Ibogaine Legality by Country 2025
Country | Possession of Ibogaine↓ | Sale of Ibogaine | Transport of Ibogaine | Cultivation of Ibogaine | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Mexico | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Ibogaine is unregulated in Mexico, therefore, it is a popular spot for ibogaine treatment. |
 | Germany | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Ibogaine is unregulated in Germany, but for medical use it can be regulated by pharmacy rules (AMG). |
 | Netherlands | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | The Netherlands does not prohibit ibogaine, and there are various ibogaine treatment centers available. A Dutch naturopathic practitioner received an 8-year prison sentence in 2019 after being accused of administering ibogaine to a patient, leading to the patient's death. The defendant had been accused of the same crime several years prior, also in connection with the administration of ibogaine. |
 | Costa Rica | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Iboga and its chemical derivative, ibogaine, is not illegal in Costa Rica but the substance is also not regulated. |
 | Gabon | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Iboga legislation in Gabon falls under the jurisdiction of its Culture Ministry. Approval of the Culture Ministry must be granted for the export of any iboga tree products since the passage of a 1994 cultural protection law. |
 | Australia | Legal | Controlled | Legal | Legal | In 2010, ibogaine was scheduled as a Schedule 4 substance on the Therapeutic Goods Administration poisons list, making it a prescription-only medicine. However, ibogaine is not a controlled substance under Australian state and federal laws, and it is legal to possess, consume, and grow plants that contain ibogaine. |
 | Finland | Legal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Since 2014, ibogaine has been listed in the 'Government regulation of psychoactive consumer market of prohibited substances', in accordance with the Finnish Narcotics Act (373/2008) 3§3. |
 | New Zealand | Legal | Legal | Legal | Legal | Ibogaine was gazetted in New Zealand in 2009 as a non-approved prescription medicine. |
 | Uruguay | Legal | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Uruguay is one of a few countries that never criminalized the possession of drugs for personal use. Since 1974, the law establishes no quantity limits, leaving it to the judge's discretion to determine whether the intent was personal use. |
 | United Kingdom | Illegal (most circumstances) | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine is not identified by name in the UK's Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. However, since 2016, it falls under the provisions of the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. The act makes it a criminal offense to import, export, produce, or supply any substance that 'is capable of producing a psychoactive effect in a person who consumes it.' It also makes it illegal to possess a psychoactive substance in a prison or other custodial institution. To date, there have been no cases of people being prosecuted in relation to possession of ibogaine. |
 | United States | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I-controlled substance in the United States, and is not approved there for addiction treatment (or any other therapeutic use) because of its hallucinogenic, neurotoxic, and cardiovascular side effects, as well as the scarcity of safety and efficacy data in human subjects. |
 | France | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Tabernanthe iboga, Tabernanthe manii, ibogaine, its isomers, esters, ethers, and salts, whether natural or synthetic, and all preparations containing it, are included on the list of controlled substances of the French Ministry of Health, making ibogaine illegal to possess or distribute. The substance was included in 2007 following one death which was deemed to be connected to the use of iboga. |
 | Italy | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | In 2016, the Italian Ministry of Health issued an update[20] that added both 'ibogaine' and 'tabernanthe iboga plant' to Presidential Decree No. 309 (9 October 1990). Both were added to Schedule 1, as defined according to Law 79 of 16 May 2014, due to their central nervous system activity and 'hallucinogenic' properties. Possession or distribution may result in penalties including 2–12 months imprisonment. |
 | Belgium | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine, as well as its isomers, are listed in Chapter 2 of the Royal Decree of 1998 on psychotropic substances, which makes it illegal to 'import, export, manufacture, possess, sell or offer for sale, deliver or acquire', except with the express permission of Minister of Public Health. |
 | Sweden | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine was classified as a Schedule 1 substance in Sweden, and is now visible on the Drug Administration regulations (LVFS 2011: 10) on lists of drugs, which suggests it has no medical value. As such, it is illegal to possess or distribute. |
