2026
Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics in Brain Injury Recovery: A Thematic Analysis of Participant Narratives (2026)
This exploratory qualitative study examined how five adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) described the effects of psychedelic use on cognition, mental health, trauma recovery and post-injury identity. Three main themes emerged: trauma relief and greater emotional stability; a temporary post-dose cognitive “lift,” including perceived improvements in memory, clarity, coordination and cognitive functioning; and increased insight, acceptance and self-compassion.
Access Paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2026.1880026/full
Psychedelics for the Management of Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury: Findings from the Global Psychedelic Survey (2026)
This global survey study examined psychedelic use among 145 people with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who reported using psychedelics to manage brain injury-related symptoms. Participants described targeting cognitive, emotional and physical difficulties including memory, attention, mood, anxiety, fatigue, headaches and sleep problems. Psilocybin was both the most used and most frequently rated as the most effective substance, with participants also reporting use of LSD, DMT/5-MeO-DMT, ketamine and ibogaine.
Access Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41621525/
Psilocybin Restores Behaviour and 5-HT₂A Signalling While Reducing Microglial Density After Chronic Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats (2026)
This preclinical study examined whether a single dose of psilocybin could improve outcomes in rats with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI), administered one year after injury. Psilocybin-treated animals showed improvements in sensorimotor function and aspects of learning and memory, alongside restoration of TBI-related reductions in 5-HT₂A receptor binding and reduced microglial density in the prefrontal cortex
Access Paper:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2026.102867
Clinical Improvement Following an Integrative Iboga Microdosing Protocol in Post-Concussive and Hypoxic Brain Injury Syndromes (2026)
This naturalistic case series examined a six-week iboga microdosing protocol in three people with persistent neurological symptoms following traumatic or hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. The programme combined Tabernanthe iboga root bark microdosing with weekly AEDP psychotherapy and supportive nutraceutical care. All three participants reported improvement across symptoms including brain fog, fatigue, headaches, disequilibrium, mood, sleep and cognition, with two later reporting complete symptom remission and stopping symptomatic medication.
Access Paper: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1840956/abstract
Neurorestorative Properties of Ibogaine: Linking Multi-Receptor Affinities to Remyelination and Metabolic Restoration (2026)
This perspective paper reviews ibogaine’s potential neurorestorative mechanisms in conditions involving white-matter dysfunction, including traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis and opioid use disorder. The authors propose that ibogaine’s effects across several receptor systems may support neuroplasticity, metabolic recovery, reduced excitotoxicity and myelin repair, potentially involving pathways such as BDNF, GDNF, mTOR signalling, oligodendrocyte activity and cerebral blood flow.
Is Ibogaine Treatment Durable? 12-Month Follow-Up of Magnesium–Ibogaine Therapy (MISTIC) in Special Operations Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (2026)
This prospective follow-up study examined whether improvements after magnesium–ibogaine therapy were sustained over 12 months in U.S. Special Operations veterans with traumatic brain injury. Among the 25 participants who completed the final follow-up, large improvements in functional disability, PTSD, depression and anxiety remained at 12 months, with high rates of continued remission among initial responders.
Access Paper: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-026-04327-5
2025
Magnesium–Ibogaine Therapy Effects on Cortical Oscillations and Neural Complexity in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (2025)
This prospective observational study examined how magnesium–ibogaine therapy affected brain electrophysiology in combat veterans with traumatic brain injury using resting-state EEG. Following treatment, participants showed shifts in cortical oscillatory activity, including increased theta–alpha power, reduced beta–gamma power, and lower neural complexity, with some changes persisting at one month. These neurophysiological changes were associated with improvements in executive functioning, PTSD symptoms, anxiety and cognitive inhibition, linking altered brain dynamics with clinical outcomes.
Improved Mental Health Outcomes and Normalised Spontaneous EEG Activity in Veterans Reporting a History of Traumatic Brain Injuries Following Participation in a Psilocybin Retreat (2025)
Summary:
This observational study examined veterans with histories of traumatic brain injury who attended structured psilocybin retreats in Jamaica. Participants showed substantial improvements in depression, anxiety, quality of life, reintegration difficulties, and post-concussion symptoms four weeks after retreat participation. EEG findings suggested reductions in abnormal slow-wave activity (delta/theta) alongside altered alpha and beta connectivity patterns, potentially reflecting improved emotional regulation and cognitive processing.
Access Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40842948/
The Potential Role of Psilocybin in Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: A Narrative Review (2025)
Summary:
This narrative review explores psilocybin’s potential relevance to traumatic brain injury recovery by synthesising evidence across neurobiology, pharmacology, inflammation, and psychiatric outcomes. Including neuroplasticity, synaptogenesis, neurogenesis, inflammatory signalling, and serotonergic modulation. It reviews possible mechanisms involving BDNF, mTOR signalling, immediate early genes, and 5-HT2A receptor activation, while also considering psychiatric sequelae commonly associated with TBI such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cognitive dysfunction.
Access Paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12190232/
2021-2024
Magnesium–Ibogaine Therapy in Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (2024)
Summary:
This prospective observational study examined magnesium–ibogaine therapy (MISTIC) in 30 US Special Operations veterans with predominantly mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and histories of repeated blast/combat exposure. Participants received monitored ibogaine treatment combined with magnesium supplementation and supportive therapeutic activities. Researchers measured changes in disability, PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicidality, and cognitive performance immediately after treatment and at 1-month follow-up. The study reported large improvements in functional disability, PTSD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and cognitive performance, with benefits largely maintained at one month.
Access Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38182784/
Psychedelics for Acquired Brain Injury: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential (2023/2024)
Summary:
This narrative review examines the therapeutic rationale for using psychedelics in acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, and related neurological conditions. The authors explore how psychedelics may target core pathological processes common across ABI, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, disrupted neurotransmission, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired neuroplasticity, and cellular degeneration. Rather than focusing primarily on psychiatric outcomes, the review emphasises molecular and neurobiological mechanisms relevant to neurological recovery and repair.
Access Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38177350/
Psychedelics for Brain Injury: A Mini-Review (2021)
Summary:
This narrative mini review examines the emerging scientific rationale for using psychedelics in brain injury and neurorehabilitation, with a particular focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, reperfusion injury, and disorders of consciousness. Rather than concentrating on psychiatric applications, the paper reviews potential neurobiological mechanisms relevant to neurological recovery, including neuroinflammation modulation, hippocampal neurogenesis, structural neuroplasticity, and altered brain complexity/consciousness dynamics.
Access Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34393973/