Independent clinical information · Miami, Florida
Understanding ibogaine
A clear guide to what ibogaine is, how treatment works, where the serious risks lie, and what people in Miami should know before looking further.
A plant alkaloid being studied for substance-use disorders
Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound derived from the Tabernanthe iboga shrub. Research has focused mainly on opioid withdrawal and dependence, with earlier evidence also examining alcohol and stimulant use disorders and trauma-related conditions.
Ibogaine is investigational. It is not a cure, and it should never be used without rigorous medical screening and supervision.
What the evidence suggests
Observational studies report reduced acute opioid withdrawal and lower use for some participants after supervised treatment. Controlled evidence remains limited.
What remains uncertain
Outcomes vary, long-term data are still developing, and serious cardiac complications can occur without careful screening and monitoring.
Cardiac screening comes before every other consideration
Ibogaine can prolong the heart's QT interval and trigger dangerous rhythms. A responsible program begins with cardiology review, laboratory testing and a complete medication and substance-interaction check.
Essential safeguards
- 12-lead ECG reviewed before clearance
- Continuous ECG and vital-sign monitoring
- On-site emergency equipment and trained staff
- Documented follow-up after treatment
Reasons treatment may be unsafe
- QTc prolongation or a history of arrhythmia
- Uncontrolled hypertension or recent heart attack
- Severe liver or kidney impairment
- Active psychosis or mania
- Unsafe medication or substance interactions
Four stages of clinical care
- 01
Consultation and screening
Medical, psychiatric, medication and substance-use history are reviewed before any treatment decision.
- 02
Cardiac clearance
A 12-lead ECG, blood tests and QT-interval review identify risks that may rule treatment out.
- 03
Supervised treatment
Dosing requires continuous cardiac and vital-sign monitoring with qualified clinical staff present.
- 04
Integration and aftercare
Structured follow-up supports recovery, wellbeing and relapse-prevention after the acute session.
Third-party information about the Treatment Companion App
Public information from Ibogaine.org.nz describes the Treatment Companion App as containing clinician-entered screening records, physiological values measured with separate equipment, clinician-configured threshold prompts, assessment records and follow-up records. This app does not replace clinical care. Ibogaine is available in New Zealand by prescription only.
- Screening records
- Clinician-entered medication, interaction and contraindication review records
- Physiological records
- Clinician-entered values with clinician-configured QTc prompts and clinician review fields
- Follow-up records
- Entered assessments, calculated scores and dated records covering up to six months
For Miami readers, treatment access starts with legal reality
Ibogaine remains Schedule I in Florida and throughout the United States. There is no legal ibogaine treatment clinic in Miami. People who pursue treatment generally travel to jurisdictions with different legal or medical pathways.
Florida / US
Schedule I — restricted
New Zealand
Prescription pathway
Mexico
Clinics operate without a federal treatment standard
Legal status changes. This is general information, not legal advice; always verify the current position in the relevant jurisdiction.
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These focused guides separate practical decisions from the broader research and news.
Research and updates
From the journal
University of Miami gifts its 1994 ibogaine IND to the federal government
In August 2026 the University of Miami transferred its original 1994 ibogaine Investigational New Drug application to HHS — a landmark move that could accelerate federal ibogaine research.
Ibogaine research in 2026: where the evidence stands
A plain-language review of the current ibogaine evidence base: observational cohorts, cardiac safety data, and what ongoing trials may answer next.
Ibogaine in Miami: the treatment landscape, updated
Ibogaine remains Schedule I in Florida and across the US. Here is how Miami-area patients actually access supervised treatment, and what to check before committing to any program.