ibogaine

[ ih-boh-guh-een ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an alkaloid, C 20 H 26 N 2 O, obtained from an African shrub, Tabernanthe iboga, having antidepressant and hallucinogenic properties.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ibogaine¹

From French ibogaïne (1901), from New Latin iboga the shrub's specific epithet (said to be from an Indigenous language of the Congo) + French -ine -ine ²

Example Sentences

But research on psychedelics has largely ignored ibogaine, a drug that’s derived from a plant native to the rainforests of Central Africa.

From New York Times

Over the past three years on this beat, I have interviewed researchers who have occasionally mentioned ibogaine, often in tones that hinted at both promise and peril.

From New York Times

An ibogaine journey can be grueling.

From New York Times

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that ibogaine saved my life, allowed me to make amends with the people I hurt and helped me learn to love myself again,” said Jessica Blackburn, 37, who is recovering from heroin addiction and has been sober for eight years.

From New York Times

That’s because ibogaine is illegal in the United States.

From New York Times