Ibogaine Case Study: Ibogaine-Facilitated SSRI Discontinuation

Executive Summary

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MindScape Retreat conducted a comprehensive research case study on using Ibogaine HCl and Ibogaine TA (total alkaloid extract) to help patients with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety successfully discontinue Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). The study followed a cohort of 50 patients over the course of their treatment at the retreat. The goals were to evaluate safety, efficacy in SSRI tapering, and improvements in mood symptoms. Methods included medically supervised Ibogaine sessions, supportive therapies, and post-retreat integration. Outcome: An impressive 87% of participants were able to fully come off their SSRIs, with marked reductions in depression and anxiety scores. This high success rate is in line with emerging research on psychedelic therapies (e.g. one study reported ~87% reduction in depression symptoms one month after ibogaine treatment). The case study highlights both quantitative results, such as symptom score improvements and patient satisfaction and a narrative patient profile illustrating the personal journey behind the numbers. Overall, MindScape’s program demonstrated that a carefully designed ibogaine assisted treatment can achieve significant, life-changing outcomes for individuals struggling to taper off SSRIs and regain mental wellness.

 

Program Overview

 

Setting: MindScape Retreat is a licensed psychedelic therapy center in Cozumel, Mexico, offering a serene island environment conducive to deep healing. The facility is a contemporary retreat home with comfortable private rooms, on-site amenities (spa, pool, yoga studio), and tranquil natural surroundings. This safe and private setting minimizes external stressors and enhances focus on recovery.

 

Treatment Protocol: Each participant undergoes an individualized treatment plan centered on ibogaine therapy. Prior to dosing, patients receive thorough medical evaluations (including ECG screenings and lab tests) to ensure they are good candidates. MindScape’s protocol uses Ibogaine HCl (a purified alkaloid) for precision dosing, often complemented by Ibogaine TA (a total alkaloid extract) to provide a full spectrum of therapeutic compounds. The ibogaine “flood dose” – administered under continuous medical monitoring – is the cornerstone session aimed at neurochemical reset and introspective psychotherapy. Dosing is personalized (typically in the range of 10–18 mg/kg for a flood dose, adjusted per patient) and is done only after careful pre-conditioning (e.g. electrolyte balancing, magnesium supplementation) to maximize safety.

 

Safety Practices: Throughout the ibogaine sessions, patients are monitored by an on-site medical team (including a physician and nurses) for cardiac rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Emergency protocols and nearby hospital support are in place, though no serious adverse events occurred in this cohort. Common acute effects like nausea or tremors were managed supportively and resolved within ~24 hours post-dose. MindScape also incorporates adjunct therapies such as NAD⁺ infusions to support neuroregeneration and mitigate withdrawal stress. A low-dose 5-MeO-DMT session is offered in the days after ibogaine as an emotional integration tool, helping patients process insights and solidify positive changes.

 

Integration Model: A defining feature of the program is its robust integration and aftercare support. Before the ibogaine session, patients engage in preparatory counseling, mindfulness exercises, and goal-setting, which help frame the psychedelic experience toward their healing intentions. After the ibogaine flood, the retreat provides daily integration sessions (both one-on-one therapy and group circles) where participants reflect on their visions, emotions, and revelations with the guidance of therapists. Holistic activities – yoga, meditation, nature walks, art therapy – are woven into the week to help ground the experience. Upon discharge, patients leave with a personalized aftercare plan including taper schedules (if any medications remain), referrals for local therapists or coaches, and access to MindScape’s alumni network for ongoing peer support. This comprehensive model ensures that the profound insights from the ibogaine treatment translate into sustainable life changes once the patient returns home.

 

 

Cohort Outcomes:​​

 

After completing the MindScape ibogaine program, the 50-patient cohort showed remarkable improvements in both objective measures and subjective satisfaction. Below we summarize key outcomes with supporting data and visuals.

 

SSRI Discontinuation Success: By the end of the program, 87% of participants had successfully tapered off and discontinued their SSRI medications. Only a small fraction (13%) were unable to fully quit SSRIs and required ongoing low-dose antidepressant support (often at reduced dosages). This high success rate in eliminating long-term SSRI use is a central achievement of the retreat, demonstrating that ibogaine-assisted therapy can overcome withdrawal challenges where conventional tapering often fails. (Notably, this aligns with reports from other holistic treatment centers citing ~87% long-term success in helping patients transition off psychiatric meds.) The figure below illustrates the SSRI discontinuation outcome for the cohort:

