Mississippi will fund clinical trials for ibogaine, a psychedelic drug, under legislation signed by Gov. Tate Reeves, the DeSoto County News reported March 19.
The law calls for the Mississippi State Department of Health to establish a partnership to study ibogaine’s effectiveness in treating addiction, depression and traumatic brain inquiries.
No state funds are attached to the bill. Lawmakers said they plan to allocate opioid settlement funds for the effort, which could reach up to $5 million.
Ibogaine was classified by the federal government as having no medical use in 1970 due to safety concerns, including fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Interest in the drug has remained steady. A 2024 Stanford study suggested it may reduce symptoms of traumatic brain injury and mental disorders, though critics cited limitations, including the lack of a control group.
