Serious risks.
Informed decisions.
Iboga and ibogaine can cause life-threatening complications. Before considering treatment, understand the risks—and what needs to be discussed with a qualified clinician.
“Natural” does not mean safe.
Iboga is a plant; ibogaine is one of its active compounds. Neither the plant’s origin nor a provider’s reassurance makes its use low-risk. Fatalities have been reported in connection with ibogaine use.
Heart rhythm complications
Ibogaine can prolong the QT interval—the time the heart’s electrical system takes to reset—and trigger dangerous arrhythmias. Heart disease, some medicines, and electrolyte imbalances can increase this risk. Complications may occur beyond the main psychoactive experience.
Interactions and withdrawal
Prescribed medicines, non-prescribed drugs, alcohol, and supplements may interact with ibogaine. Methadone and other medicines that affect heart rhythm are especially important to disclose. Abruptly stopping alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other medicines can also be dangerous.
Physical and psychological vulnerability
Vomiting, dehydration, impaired coordination, and seizures can cause serious harm. Liver problems may affect how substances are processed. A history of psychosis, mania, or other mental health difficulties needs specialist assessment.
Assessment comes before a decision.
Speak with a qualified clinician who understands ibogaine’s risks, ideally alongside your usual care team. Be open about your health and substance use; accurate information matters more than meeting a provider’s eligibility criteria.
- A complete medical history. Include fainting, seizures, heart or liver conditions, mental health history, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and any family history of sudden cardiac death.
- A full medication and substance review. Share names, amounts, and timing of prescriptions, supplements, alcohol, and other substances. Let clinicians decide what changes, if any, are appropriate.
- Clinician-led investigations. Discuss an ECG, electrolytes, liver function, and any further tests your history requires. Results need clinical interpretation—not simply a “pass”.
- Alternatives and continuity of care. Review established treatment options, a safe withdrawal plan where needed, and how your existing healthcare support will continue.
Ask for specifics, not reassurance.
Use these questions to start a clinical conversation. Clear answers are important, but they are not a guarantee of safe treatment.
Who is responsible for my medical care?
Ask who assesses you, who is physically present during treatment, and who makes medical decisions. Request verifiable qualifications, registration details, and experience managing cardiac emergencies. Personal experience with ibogaine is not a clinical qualification.
How will you assess my individual risks?
Ask which investigations are required, who interprets them, and what findings would rule out or postpone treatment. Ask how medication interactions, withdrawal, and mental health risks will be reviewed with your usual clinician.
What monitoring and emergency care are available?
Ask about continuous cardiac monitoring, trained staff, resuscitation equipment, and a clear hospital transfer plan. Find out how long observation continues and how discharge decisions are made. A nearby hospital is not a substitute for immediate emergency capability.
What happens if I decline or need to stop?
Ask for written information about risks, alternatives, consent, cancellation terms, and the response to complications. You should have time to consider your decision without pressure and be able to ask for an independent medical opinion.
Who supports me after I leave?
Ask for a named follow-up contact, written discharge advice, and a handover to your ongoing care team. Clarify what to do if physical symptoms or mental health difficulties emerge after discharge, including outside normal hours.
Reasons to pause and seek independent advice
Guaranteed cures. Claims of “no risk”. No medical screening. Instructions to stop medicines without clinical oversight. Pressure to pay or decide quickly. Unclear emergency arrangements. None of these should be brushed aside.
Safety does not end at discharge.
Plan follow-up medical care, mental health support, and practical help before any treatment. Persistent or new symptoms need medical attention; they should not automatically be interpreted as part of “integration”.
There is no requirement to proceed. Choosing another treatment, seeking a second opinion, or taking more time are all valid next steps.
Plan support beyond treatmentFurther reading: Published research on ibogaine and cardiac risks via PubMed. For complementary ibogaine information, visit ibogaine.nz. Research is not a substitute for personal clinical advice.
Keep your care team at the centre.
Explore the Treatment Companion App alongside your preparation and aftercare conversations—not in place of them.
ibogaine.org.nz · External website
A digital resource cannot assess suitability, monitor your heart, or provide emergency care.