Increased cortical thickness and decreased brain age among special operations veterans with blast TBI after a magnesium-ibogaine protocol

Geoly A.D., Coetzee J.P., Buchanan D.M., Struckmann W., Kim B., Sridhar M., Azeez A., Lissemore J.I., Cherian K., Faerman A., Keynan J.N., Singal P., Shanbour A., Bandeira I.D., Kratter I.H., Adamson M.M., Saggar M., Rolle C., Williams N.R. 2026. iScience
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john-ibogaine.pdf
DOI
10.1016/j.isci.2026.115121

Abstract

Background: Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid with therapeutic potential which may promote neuroplasticity. Its effects on human brain morphometry are unknown.

Methods: Thirty Special Operations Forces veterans with prior blast-induced TBI participated in an observational study in which they received ibogaine co-administered with magnesium. Structural MRIs were collected at baseline (n=25), initial post-treatment (n=25), and 1-month post (n=22). Longitudinal analyses assessed cortical thickness, subcortical volume, and predicted brain age (pBA); estimated from T1 scans.

Results: pBA was significantly reduced at 1 month relative to baseline (−1.3 years). Cortical thickness analysis revealed post-treatment increases in 11 regions. Subcortical analyses revealed significant volumetric expansion in 8 regions.

Conclusion: Magnesium-ibogaine therapy was associated with increased cortical thickness, subcortical expansion, and reduced pBA at 1 month. Although T1s are sensitive to nonstructural changes, the overall direction of effect is consistent with neuroplastic change.