Iboga Alkaloid Encyclopedia · Primary Psychoactive
Ibogaine
The primary psychoactive indole alkaloid in Tabernanthe iboga; the molecule used at flood-dose for opioid-use-disorder reset.
Molecular formula
C₂₀H₂₆N₂O
Molecular weight
310.43 g/mol
CAS registry
83-74-9
TA share (approx.)
≈ 80% of root-bark indole alkaloid mass
IUPAC / systematic
(1S,15R,17S,18S)-17-ethyl-7-methoxy-3,13-diazapentacyclo[13.3.1.0²,¹⁰.0⁴,⁹.0¹³,¹⁸]nonadeca-2(10),4,6,8-tetraene
Profile
Ibogaine is the principal psychoactive indole alkaloid in Tabernanthe iboga. Pharmacologically it is a low-affinity, non-selective ligand at multiple central nervous system targets, with the integrative behavioral effect of interrupting opioid withdrawal and producing a long, dream-like introspective state at therapeutic doses.
At MindScape, ibogaine is administered as the purified hydrochloride salt (HCl) at the flood dose — typically 8–15 mg/kg under continuous cardiac telemetry — only after the onsite taper protocol has cleared the patient against protocol-defined cardiac, hepatic, and electrolyte thresholds.
Ibogaine prolongs the QT interval. This is a real, dose-dependent risk that is managed — not eliminated — by EKG screening, magnesium pre-loading, electrolyte normalization, and continuous telemetry.
Receptor & Target Profile
- Mu-opioid receptor: low-affinity partial agonist / antagonist activity (mechanism of withdrawal interruption is multifactorial).
- NMDA receptor: non-competitive antagonist (contributes to dissociative experience and anti-tolerance effect).
- Sigma-2 receptor: high-affinity ligand (contribution to clinical effect is debated).
- Serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT3: low-to-moderate affinity (subjective state contribution).
- Cardiac hERG (IKr) channel: blocks repolarizing potassium current — basis of QT prolongation.
Role at MindScape
Ibogaine is NOT the dominant component of the TA taper bridge. During taper we use full-spectrum TA at sub-psychoactive doses; pure ibogaine HCl is reserved for the flood-dose reset after the patient meets every safety threshold.
Citations
- Glue P, et al. (2016). Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development, 5(6), 460-468.
- Mash DC, et al. (2018). Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, 529.
- Knuijver T, et al. (2022). Addiction, 117(1), 118-128.
- Alper KR. (2001). The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Biology, 56, 1-38.
Citation list is illustrative. Where peer-reviewed data is thin or absent, MindScape's pharmacology summary draws on textbook references (Alper 2001 — The Alkaloids: Chemistry and Biology, vol. 56) and is hedged accordingly.
Related alkaloids
Noribogaine
Ibogaine's active O-demethylated metabolite — long half-life, lower QT signal, mu-opioid partial agonist.
Ibogamine
Cardiac-sparing minor indole alkaloid in iboga TA — present at meaningful share, contributes to TA's broader receptor footprint.
Voacangine
Synthetic precursor to ibogaine; 12-methoxy ibogaine analog with its own anti-addictive profile.
Tabernanthine
Mild psychoactive minor indole alkaloid in iboga TA; isomeric cousin of ibogaine.