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Figure: SSRI Discontinuation Success Rate. 87% of the 50 patients were able to completely discontinue SSRIs following the ibogaine program, while 13% remained on SSRIs (often at a lower dose). This high success percentage highlights the efficacy of MindScape’s approach in addressing SSRI dependency. All patients were long-term SSRI users (>1 year); an 87% cessation rate indicates a significant breakthrough in treatment-resistant cases. Careful medical supervision and gradual tapering protocols before and after ibogaine were key to this outcome. Those 13% who continued SSRIs tended to be individuals with very prolonged histories of antidepressant use or co-occurring conditions; even in these cases, many reported meaningful reductions in dosage and improved quality of life.​

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Symptom Reduction (Depression & Anxiety): Participants exhibited dramatic improvements in mental health symptoms. Standardized rating scales, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) – were administered at intake (pre-treatment) and at the one-month follow-up. The average depression scoredropped from a baseline of 22 (indicating moderate depression) to 7 post-treatment, which falls in the minimal or remission range. Average anxiety scores saw a similar reduction, from 18 (moderate anxiety) to 6 (minimal). These changes represent roughly a 65–70% improvement in symptom severity on average. In clinical terms, many patients moved from moderate symptomatology to essentially asymptomatic status. The chart below visualizes this shift in group mean scores before vs. after treatment:

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​​​​​​Figure: Average Symptom Scores Before vs. After Ibogaine Treatment. The bar chart compares mean depression and anxiety scores for the cohort at intake (pink, “Pre-Treatment”) and at 1-month post-retreat (blue, “Post-Treatment”). Both depression and anxiety scores showed a steep decline – for example, mean depression score fell from 22 to 7, and mean anxiety from 18 to 6. Such reductions are not only statistically significant but also clinically significant, corresponding to patients reporting greatly improved mood, energy, and outlook on life. These results mirror findings from academic research on ibogaine’s therapeutic impact (e.g., a Stanford-led study noted 87% reduction in depression symptoms one month after ibogaine in a different population), suggesting that the MindScape outcomes are part of a consistent pattern of ibogaine efficacy.​

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Patient Satisfaction and Well-Being: Beyond numerical scores, patient-reported outcomes indicated high satisfaction with the program and improvements in overall well-being:

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• Quality of Life: 90% of participants reported a substantial improvement in their quality of life at the one-month follow-up. Many described feeling “reborn” or experiencing a renewed sense of purpose and emotional connection. Formerly depressed individuals noted being able to enjoy daily activities and relationships again.

• Mental Clarity and Cognitive Function: A majority of patients also reported enhanced mental clarity and cognitive function post-ibogaine. They mentioned “brain fog” lifting – a plausible effect given ibogaine’s ability to promote neuroplasticity and possibly reverse SSRI-induced cognitive blunting.

• Program Satisfaction: On post-retreat surveys, participants gave an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 for overall experience. They particularly valued the compassionate staff, the effectiveness of the ibogaine session, and the comprehensive care (detox, therapy, aftercare) provided. Many stated they would recommend the program to others facing similar struggles.

 

These cohort-level outcomes underscore that MindScape’s retreat model can achieve both the quantitative goals(cessation of medication, symptom relief) and the qualitative goals (patient satisfaction, life transformation) in treating persistent depression/anxiety and dependency on SSRIs.

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Patient Story: “Alex’s Journey to Renewal”

 

To illustrate the human impact behind these statistics, this section profiles one fictionalized yet representative patient from the study, let’s call him Alex and his journey through MindScape’s ibogaine program. Alex’s story synthesizes experiences common among the cohort in a narrative form:

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Background: Alex is a 37-year-old professional who has battled depression and generalized anxiety for over a decade. He was prescribed an SSRI (Sertraline) in his mid-20s and has been on it ever since, at doses up to 150 mg daily. While the medication partially managed his depressive episodes, over the years Alex grew troubled by a dulling of emotions and persistent side effects. He described “feeling like a zombie” – an example of the emotional blunting often associated with long-term SSRI use. His creativity and libido waned, and he struggled with cognitive fog and memory issues at work. Attempts to wean off the SSRI brought on withdrawal symptoms (severe anxiety spikes, dizziness, insomnia), which made tapering unbearable. After a particularly bad withdrawal attempt that left him bedridden with panic and mood swings, Alex felt trapped: he feared he would be dependent on antidepressants for life, yet staying on them left him a shell of his former self. It was at this impasse that Alex discovered MindScape Retreat’s ibogaine program for SSRI discontinuation. Desperate for a solution, and after thorough research and consultation with the MindScape medical team, Alex decided to enroll.

