Exciting things are happening in the realm of ibogaine research in the United States. This natural medicine has changed many lives over the past several decades in other nations, but it is thus far illegal for all medical applications in all 50 U.S. states. However, fortunately, thanks to hard-working activists who truly believe in the wonders of ibogaine, change may be coming in our country soon.
First, in May of 2025, Texas passed the Texas Ibogaine Initiative. This initiative’s goal was to secure state funding for research on this medicine to determine whether or not this medicine can help people who are struggling with conditions like PTSD, addiction, anxiety, depression, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Parkinson’s disease, and others in a safe and healthy way. The Texas Ibogaine Initiative secured over $100 million in funding ($50 million from the state and $50 million from a pharmaceutical company, plus additional funding from three philanthropic family foundations in the state) to run clinical trials to determine safe ways to use ibogaine to treat opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder, and other co-occurring mental health conditions.
Now, Colorado is stepping into the ibogaine research arena as well. On March, 6, 2026, HB26-1325 was introduced in the Colorado General Assembly, and on June 4, it was signed by Governor Jared Polis. What does this new research bill entail, and what does it mean for ibogaine treatment in the Centennial State? Read on to learn more about it - and to find out how states like Texas, Colorado, and others like Arizona, Louisiana and Tennessee may be helping to make ibogaine accessible to all Americans down the road.
What Is Ibogaine?
Ibogaine is a medicine that is changing lives. This medication is one that starts from an all-natural base; the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, a plant native to Central and West Africa, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that is synthesized into ibogaine for medicinal use. The psychedelic properties of this plant were first discovered by practitioners of the Bwiti religion in Gabon and neighboring countries. These people use iboga for religious and ritual purposes. Under the influence of iboga, they see visions and engage in experiences that deepen their understanding of themselves, and also use it in group settings to celebrate and worship.
In the early 1960s, ibogaine made its way to the United States, and small groups of people began to use it recreationally. A 19-year-old man named Howard Lotsof used ibogaine with some friends and discovered that after his ibogaine experience, he no longer had cravings for heroin, despite being an addict before trying the drug. He shared this experience with his friends, and they, too, found that they, too, were able to quit using heroin without a struggle.
Lotsof became a strong advocate for ibogaine for the rest of his life, and many doctors and researchers took notice and found positive findings that matched his experience. However, due to the fact that ibogaine use also comes with some risks, it never became accepted for widespread use and, so far, it has always remained illegal in the United States.
Why Is It Illegal?
Unfortunately, ibogaine is illegal in the United States today and in most nations around the world. The reason for this is simple; many health departments and lawmakers worldwide believe that ibogaine is dangerous and that it is something that it does more harm than good. On the one hand, they are not wrong that it is dangerous. Without proper understanding, experience, and regulation of this medication, it can, in fact, be dangerous. Even in a controlled environment, ibogaine can cause cardiac issues that can lead to death. Deaths during ibogaine treatment are not common, but there is some risk involved. These risks can be mitigated through various methods, but they will always be present.
However, most patients and medical providers are very aware of the potential risks. Despite this fact, many believe the benefits are worth the risk. Ibogaine has proven to be very effective for people who struggle with addiction and with other applications as well. Many people consider ibogaine to be a life-changing substance, and even people who have not had the opportunity to try this type of treatment are eager to try it despite the potential risks.
As a result, today, people who are interested in trying ibogaine for the issues they face can and do travel to countries where it is legally accessible for treatment. Ibogaine treatment is available in places like Mexico and Costa Rica, and many Americans travel to these nations to receive it. Doing so is legal, of course, but traveling to another country for treatment can be very expensive. Travel costs can add up quickly, and healthcare received in other nations is not covered by American insurance. This makes ibogaine treatment cost-prohibitive for many of the people who could benefit from it.
Advocates for ibogaine have been working hard for decades for more funding and research into ibogaine in the United States. It’s their hope that someday, ibogaine will be easily accessible for those who can benefit from it within our nation’s borders. After many years of frustration in this realm, it’s finally starting to look like ibogaine treatment may someday be available here, even though there is still a long way to go before that dream becomes a reality.
