Colorado Poised to Become First State to Offer Regulated Ibogaine Therapy
Colorado regulators are reviewing rules that could add ibogaine to the state’s Natural Medicine program. The move would make Colorado the first state to provide regulated access to the African plant medicine. Currently, psilocybin remains the only substance available through licensed healing centers. The Natural Medicine Advisory Board recommended the change last year, and two state agencies must still approve it.
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| Key Takeaways | |
|---|---|
| Potential First | Colorado could become the first state to regulate ibogaine for medical treatment |
| Current Landscape | 34 licensed healing centers now operate statewide |
| Growth | One Denver center completed 95 sessions in its first year |
| Timeline | DMT and mescaline may also be added starting July 1 |
| Federal Status | Ibogaine remains a Schedule I substance nationally |
| Supply Challenge | Importing ibogaine may prove difficult due to federal restrictions |
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A Growing Network of Healing Centers
Colorado’s psychedelic therapy infrastructure continues to expand rapidly. The state now lists 34 licensed healing centers, with more than a dozen applications pending. These facilities range from standalone treatment spaces to yoga studios offering psilocybin services.
Downtown Denver’s Center Origin completed just over 95 sessions last year. The center opened last June after receiving the state’s first healing center license in March. Facilitators guide patients through a three step process: preparation, administration, and integration.
Dr. Jana Lomax, a licensed clinical psychologist, described the work as transformative. She noted that the training redefined her understanding of wellness and healing.
Why Ibogaine Matters
Ibogaine has shown promise for treating opioid addiction. Research suggests a single administration can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. The substance acts on multiple brain receptors simultaneously. This may explain the “reset” effect that many patients describe.
Texas recently allocated $50 million to fund clinical ibogaine trials. Veterans and addiction specialists have advocated strongly for expanded access. However, safety concerns remain significant. The substance can cause cardiac complications and requires intensive medical monitoring.
What Comes Next
State officials are also considering DMT and mescaline for a July 1 advisory board recommendation. Peyote derived mescaline remains excluded from consideration.
The federal government still classifies ibogaine as Schedule I, meaning it has no accepted medical use. Colorado may need to seek a federal waiver to import the substance legally. The state’s Natural Medicine Division continues working through these regulatory challenges.
Colorado’s model could influence how other states approach psychedelic medicine. For now, psilocybin therapy remains the accessible option for Coloradans seeking alternative mental health treatments.
