ibogaine

English

Etymology

From French ibogaïne, from Myene iboga.

Noun

ibogaine (countable and uncountable, plural ibogaines)

1. (biochemistry) A naturally-occurring psychoactive compound found in a number of plants, principally iboga (Tabernanthe iboga), and used for medicinal and ritual purposes in African spiritual traditions of the Bwiti. Its use in opioid addiction treatment seems promising but has safety issues.
   • 2024 July 23, Oliver Barnes, “Google co-founder Brin backs biotech tapping psychedelic shrub for remedies”, in Financial Times, page 1:

     The biotech is launching clinical trials looking at ibogaine […] as a treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI), they said. Ibogaine has historically been used in spiritual rituals by forest-dwelling tribes in Gabon for its mind-altering effects.

Translations

a psychoactive compound found in some plants

• Portuguese: ibogaína f