Ibogaine is a banned hallucinogenic drug. Scientists believe it can help veterans overcome PTSD

Trials on veterans suggest the potent hallucinogen could provide a new treatment for PTSD, but scientists still don't know how it works. Elias Kfoury was making what he considered to be a last-ditch attempt to remedy years of deep psychological pain. Lying on his back in a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, the former US Navy special operations medic was deep under the influence of ibogaine, a potent psychedelic taking him on an immersive journey through old memories. "I started seeing people that I recognised from pictures, old family or friends that had passed a long time ago," says Kfoury, who was medically retired in 2016. "I watched so many events from my life and felt like 'this is happening right now'." Such vivid experiences are common with ibogaine. A compound found in the roots of the African shrub iboga and traditionally used in central western African spiritual and healing ceremonies, it has been increasingly tested as a treatment for conditions ranging from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to drug addiction. But the drug is banned in many countries due to safety concerns, including in the US where it is listed as a controlled substance. And scientists are still trying to

May 15, 2026 → Jun 2, 2026