What are the differences between ibogaine and psilocybin as treatments?
Psilocybin has more clinical evidence and a more favorable safety profile than ibogaine; ibogaine carries a real risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias and has barely been tested in controlled research for most applications. If you are considering trying either substance, always discuss it with a doctor first, especially if you have heart problems or other health conditions.
Psilocybin works primarily through one type of serotonin receptor in the brain. Ibogaine targets dozens of different receptor types and transport proteins simultaneously, with moderate to weak binding affinity. One specific receptor type involved in nicotine signaling appears to be central to ibogaine's anti-opioid effect. That breadth makes ibogaine pharmacologically more complex and harder to control.
The difference in safety is the most pronounced. Ibogaine prolongs the heart's electrical rhythm in a way that can lead to cardiac arrest; multiple deaths from this have been reported. In addition, the substance is also toxic to nerve cells at higher concentrations. Psilocybin shows no comparable cardiotoxicity or nerve damage in the available literature. This makes ibogaine considerably riskier to use, especially outside medically controlled settings.
Psilocybin has more and better-controlled clinical data. Multiple clinical studies show promise for alcohol and tobacco addiction, with reductions in craving and increases in sustained abstinence, most strongly in combination with psychotherapy. For opioid addiction, ibogaine does not yet have a single double-blind randomized study proving effectiveness. The positive signals come from uncontrolled or retrospective studies with a high risk of bias. Only for cocaine addiction does one small randomized study with a positive result exist, but that is far too little to draw conclusions from.
In animal research, ibogaine reduced the intake of opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and nicotine -- a broad spectrum that psilocybin does not demonstrate. Whether this works the same way in humans has not yet been proven. A derivative compound (18-MC) retained the anti-craving effect in animal models without ibogaine's side effects, but clinical trials in humans were still planned at the time of publication.
Psilocybin does not itself cause addiction, which distinguishes it from most other substances considered for addiction treatment. This has been less thoroughly studied for ibogaine. Legally, both substances have restricted availability: ibogaine is entirely illegal in many countries, while psilocybin is in the early stages of regulatory recognition for therapeutic use in some countries.
All claims are based on reviews and one systematic review (PMID 30216039, 22640760, 25561484, 37615379, 39033264, 40005395, 42228481, 36674849). No randomized trials or meta-analyses are included in the source list. The evidence for ibogaine in humans is scarce and uncontrolled; for psilocybin there are multiple clinical studies but no large RCTs yet.
What does ibogaine do and what is it used for?
Ibogaine shows preliminary positive signals in opioid addiction, but the safety risks (including fatal cardiac arrhythmias) are real and well documented. Use is only justifiable under strict medical supervision, and in many countries the substance is not legal.
What is the difference between magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium glycinate?
Magnesium bisglycinate and magnesium glycinate are two names for exactly the same supplement. Whether it is better absorbed than magnesium citrate remains unclear: studies in healthy individuals yield contradictory results, and citrate currently has the slightly stronger evidence base.
What are the best proven methods to prevent and treat migraines?
Well-proven treatments are available for both acute attacks and prevention. For a mild attack, start with an NSAID or paracetamol, and for severe attacks choose a triptan, as early in the attack as possible.
Is berberine safe if you are taking medication?
Berberine inhibits liver enzymes that break down many medications, which can cause blood levels to shift. Do not combine it with medications without thought: always discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you are taking antidepressants, beta-blockers, statins, or blood pressure-lowering medications.
Is it better to take ashwagandha in the morning or in the evening?
More important than the timing: several regulators advise against ashwagandha. The Dutch RIVM warns against it (liver, thyroid, hormones, pregnancy) and Denmark has banned it in supplements. If you use it anyway, the timing makes no difference: morning versus evening has never been directly compared, so pick the moment you can keep up.
Does rapamycin help people live longer in good health?
Rapamycin works in mice, but whether it also leads to a longer and healthier life in humans has not yet been demonstrated. Side effects are real, long-term data in healthy people are absent, and use outside a clinical context cannot currently be justified.