Colorado is on the verge of becoming the first state in the U.S. to allow the regulated use of ibogaine, a very strong psychedelic substance with potential for addiction and treatment of mental health disorders. This development comes amid growing interest in natural medicine reform and an ongoing opioid crisis.
Ibogaine is a compound derived from the iboga root, found in West Africa. It has strong psychedelic properties, and it mitigates symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Although ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I substance by the federal government, ibogaine’s therapeutic potential is gaining recognition globally. Â
One of Ibogaine’s prominent advocates is Talia Eisenberg, a former art curator from New York City. She successfully overcame heroin dependence with ibogaine treatment at the age of 20. Sixteen years later, she and her husband, Tom Feegel, run a licensed retreat centre focused on ibogaine treatment (Beond), located in Cancun, Mexico, offering treatments ranging from $9,500 to $19,500. Eisenberg said that the treatment changed her life. Specifically, her vision was to make life meaningful and to make conscious choices away from drug use. Â
We can hope the Colorado version of their model could be adapted by the state soon. Under the 2023 Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization Act, the state has decriminalized ibogaine and several other plant medicines, including psilocybin and mescaline. Â
“Keeping an eye on what happened in Colorado,” said Feegel during the Psychedelic Science Conference in Denver. “We are interested in bringing this model to the U.S., fulfilling the requirements of appropriate clinical standards.”Â
The Natural Medicine Advisory Board of Colorado initiated the review of ibogaine in June, acknowledging both its potential and risks. Governor Jared Polis has expressed interest in piloting the process of accelerating the rollout of this substance. “He’s looking into how to implement ibogaine efficiently,” Polis stated during a keynote session. Â
Dr. Victor Pablo Acero, a psychedelic researcher, noted, “I’m glad to see early promise in clinical practice prematurely. But clinical trials with the substance (ibogaine) remain scarce, and more research is needed. Colorado is ready to help fill that gap. A recently enacted Colorado state law requires the state to collate behavioral health outcomes of all psychedelic treatment and allow all collected data to be freely available to any researcher. “This is important in identifying what works,” said Ean Seeb, the natural medicine advisor to the Governor. Â
However, ibogaine has also been known to cause potentially fatal heart arrhythmias, especially long-QT syndrome, which has been mainly linked to deaths of patients. The medical experts advocate for clinical management and heart monitoring during treatment. Â
Feegel emphasized the need for strict regulation if ibogaine is to be introduced in the U.S. “It is just more of a surgical procedure than a traditional psychedelic therapy,” he noted. Additionally, cost remains a barrier, especially since insurance coverage is currently unavailable. Â
Beyond health and safety concerns, cultural respect is also critical. Indigenous leaders like Bwiti practitioners of Gabon, who use iboga in spiritual practices, expect to have true participation in Western adoption of ibogaine treatment. The Indigenous Advisory Group in Colorado is advocating for equitable compensation and ethical partnership to prevent cultural exploitation. Â
Colorado regulators are now working with a wide range of stakeholders, researchers, and Indigenous representatives to ensure that ibogaine is introduced both respectfully and safely. If successful, the state could mainstream a groundbreaking approach to treating addiction and trauma before the end of Governor Polis’s term in 2026.Â
References: Allen G. Colorado plans for rollout of ibogaine as the next regulated psychedelic plant medicine in healing centers. News: Health. July 21, 2025. Ibogaine eyed as next regulated psychedelic medicine in Colorado