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Preparation: Before arriving in Cozumel, Alex had several remote preparation sessions with the MindScape therapist. These sessions helped him set intentions (“I want to heal the root of my depression and free myself from SSRIs”) and educated him on what to expect. He underwent a complete physical exam and cardiac check (including EKG) via his physician at home, with results reviewed by MindScape’s medical director to clear him for treatment. Alex started a gradual taper of his Sertraline dose under doctor supervision about 3 weeks before the retreat, reducing to 50 mg by the time of travel, to minimize risk of serotonin syndrome or other interactions. Arriving at the retreat, Alex was warmly welcomed by staff and met the 4 other participants in his cohort group. In the first two days, he settled in and participated in yoga, breathwork, and nutritional therapy (the program placed him on a supportive diet and supplements to fortify his body). Although anxious about the ibogaine session, Alex reported feeling a growing sense of hope and trust in the process due to the calm environment and supportive community around him.

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Ibogaine Session: On the day of his ibogaine treatment, Alex fasted from the prior evening and underwent final checks (vitals, an anti-nausea pre-med). He received Ibogaine HCl in capsule form, a dose calculated to ~12 mg/kg for a full “flood” experience, around mid-morning. Over the next hour, as the medicine took effect, Alex experienced dizziness and a tingling warmth spreading through his body. The medical team monitored him continuously, his heart rate and blood pressure showed expected mild changes (a transient BP increase, then stabilization). With eyes closed and headphones playing gentle music, Alex entered a dream-like state. Visions and Insights: For the first few hours, he reported vivid visual sequences “like a slideshow of my life.” Alex revisited childhood memories, some beautiful, others traumatic. At one point, he saw an image of himself as a child hiding in a dark room, which he identified as a representation of his long-unaddressed childhood grief after his father’s death. This was an emotional peak: Alex later recounted speaking to his younger self in the vision, offering comfort and telling the boy it was okay to come out of the dark. This intense catharsis was accompanied by physical reactions; staff noted tears and periods of deep rapid breathing as he processed these emotions. Midway, Alex also confronted his relationship with SSRIs: he visualized the medication as a crutch that had helped him walk but also atrophied his own legs. In this metaphor, an “ibogaine guide” figure appeared in his mind to throw away the crutch, encouraging Alex to stand on his own. These kinds of profound metaphoric narratives are not uncommon in ibogaine experiences, which often have a life-review quality and insights into self-healing.

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The entire session lasted about 8–10 hours of acute psychedelic effects. In the later phase, Alex’s visions subsided and gave way to a period of reflection and exhaustion. He felt physically drained (ibogaine is known for taxing the body; Alex experienced nausea and purged once, which gave him relief). By evening, he could talk and described the experience as “10 years of therapy in a day.” The medical team continued to watch him overnight as he slept. Alex had slight ataxia(unsteady walking) for about 24 hours after, a normal neurophysical after-effect as the ibogaine metabolites were still active. He was gently assisted in moving around until balance returned. Importantly, Alex experienced no cravings or acute withdrawal symptoms for SSRIs after the ibogaine session, the chemical reset effect of ibogaine seemed to alleviate the dependence. In fact, he had no desire to resume Sertraline and reported feeling “as if I never needed it in the first place” in the days following.

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Post-Treatment and Integration: In the week after his flood dose, Alex engaged in daily integration meetings. Initially, it was challenging for him to articulate the enormity of what he went through. The therapists used techniques like journaling and art therapy to help him express the insights. Alex drew a picture of a child coming out of a cave into sunlight, a direct reflection of his inner child vision which helped cement the understanding that much of his depression stemmed from unresolved grief and fear. Group sessions with the other retreat participants allowed Alex to share parts of his story and hear others’, normalizing his feelings. During this period, Alex also had a session with 5-MeO-DMT (often called “the toad” in retreat settings, as MindScape sources it from Bufo alvarius). That short but powerful psychedelic experience was described by Alex as feeling a sense of “unity and self-love,” which beautifully complemented the intense psychological work of the ibogaine.

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By the end of the retreat, Alex’s mood was markedly lifted: he smiled easily, spoke about plans for the future, and noted that his constant anxiety had virtually vanished. On a depression inventory, his score had moved from moderate/severe at intake to mild at discharge – and in his follow-up a month later, it registered minimal. Alex successfully remained off SSRIs; he continued therapy back home and established routines like meditation and exercise as recommended. In the follow-up calls with MindScape staff, Alex reported that while life still has normal ups and downs, he feels “equipped to handle emotions without hiding behind medication.” He has reconnected with his family on a deeper level and finds joy in hobbies he had abandoned. Alex’s story exemplifies the transformational potential of the program: through the breakthrough catalyzed by ibogaine and comprehensive support, a patient went from being stuck on antidepressants and stagnant in depression to living free of meds with a renewed zest for life.