What Is HB26-1325 All About?
Colorado House Bill 26-1325 was introduced in the Colorado legislature on March 6, 2026. A little less than three months later, and after a few revisions, it was signed into law on June 4, 2026, by Governor Jared Polis. This passage of the act establishes a research pilot program in the state of Colorado to determine the safety and effectiveness of ibogaine for the treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
The pilot program will receive $150,000 annually in state funds, and the passage of the bill allows the state Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) to solicit gifts, grants, and donations from public and private sources to further increase research funding, and it allows the BHA to create and manage up to five ibogaine pilot sites within the state. Further, this pilot program may also receive some federal funding from the executive order recently signed by President Trump.
Of course, all pilot sites will be required to comply with the FDA’s Investigational New Drug process, which mandates medical oversight and safety protocols during testing to protect pilot study participants. Furthermore, Colorado’s Natural Medicine Division and the Department of Regulatory Agencies will establish rules to govern the manufacture, administration, and use of ibogaine in the Centennial State.
Doors opened for ibogaine research in Colorado through the passage of Proposition 122 - the Natural Medicine Health Act - in 2022, which decriminalized the use of natural psychedelics like psilocybin and DMT. However, it wasn’t until HB26-1325 passed this year that state-sponsored ibogaine research could begin. Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act decriminalized psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) for personal, non-commercial use, and created a legal, licensed model for supervised access to these natural substances.
The supervised access provision of this act has opened doors for ibogaine research in Colorado. Thanks to the Natural Medicine Health Act, adults can receive natural medicine services within licensed healing centers under the supervision of state-certified facilitators, under the oversight of the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Natural Medicine Division, which licenses and regulates these businesses, and the Department of Regulatory Agencies, which oversees practitioner training, licensing, and safety regulations. Without the passage of the Natural Health Medicine Act in 2022, the passage and implementation of HB26-1325 would not have been possible, and ibogaine research would still be a far-off dream in the state of Colorado. But, thanks to it, this pilot program can move forward.
For a pilot site to be approved, it must comply with both state and federal regulations, first and foremost. Without federal approval, ibogaine research will not be allowed to proceed in Colorado. Furthermore, each pilot site must establish a benefit-sharing plan with indigenous communities in Africa that use iboga.
Of course, even though many individuals and agencies are working hard to get Colorado’s ibogaine research pilot program underway, it will likely be many months before the first clinical dose of ibogaine is administered in Colorado. Regardless, it’s very exciting to know that ibogaine research will soon be underway in the Centennial State, as well as in other states like Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Tennessee, and others. For many years and even many decades, it seemed as if ibogaine treatment would never be available to Americans on American soil, but now, it appears that this treatment may soon be accessible to those who need it most, without anyone having to leave the United States to receive it. What is happening in Colorado regarding ibogaine research is very exciting and gives advocates much hope. Surely, once successes are achieved in one or more states, ibogaine will likely be available nationwide as well.
Transcend Ibogaine
In the meantime, Transcend Ibogaine offers luxury ibogaine retreats in Cancun, Mexico, and has a staff with years of experience. If you or someone you love are seeking ibogaine treatment and are willing to travel abroad to receive it, then look no further. Transcend Clinic is a small, client-focused, luxury ibogaine treatment center offering 7- and 10-day programs in a beautiful, comfortable setting. The full-time, on-site staff is eager to help visiting clients. From pre-care to clients’ visits, ibogaine experiences, and after-care, they’re there for you and with you every step of the way.
Anyone interested in learning more about ibogaine and its benefits can contact the clinic to ask questions or to schedule a visit. Transcend’s enthusiastic staff is standing by to help callers determine whether ibogaine is right for them. Contact Transcend Clinic today to learn more and take your first steps toward a healthier, happier life. The staff at Transcend can’t wait to hear from you - and looks forward to helping you take the first steps on a journey that will, undoubtedly, change your life for the better.