5 January 2024 | Kirsten N. Cherian, Jackob N. Keynan, Lauren Anker, Afik Faerman, Randi E. Brown, Ahmed Shamma, Or Keynan, John P. Coetzee, Jean-Marie Batail, Angela Phillips, Nicholas J. Bassano, Gregory L. Sahlem, Jose Inzunza, Trevor Millar, Jonathan Dickinson, C. E. Rolle, Jennifer Keller, Maheen Adamson, Ian H. Kratter & Nolan R. Williams
This study investigates the safety and efficacy of Magnesium–Ibogaine: the Stanford Traumatic Injury to the CNS protocol (MISTIC) in 30 male Special Operations Forces (SOVs) with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated psychiatric symptoms. MISTIC involves oral administration of ibogaine, a plant-derived compound known for its potential therapeutic effects on substance use disorders and psychiatric conditions. The study assessed changes in disability, PTSD, depression, and anxiety using various scales, including the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2.0), Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Key findings include significant improvements in WHODAS scores immediately and one month after treatment (P_corrected < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.74 and 2.20, respectively), as well as reductions in PTSD (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.54), depression (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.80), and anxiety (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.13). No serious adverse events were reported, and magnesium supplementation, which may mitigate cardiac risks associated with ibogaine, was used in the treatment.
The study highlights the potential of MISTIC as a therapeutic approach for SOVs with TBI and associated psychiatric symptoms, but further controlled trials are needed to validate these initial findings. The results also suggest that ibogaine can be administered safely to this population when combined with magnesium and appropriate medical monitoring.This study investigates the safety and efficacy of Magnesium–Ibogaine: the Stanford Traumatic Injury to the CNS protocol (MISTIC) in 30 male Special Operations Forces (SOVs) with mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and associated psychiatric symptoms. MISTIC involves oral administration of ibogaine, a plant-derived compound known for its potential therapeutic effects on substance use disorders and psychiatric conditions. The study assessed changes in disability, PTSD, depression, and anxiety using various scales, including the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-2.0), Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A).
Key findings include significant improvements in WHODAS scores immediately and one month after treatment (P_corrected < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.74 and 2.20, respectively), as well as reductions in PTSD (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.54), depression (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.80), and anxiety (P_corrected < 0.001, d = 2.13). No serious adverse events were reported, and magnesium supplementation, which may mitigate cardiac risks associated with ibogaine, was used in the treatment.
The study highlights the potential of MISTIC as a therapeutic approach for SOVs with TBI and associated psychiatric symptoms, but further controlled trials are needed to validate these initial findings. The results also suggest that ibogaine can be administered safely to this population when combined with magnesium and appropriate medical monitoring.