--- type: entity entity_type: research_program name: Stanford Ibogaine Veterans Study domain: health status: completed supports: - Ibogaine's federal policy priority in 2026 rests on a single n=30 pilot study illustrating how veteran political constituencies can accelerate regulatory posture ahead of evidence hierarchies - IV magnesium protocol demonstrates ibogaine's cardiac risk is manageable in supervised clinical settings addressing the primary safety barrier to Phase 3 trials reweave_edges: - Ibogaine's federal policy priority in 2026 rests on a single n=30 pilot study illustrating how veteran political constituencies can accelerate regulatory posture ahead of evidence hierarchies|supports|2026-05-11 - IV magnesium protocol demonstrates ibogaine's cardiac risk is manageable in supervised clinical settings addressing the primary safety barrier to Phase 3 trials|supports|2026-05-11 --- # Stanford Ibogaine Veterans Study ## Overview Stanford University School of Medicine pilot study investigating ibogaine for veterans with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and/or substance use disorder. ## Key Details - **Design**: n=30 veterans, uncontrolled pilot, overseas clinical setting (ibogaine is Schedule I in US) - **Innovation**: IV magnesium protocol for QT prolongation prophylaxis - **Primary outcome**: 1-month self-reported symptom reduction - **Results**: 88% PTSD reduction, 87% depression reduction, 81% anxiety reduction - **Safety**: Zero serious cardiac events with magnesium protocol ## Evidence Limitations - No control group (no placebo comparison) - Single timepoint (1 month only, no durability data) - Non-representative population (veteran-specific) - Self-reported outcomes (expectancy bias risk) - Small sample size (n=30) ## Policy Impact Despite evidence limitations, this study was specifically cited in Trump's April 2026 executive order allocating $50M in ARPA-H funding for ibogaine research in veterans. Ex-Navy SEALs and Special Operations veterans were present at EO signing. ## Timeline - **2024** — Study published, first hospital-grade ibogaine protocol with cardiac safety measures - **2026-04** — Trump EO names ibogaine for veterans, $50M ARPA-H funding commitment ## Significance Represents first peer-reviewed evidence that ibogaine's cardiac risk (QT prolongation) may be manageable in supervised clinical settings through prophylactic intervention. Also demonstrates how politically salient populations (veterans) can drive federal policy ahead of standard evidence hierarchies (Phase 3 trials).