Over the past few months, the phrase “Conor McGregor’s ibogaine treatment” has started appearing everywhere. The former UFC champion publicly revealed that he travelled abroad for a 36-hour ibogaine treatment at a clinic collaborating with Stanford researchers. Afterwards, he described psychedelic visions of his own death, encounters with Jesus, and a profound sense of being “saved” from years of trauma and chaos.
In the media coverage that followed, this rapidly became a kind of shorthand for the idea that even one of the most high-profile fighters in the world had turned to ibogaine when other options were not enough.
Around the same time, Netflix released In Waves and War, a documentary following U.S. Navy SEAL veterans with severe PTSD and traumatic brain injuries who also travel to Mexico for ibogaine based therapy, with a Stanford team tracking changes in depression, anxiety and suicidality.
For many people in the UK searching for help, these stories are the first time they have heard of ibogaine at all. They see headlines, Instagram reels and soundbites from celebrities who claim to have turned their lives around in a single, extraordinary night.
At Iboga Root Sanctuary (Ibogaine Treatment UK), we think this rising attention is a good thing. It shines a light on a medicine that, when used safely and responsibly, can be genuinely life changing.
At the same time, celebrity narratives often leave out crucial elements that make the difference between a powerful turning point and a dangerous, or simply disappointing, experience.
Why Celebrities and Influencers Are Suddenly Talking About Ibogaine
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid from the West African shrub Tabernanthe iboga. It has a unique ability to help with substance addictions, behavioural addictions, PTSD, depression and produce deep psychological insight in a single extended session, which has attracted growing scientific interest and underground use for decades.
In recent years, several converging trends have pushed ibogaine into the mainstream. For the average person who has been struggling for years with substances, depression or unresolved trauma, the appeal is obvious.
If an elite fighter or a famous trader can fly to a clinic, drink a bitter liquid and come back proclaiming freedom from cravings and suicidal ideation, why could the same not happen for you?
The reality is more nuanced. To understand that nuance, it is useful to look more closely at what these celebrities were actually trying to heal.
Other Celebrity Ibogaine Journeys: What They Were Treating
Several other public figures have spoken openly about ibogaine in recent years, each with very specific conditions in mind.
Lamar Odom: Addiction, PTSD and Anxiety
Former NBA star Lamar Odom’s story is one of near-death overdose, long term cocaine and alcohol misuse, and intense psychological distress. In Lamar Odom: Reborn and the follow up interview Lamar Odom: The Long Game, he describes travelling to a clinic in Mexico after a life-threatening crisis.
For Odom, the choice was part of a broader ibogaine treatment for addiction that targeted:
- Cocaine and opioid misuse
- Post traumatic stress from childhood and adult experiences
- Crushing anxiety and depression that persisted despite conventional rehab
He has since become an advocate for clinical ibogaine research, especially in the context of the opioid crisis and trauma related suffering in the United States.
Jordan Belfort: Opioids and Suboxone Dependence
Jordan Belfort, the real “Wolf of Wall Street”, has spoken candidly about a decade long dependence on the opioid maintenance drug Suboxone after multiple surgeries and years of narcotic use. Conventional detox attempts failed, leaving him trapped between chronic pain and withdrawal.
On the recommendation of a psychedelic coach, he travelled to a clinic in Cancun to receive ibogaine treatment for opioid addiction, describing a single flood dose session after which his physical cravings and withdrawal symptoms abruptly stopped.
Even allowing for media exaggeration, his account aligns with clinical observations that ibogaine can significantly reduce opioid withdrawal and support sustained reductions in use when combined with proper support.
Hunter Biden: Cocaine and Alcohol
In his memoir and interviews, Hunter Biden describes decades of cocaine and alcohol misuse, repeated failed attempts at conventional rehab, and a sense of being trapped in an “unending tunnel” of addiction. At one point he travelled to a clinic that used ibogaine, reporting a considerable period of sobriety after treatment.
What These Celebrity Stories Get Right About Ibogaine
Despite inevitable media simplification, the accounts above echo key findings from emerging research:
- A single dose of ibogaine has been associated with marked reductions in opioid withdrawal, craving and use, especially when delivered in a structured clinical context and with appropriate aftercare.
- In both veterans as well as civilians suffering from emotional, physical or psychological trauma, treatment with ibogaine has seen rapid improvements in PTSD symptoms, depression and suicidal thinking.
- Longitudinal follow ups suggest that individuals who combine ibogaine with therapy, lifestyle changes and community support are more likely to sustain their gains over time.
At Iboga Root Sanctuary (Ibogaine Treatment UK), we share this optimism. Our team has seen ibogaine help clients with substance and behavioural addictions, PTSD, anhedonia, depression, TBI and complex emotional trauma in ways that conventional approaches often have not.
Where we differ from celebrity narratives is in our focus on preparation, post-treatment integration, and aftercare.
What Celebrity Narratives Leave Out In Terms of Safety, Preparation and Integration
Most public accounts focus on the visionary content of the experience. They rarely dwell on the careful work that happened before, during and after. This is where a safe ibogaine clinic makes all the difference.
At a minimum, responsible programmes should emphasise what we call ibogaine preparation, integration, and on-site medical supervision.
- Comprehensive medical screening, including ECGs, lab work, cardiac risk assessment, medication review and psychiatric evaluation
- Careful tapering plans for opioids, benzodiazepines and other substances that interact dangerously with ibogaine
- Psychological preparation that helps you clarify intentions, stabilise your daily life, and build support ahead of the treatment
- Continuous cardiac and vital sign monitoring during the session, with qualified medical staff present and emergency protocols in place
- Immediate aftercare and integration support once the acute phase ends, including rest, nutrition, gentle bodywork and trauma informed processing
The key point is simple. A dramatic vision on its own does not rewire a life. Lasting change comes from combining ibogaine with medical safety, honest self-examination and structured follow up.
Where Iboga Root Sanctuary Fits In
At Ibogaine Root Sanctuary in Portugal, we have built our programme around:
- Medically assisted ibogaine detox and psycho spiritual work for people with complex addictions and mental health issues
- A strong focus on safety, screening and immediate aftercare.
- Trauma informed care that acknowledges the deep emotional wounds behind substance use, including childhood trauma, grief, relational pain and the numbness of anhedonia
For some clients, the presenting issue is opioid or alcohol dependence. For others it is long standing ibogaine treatment for depression and anxiety, PTSD, dissociation or eating related struggles that have resisted conventional therapy.
Celebrity stories can inspire you to believe that change is possible. Our role is to help you make that change in a way that fits your body, your history and your long-term life.
A Soft Invitation to Take Your Next Step
If you are reading this because you have been captivated by the idea of ibogaine treatment for addiction or recognise your own patterns in stories of athletes, traders or politicians, you are not alone. Many of our clients first heard about ibogaine in exactly that way.
The next step does not have to be booking a flight tomorrow. It can be as simple as:
- Reading more about ibogaine on our educational pages
- Reflecting honestly on what you are trying to heal
- Reaching out to ask specific questions about safety, suitability and timing
If you would like to explore whether our support in our treatment centre in Portugal might be appropriate for you, you are welcome to contact our team confidentially. We will look at your medical history, substances, mental health and personal situation, and give you a realistic sense of what ibogaine can and cannot do in your case.
Whatever you decide, we encourage you to treat ibogaine not as a celebrity trend, but as a serious therapeutic tool that deserves careful preparation, professional support and compassionate integration into the rest of your life.