A dream-like psychedelic might help traumatized veterans reset their brains

A new study suggests that the intensity of spiritual or “mystical” moments felt during psychedelic treatment may predict how well veterans recover from trauma symptoms. Researchers found that soldiers who reported profound feelings of unity and sacredness while taking ibogaine experienced lasting relief from post-traumatic stress disorder. These findings were published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.

For decades, medical professionals have sought better ways to assist military personnel returning from combat. Many veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, as well as traumatic brain injuries caused by repeated exposure to blasts. These conditions often occur together and can be resistant to standard pharmaceutical treatments. The lack of effective options has led some researchers to investigate alternative therapies derived from natural sources.

One such substance is ibogaine. This psychoactive compound comes from the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, which is native to Central Africa. Cultures in that region have used the plant for centuries in healing and spiritual ceremonies. In recent years, it has gained attention in the West for its potential to treat addiction and psychiatric distress. Unlike some other psychedelics, ibogaine often induces a dream-like state where users review their memories.

Despite anecdotal reports of success, the scientific community still has a limited understanding of how ibogaine works in the human brain. Most prior research focused on classic psychedelics like psilocybin or MDMA. The specific psychological mechanisms that might allow ibogaine to alleviate trauma symptoms remain largely unexplored.

Randi E. Brown, a researcher at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, led a team to investigate this question. They worked in collaboration with the late Nolan R. Williams and other specialists in psychiatry and behavioral sciences. The team sought to determine if the subjective quality of the drug experience mattered for recovery. They hypothesized that a “mystical experience” might be a key driver of therapeutic change.

The concept of a mystical experience in psychology is specific and measurable. It refers to a sensation of unity with the universe, a transcendence of time and space, and deeply felt peace or joy. It also includes a quality known as ineffability, meaning the experience is too profound to be described in words. The researchers wanted to know if veterans who felt these sensations more strongly would see better clinical results.

The study analyzed data from thirty male Special Operations Veterans. All participants had a history of traumatic brain injury and combat exposure. Because ibogaine is not approved for medical use in the United States, the veterans traveled to a clinic in Mexico for the treatment. This setup allowed the researchers to observe the effects of the drug in a clinical setting outside the U.S.

The treatment protocol involved a single administration of the drug. The medical staff combined ibogaine with magnesium sulfate. This addition is intended to protect the heart, as ibogaine can sometimes disrupt cardiac rhythms. The veterans received the medication orally after a period of fasting. They spent the session lying down with eyeshades, generally experiencing the effects internally rather than interacting with others.

To measure the psychological impact of the session, the researchers administered the Mystical Experiences Questionnaire. This survey asks participants to rate the intensity of various feelings, such as awe or a sense of sacredness. The researchers collected these scores immediately after the treatment concluded.

The team also assessed the veterans’ PTSD severity using a standardized clinical interview. They took these measurements before the treatment, immediately after, and again one month later. This allowed them to track changes in symptom severity over time. Additionally, the researchers used electroencephalography, or EEG, to record electrical activity in the brain.

The analysis revealed a clear statistical association between the survey responses and the clinical outcomes. Veterans who reported more intense mystical experiences showed larger reductions in PTSD severity. This pattern held true immediately after the treatment. It also persisted when the researchers checked on the participants one month later.

The researchers observed similar trends for other mental health measures. Higher scores on the mystical experience survey correlated with greater improvements in depression and anxiety. These findings align with previous research on other psychedelics, such as psilocybin, which has linked spiritual breakthroughs to improved mental health.

The study also identified changes in brain physiology. The researchers focused on a specific brain wave measurement called peak alpha frequency. This measurement reflects the speed of the brain’s electrical cycles when a person is resting but awake. High arousal states, often seen in PTSD, can be linked to faster alpha frequencies.

The data showed that more intense mystical experiences were associated with a slowing of this alpha frequency one month after treatment. This reduction suggests a shift away from the hyper-aroused state that characterizes trauma. The brain appeared to move toward a more relaxed mode of functioning.

This physiological change supports the idea that the treatment effects are biological and not just psychological. The slowing of brain rhythms may represent a lasting neural adaptation. It implies that the intense subjective experience of the drug might trigger neuroplastic changes that help the brain reset.

Brown and her colleagues suggest that the “ego death” often reported during mystical experiences may play a role. This phenomenon involves a temporary loss of the sense of self. It may allow individuals to detach from rigid, negative beliefs about themselves formed during trauma. When the sense of self returns, it may do so without the heavy burden of past guilt or fear.

The authors noted several limitations to their work. The study used an open-label design, meaning there was no placebo group for comparison. All participants knew they were receiving ibogaine. It is possible that their expectation of healing contributed to the positive results.

The sample size was also relatively small, consisting of only thirty individuals. Furthermore, the group was entirely male and composed of Special Operations Veterans. This specific demographic means the results may not apply to women or the general public. The unique training and resilience of these veterans might influence how they respond to such treatments.

The researchers also pointed out that the study relies on correlation. While the link between mystical experiences and recovery is strong, it does not prove causation. It is possible that a third, unmeasured factor causes both the mystical experience and the symptom improvement.

Despite these caveats, the research provides a foundation for future investigation. The authors recommend that subsequent studies use randomized, controlled designs to verify these effects. They also suggest exploring whether these psychological and physiological changes endure beyond the one-month mark.

Future research could also investigate the role of psychotherapy combined with the drug. In this study, the veterans received coaching but not intensive therapy during the dosing session. Combining the biological reset of ibogaine with structured psychological support might enhance the benefits.

This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting the potential of psychedelic therapies. It highlights the importance of the subjective experience in the healing process. For veterans struggling with the aftermath of war, these findings offer a preliminary hope that treatments addressing both the brain and the spirit may offer relief.

The study, “Mystical experiences during magnesium-Ibogaine are associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms in veterans,” was authored by Randi E. Brown, Jennifer I. Lissemore, Kenneth F. Shinozuka, John P. Coetzee, Afik Faerman, Clayton A. Olash, Andrew D. Geoly, Derrick M. Buchanan, Kirsten N. Cherian, Anna Chaiken, Ahmed Shamma, Malvika Sridhar, Saron A. Hunegnaw, Noriah D. Johnson, Camarin E. Rolle, Maheen M. Adamson, and Nolan R. Williams.