Open-label study of consecutive ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT assisted-therapy for trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces Veterans: prospective data from a clinical program in Mexico.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled prospective open-label cohort study (case series design)
PubMed 37734158 · doi:10.1080/00952990.2023.2220874
What was done
Data were prospectively collected from an open-label clinical program in Mexico delivering consecutive ibogaine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) assisted therapy to trauma-exposed Special Operations Forces Veterans (n = 86; 100% male, mean age 42.88, 87.2% Caucasian, 89.5% non-Hispanic). Participants completed online self-report evaluations assessing mental health, cognitive symptoms, and functional outcomes at pre-treatment baseline and at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-treatment.
What was found
From baseline to one-month follow-up, statistically significant improvements were reported across multiple domains: - PTSD symptoms: p < .001, d = .414 - Post-concussive symptoms: p < .001, d = .389 - Satisfaction with life: p < .001, d = .371 - Insomnia severity: p < .001, d = .351 - Psychological flexibility: p < .001, d = .313 - Anxiety: p < .001, d = .276 - Depression: p < .001, d = .275 - Cognitive functioning: p < .001, d = .265 The abstract reports a signal of durable therapeutic effects up to 6 months, but does not provide specific numerical outcomes for the 3- and 6-month timepoints.
Why it matters
This study provides preliminary observational data on a dual-psychedelic protocol (ibogaine followed by 5-MeO-DMT) for military veterans experiencing trauma-related cognitive and psychological symptoms.
Limits
The study lacks a control or comparison group and used an open-label design, introducing substantial risk of expectation and placebo bias. The population was restricted to trauma-exposed male Special Operations Forces veterans who self-selected to seek treatment in Mexico. All outcomes were measured via online self-report rather than standardized clinician interviews, and numerical data for the 3- and 6-month follow-ups were omitted from the abstract.
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