Psychedelic 'restarts your brain,' hurt athletes say
Los Angeles Times
|September 12, 2025
As awareness grows around the dangers of head trauma in sports, a small number of professional fighters and football players are turning to a psychedelic called ibogaine for treatment.
DURING IBOGAINE treatments, patients have a psychedelic-trip experience.
Ibogaine, which is derived from a West African shrub, is a Schedule 1 drug in America with no legal medical uses, and experts urge caution because of the need for further studies. But the results, several athletes say, are “game-changing.”
“It saved my life,” said former NFL offensive guard Robert Gallery, who traveled to Mexico in 2023 to try ibogaine.
“I’m not anxious all the time, I’m not depressed,” he continued, “I can go for a run and be thankful that I’m alive, rather than having a thought that I should step in front of a semitruck coming down the road.”
The psychedelic substance is derived from the iboga plant, and proponents tout its ability to treat addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury, or TBI.
An observational study of 30 special forces veterans by researchers at Stanford University suggests that ibogaine can be highly effective at reducing anxiety, depression and cognitive challenges associated with TBI.
“This is a miraculous thing,” said retired MMA fighter Tait Fletcher, who credits the treatment with freeing him from suicidal ideation.
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre even tried ibogaine to see whether it could help his Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disease linked to TBI.
FORMER RAIDERS guard Robert Gallery traveled to Mexico in 2023 to try the psychedelic ibogaine.Although athletes are just discovering ibogaine, the drug is well known within the veteran community, which experiences high rates of brain injury and PTSD.
This story is from the September 12, 2025 edition of Los Angeles Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
Winter rains fall, and so do the records
Another major storm is forecast, bringing threats of more flooding and slides.
5 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
As billionaires, will the Beyoncés and the Taylor Swifts stand up to tyranny?
The reluctance of the 1% to protect democracy has left many of us feeling hopeless
3 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Back from the dead, a legacy paper adopts startup mindset
It’s a rare, hopeful reversal for Santa Barbara. New editor calls it 'greatest role.'
3 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Why Japandi Is the Style Everyone Wants in 2026
For 2026, interior design is shifting from pure aesthetics to emotional well-being.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Parting words of wisdom from the legendary investor Buffett
The advice that legendary investor Warren Buffett offered on investing and life over the years helped earn him legions of followers who eagerly read his annual letters and filled an arena in Omaha every year to listen to him at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meetings.
2 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Grandmother, boy killed in Gaza tent fire
A grandmother and her 5-year-old grandson burned to death in Gaza when their tent caught fire, as thousands of Palestinians battle harrowing winter conditions in flimsy makeshift housing and the humanitarian crisis persists.
3 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
UCLA’s Chesney rounds out his coaching staff
Bob Chesney's initial UCLA football staff is going to have a familiar feel to anyone who follows James Madison.
3 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
Faith leaders gird for year of tougher immigration issues
They offer support to anxious migrants who fear president’s wrath in their communities.
5 mins
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
‘Stranger Things’ series finale pulls estimated $25 million at box office
The finale of Netflix’s blockbuster series “Stranger Things” gave movie theaters a much needed jolt, generating an estimated $20 to $25 million at the box office, according to multiple reports.
1 min
January 03, 2026
Los Angeles Times
What we get from newspapers
Re “As newspapers fade, a useful physical object disappears too,” Dec. 29
4 mins
January 03, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size