 | Israel | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | 2015 - Ibogaine is prohibited for distribution by Emergency declaration on distribution of prohibited substances under the fight against the use of hazardous materials 3834, which places it under the control of The Fight against the Phenomenon of the Use of Dangerous Substances Law until 25 February 2016. |
 | Switzerland | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine is classified as a prohibited substance on the Regulation of the EDI on the lists of narcotics, psychotropic substances, precursors, and auxiliary chemicals. As such, it is subject to the prohibitions stated in the Federal Law on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, which make it illegal to possess, grow, import, manufacture, or distribute. |
 | Norway | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine is illegal in Norway (as are all tryptamine derivatives). |
 | Ireland | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine is not specifically classified under Irish Law. However, since 2010, it may fall under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010.[17] The law prohibits all psychoactive substances, with certain caveats. |
 | Portugal | Decriminalized | Decriminalized | Decriminalized | Decriminalized | In 2001, Portugal decriminalized the possession of all drugs, which includes ibogaine. |
 | Brazil | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | On 14 January 2016, Ibogaine was legalized for prescription use in São Paulo, Brazil, with this legalization to extend to the rest of the country in a few months. |
 | South Africa | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | The South African Medicine Control Council published a statement in 2016 regarding a resolution to list ibogaine as a Schedule 6/Poison substance under the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 101 of 1965. The MCC decision effectively means that ibogaine may now be prescribed by a licensed medical professional, and is subject to certain other conditions regarding its prescription, production, import, and export. |
 | Canada | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Health Canada added ibogaine to the Prescription Drug List (PDL) in 2017, meaning that the drug can only be obtained legally with a medical prescription. In the past, ibogaine has been seized from several providers amid concerns over heart risks. |
 | Hungary | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Controlled | Ibogaine is listed under Section C) New Psychotropic Substances of Government Regulation 66/2012. (IV. 2) on drugs and psychotropic substances. This law makes the 'manufacture, import, export, transfer, purchase, distribution, warehousing, storage, maintenance, research, analysis, and preparation' subject to strict licensing restrictions. |
 | Denmark | Controlled | Controlled | Illegal | Illegal | Ibogaine as well as its salts and simple derivatives are included on List B of Denmark's Executive Order 698 of 1993 on Euphoric Substances, for 'substances used for medical and scientific purposes with substantial controls', meaning it is illegal to possess or distribute it. It may be possible to administer by doctors if they receive special permission from the Ministry of Health. |
Ibogaine, derived from the roots of Central Africa’s iboga plant, is a psychoactive substance known for causing hallucinations and dissociation. It has recently gained attention in psychology for its potential in treating mental health issues and addiction. However, its use is controversial due to dangerous side effects like low blood pressure, seizures, irregular heartbeat, paralysis, and even death. As a result, ibogaine is illegal or heavily regulated in many countries.
Legality of Ibogaine Across Countries (as of 2023)
- Mexico: Mexico does not regulate ibogaine, making it a popular destination for those seeking ibogaine treatment.
- Germany: In Germany, ibogaine is unregulated, except for certain pharmacy rules affecting its medical use.
- Netherlands: Ibogaine is legal in the Netherlands, with several treatment centers in the country.
- Costa Rica: There are no legal restrictions on ibogaine in Costa Rica.
- Gabon: In Gabon, legislation regarding ibogaine falls under the purview of the culture ministry.
- New Zealand: Ibogaine is available by prescription.
- Portugal: The sale of ibogaine has been decriminalized.
Factors Influencing Ibogaine’s Legal Status
The legality of ibogaine varies based on several factors:
- Research: The amount of human-focused research significantly influences a country’s decision to legalize ibogaine.
- Cultural Factors: The native status of the iboga plant and its cultural significance can impact ibogaine’s regulation.
- Global Trends: Legalization and deregulation trends in other countries can sway nations towards similar policies for ibogaine.
As understanding and global perspectives on substances like ibogaine evolve, so too do the legal frameworks governing their use. This dynamic landscape reflects the complex interplay of scientific research, cultural contexts, and international trends.
