Ibogaine — once a countercultural curiosity — is gaining powerful conservative and Christian backers in the US. Proponents point to research and veterans' testimonies showing rapid improvements for PTSD, traumatic brain injury and addiction. Critics warn of serious medical risks, gaps in regulation and the commercialisation of an intense therapy that requires careful medical oversight. The debate highlights who will set safety and access standards as psychedelics move into mainstream politics.
How the US Right Embraced Ibogaine: Conservatives, Christians and a New Psychedelic Turn
Psylocybin mushrooms grow in a humidified monotub in a the basement of a private home in Connecticut.Photograph: John Moore/Getty Images
For decades psychedelics in the United States were closely associated with the cultural left — anti-war activists, countercultural movements and critics of organised religion. That alignment is shifting. Ibogaine, a powerful psychoactive compound derived from central African rootbark, has attracted high-profile support from evangelical Christians, Republican politicians, military veterans and wealthy tech backers.
Background
Advocates often describe ibogaine in spiritual terms and some deliberately avoid the word “psychedelic” because of its cultural baggage in certain conservative circles. With setbacks for other psychedelic-assisted therapies, ibogaine has moved into the spotlight as lawmakers and funders argue it may offer rapid relief for addiction, post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.
Who’s Backing Ibogaine
Supporters span a broad and sometimes surprising spectrum: state leaders such as Texas governor Greg Abbott (who approved a $50m research package), former officials like Rick Perry, veterans and public figures including Morgan Luttrell and Rob O’Neill, and wealthy tech investors reportedly including Sergey Brin. Entrepreneurs and celebrities — from Elon Musk and Bryan Johnson to Conor McGregor — have also publicly linked themselves to psychedelic experiences or funding.
Evidence, Anecdotes and Clinical Interest
A 2023 Stanford University study published in Nature Medicine reported that 30 US special-forces veterans who travelled to Mexico for ibogaine therapy experienced substantial reductions in symptoms of traumatic brain injury, PTSD and depression, with many showing further improvement after a month. Proponents also point to numerous personal testimonies from veterans and people recovering from opioid addiction who describe dramatic, life-changing benefits after single or short courses of treatment.
“This very special emancipation medication has the capacity to substantially improve treatment outcomes for afflictions that affect the mind, body and soul,” said Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine.
Medical Risks and Regulatory Concerns
Ibogaine is not without serious dangers. It is contraindicated with many common medications and can cause cardiac arrhythmias and, in some cases, cardiac arrest. A 2021 review documented 33 publicly reported ibogaine-related deaths, though advocates and critics agree the true figure is uncertain. Because of these risks, safe administration requires thorough medical screening and continuous cardiac monitoring — ideally in settings with intensive-care capabilities.
Commercialisation, Access and Cultural Implications
Critics warn that as clinics expand in permissive jurisdictions — often in Mexico or other countries where regulations differ — the therapy risks being absorbed into a profit-driven healthcare model. Observers also note a striking cultural shift: a therapy once associated with left-leaning counterculture is now being defined publicly by conservative and religious voices. Some analysts see this as potentially unifying; others worry about who will set standards for safety, access and ethical practice.
What To Watch
- State-level policy moves in Texas, Ohio and Colorado and federal conversations about research funding and regulation.
- Emerging clinical evidence from controlled trials and longer-term follow-up studies on safety and efficacy.
- How commercial and ideological forces shape access, oversight and public narratives about psychedelic-assisted care.
Ibogaine remains a contentious, high-stakes topic: it offers both promising therapeutic possibilities and significant, sometimes fatal risks. The debate centers on how to balance access, safety and ethical standards while multiple political and cultural constituencies claim the language and legitimacy of psychedelic healing.