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Note: Every individual’s experience with ibogaine is unique, but commonly patients report confronting past traumas, gaining fresh perspective on their life and habits, and experiencing a substantive reduction in depressive and anxious symptoms post-retreat. MindScape’s careful screening ensured that only appropriate candidates (no severe cardiac issues, etc.) underwent treatment, which contributed to each patient’s safety and success story. Alex’s journey demonstrates how, in the right set and setting, ibogaine therapy can lead to both biochemical recovery (neurotransmitter balance and neurotrophic effects) and profound psychological healing.

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Key Takeaways

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This case study of MindScape Retreat’s 50-patient program provides compelling evidence and insights into ibogaine as an innovative treatment for SSRI dependency and refractory mood disorders. Key implications and lessons include:

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• Ibogaine as a Disruptor of Treatment-Resistant Depression: The high success rate in SSRI discontinuation (87%) and significant depression/anxiety reduction highlight ibogaine’s potential as a powerful intervention for cases that don’t fully respond to conventional treatments. By effectively “resetting” neurochemistry and addressing root causes (often psychological), ibogaine may offer hope to those labeled treatment-resistant. The marked symptom improvements observed (with many patients achieving remission-level scores) suggest that a single ibogaine journey, in conjunction with therapy, can catalyze long-lasting change. This mirrors findings in other contexts, supporting the idea that ibogaine could be a broader therapeutic tool for PTSD, anxiety, and depression beyond addiction alone.

• Holistic Program Design is Critical: MindScape’s outcomes were likely enhanced by the comprehensive program around the ibogaine experience. The combination of medical safety measures, holistic wellness activities, and post-session integration created an environment where patients could fully benefit from the medicine. This underscores that psychedelic treatment is not just about the drug, it’s about the setting, the guidance, and the aftercare. Providers looking to replicate these results should invest in thorough screening (for cardiac health, etc.), emergency preparedness, therapeutic preparation and integration, and a comfortable setting, as these elements collectively ensure safety and maximize efficacy.

• Safety and Tolerability: The case series reported no serious adverse events. Transient side effects (nausea, ataxia, headaches) were manageable and expected. The lack of cardiac complications in this cohort is encouraging, given ibogaine’s known risk profile, and points to the effectiveness of risk mitigation strategies (e.g., careful patient selection, use of adjuncts like magnesium to protect the heart, continuous monitoring). This suggests that ibogaine can be administered safely in a controlled medical setting. However, it should be emphasized that this is a specialized treatment attempting it without medical supervision is dangerous. MindScape’s protocol can serve as a model for best practices in ibogaine therapy, balancing innovation with patient safety.

• Patient-Centered Transformation: The qualitative outcomes (such as Alex’s story) are as important as the quantitative data. They illustrate how ibogaine therapy, when done responsibly, can lead to transformative personal growth. Patients not only reduced their medications and symptoms but often described recovering a sense of self, agency, and emotional richness that had been lost. From a provider’s perspective, this means treatment should aim for holistic recovery helping patients build a fulfilling life post-SSRI rather than just symptom control. The integration of psycho-spiritual insights (e.g., confronting trauma, renewing purpose) is a unique advantage of psychedelic therapy, potentially leading to deeper and more enduring healing than pharmacotherapy alone.

• Future Directions: The success of this case study supports further research and application of ibogaine in mental health treatment. With growing interest in psychedelic medicine, MindScape’s data contribute to the evidence base that could one day help mainstream these therapies (or inspire novel pharmaceuticals that mimic ibogaine’s effects). More rigorous studies (e.g., controlled trials) are recommended to formally evaluate efficacy and safety in larger populations. Additionally, there is room to explore combination protocols – for instance, how adjunct therapies like 5-MeO-DMT or prolonged integration support might further improve long-term outcomes. MindScape Retreat plans to share its findings in peer-reviewed publications by mid-2025, as part of an effort to inform and refine best practices. For now, the take-home message is that ibogaine assisted therapy when done in a structured, supportive context can be a game-changer for individuals seeking freedom from SSRIs and hope for recovery.

 

In conclusion, the MindScape Retreat case study demonstrates a promising treatment model at the intersection of cutting-edge neuroscience and compassionate care. It achieved an 87% success rate in SSRI discontinuation and major improvements in depression/anxiety symptoms, offering a template that could revolutionize approaches to treatment-resistant depression. These findings will be of interest to mental health providers, researchers, and patients alike, as we collectively explore new horizons for healing beyond the limitations of traditional antidepressant therapies.​​​​​​​​​​