12 month integration program: weekly therapy, integration coaching, lifestyle restructuring, support groups, family counseling, and regular check-ins. Best long-term outcomes.
What Effective Aftercare Includes
Recovery Timeline After Ibogaine Treatment
What published data tells us about outcomes at each time point.
Ibogaine's direct opioid receptor action provides rapid withdrawal relief during the treatment session itself.
The "afterglow" period where neuroplasticity is highest. Critical window for beginning integration work.
Most published studies measure primary outcomes at this time point. Strong predictor of long-term success.
The period where aftercare quality becomes the dominant variable. Environmental triggers re-emerge.
Stanford's 2026 expanded trial showed 71% in treatment-resistant patients with structured follow-up.
Long-term data is more limited. Patients with comprehensive aftercare significantly outperform those without.
Very few studies follow patients beyond 12 months. Booster treatments may help those who relapse.
What Happens If Relapse Occurs?
Relapse after ibogaine treatment is not uncommon — approximately 40–50% of patients experience some level of return to substance use within the first year. However, ibogaine treatment differs from other approaches in several important ways:
- —Relapse after ibogaine is often less severe — patients typically use less and recognize the pattern faster.
- —The psychological insights from the ibogaine experience persist even through relapse, providing a foundation for recommitment.
- —Booster treatments (a second ibogaine session 6–12 months later) are used by some clinics for patients who relapse, with anecdotal success rates of 60–70%.
- —Some patients use low-dose ibogaine microdosing protocols to maintain benefits between full sessions.
- —Relapse does not mean treatment failure — it is an opportunity to strengthen aftercare and address triggers that were missed.
For more information on post-treatment protocols, see our aftercare & integration guide and booster protocol page.
Important Caveats
Research Limitations
- —Most published studies are observational, not randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- —Sample sizes are generally small (30–200 participants), limiting statistical power.
- —Significant self-selection bias: motivated patients tend to seek treatment and report outcomes.
- —Follow-up periods vary widely; long-term data beyond 24 months is limited.
- —Outcome definitions differ across studies, making direct comparisons difficult.
Individual Variation & Aftercare
- —Success rates vary significantly based on substance type, duration of use, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
- —Ibogaine is not a standalone cure — integration therapy and aftercare dramatically improve long-term outcomes.
- —Genetics influence ibogaine metabolism; slow metabolizers face higher cardiac risk and require dose adjustment.
- —Social support, environment, and post-treatment structure are critical predictors of sustained recovery.