What is iboga good for?

Iboga – Uses, Side Effects, and More

Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) is a shrub that is used for ritual and ceremonial purposes in some African cultures. It has hallucinogenic effects.

Iboga contains chemicals that can cause brain stimulation. The root bark of the plant contains a chemical called ibogaine. Ibogaine is illegal in the US due to its high potential for abuse.

People use iboga for withdrawal from heroin, morphine, and other opioids, as well as for fever, addictions, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. Using iboga can also be unsafe.

When taken by mouth: Ibogaine, a chemical in iboga, is possibly unsafe. Ibogaine might cause irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, seizures, paralysis, difficulty breathing, anxiety, hallucinations, and death.

There isn’t enough reliable information to know if the iboga shrub is safe or what the side effects might be.