Medically reviewed by Dr. Mikel Alfredo Velázquez Pérez, Emergency & Critical Care Physician, Bassé — October 2026
The short version
- Ibogaine treatment is not appropriate while you are still taking Suboxone or right after stopping it.
- While our medical team reviews your history and advises on the preparation, the preparation itself is managed by your own physician: a gradual dose reduction, then a transition to a short-acting opioid for an extended period.
- There is no single timeline. It depends on your dose, how long you have taken it, and your medical history.
- We emphasize that you talk to our medical team before any travel plans are made.
For clients taking Suboxone
Suboxone requires particular care and preparation before Ibogaine treatment. Suboxone contains buprenorphine, a long-acting opioid medication that binds very strongly to the brain’s μ-opioid receptors and can remain active in the body for an extended period.
That strong binding is part of what makes Suboxone effective for opioid dependence. It also means that significant buprenorphine still occupying these receptors could interfere with the opioid-related effects of Ibogaine. Ibogaine acts on multiple receptor systems in the brain, so the interaction is more complicated than Suboxone simply “blocking” it. Even so, because residual buprenorphine could interfere with the treatment experience, an adequate time off is needed.
Stopping Suboxone is not a matter of skipping your medication for a few days. You will need to work with a local physician to gradually reduce your dose and, when medically appropriate, transition to a short-acting opioid for an extended period before you arrive at Bassé. This transition must be managed by a physician and should not be attempted on your own.
If a medication change is agreed upon, the time required varies from person to person. It depends on your current dose, how long you have been taking it, how your body responds to dose reduction, and your individual medical circumstances. Our medical team needs to review your medical history, medications, and appropriate screening results before assessing whether proceeding is medically appropriate.
If someone arrives too soon after stopping, there may still be substantial buprenorphine activity in the body. The Ibogaine experience may then not unfold as intended, and opioid withdrawal or other symptoms may return after the acute treatment period. We would rather you take the time to prepare properly than travel before your body is ready.
For clients taking methadone
Methadone requires particular care and preparation before Ibogaine treatment because it is a long-acting opioid and can remain in the body for an extended period. Coming off methadone can also be physically and emotionally challenging, so the process needs to be approached thoughtfully and on an individual timeline.
The amount of methadone you take, how long you have taken it, your response to dose reductions and your overall medical circumstances all matter. Our medical team will work with you to decide what preparation is appropriate before you arrive.
In general, clients taking methadone will need to gradually reduce their dose and transition to a short-acting opioid well in advance of treatment. This is an important part of preparing the body for Ibogaine and cannot be safely done as a last-minute change. Once you arrive, our medical team may transition you to morphine as part of our medically supervised preparation protocol, explaining the reasons, risks, and monitoring involved before making that change. Arriving already transitioned and stable on a short-acting opioid is part of that preparation.
We do not take this process lightly. Our goal is not to rush you through withdrawal or set an arbitrary timeline, but to prepare your body as carefully as possible. Our medical team will review your health, medications, cardiac screening (EKG), and relevant blood tests before deciding with you whether proceeding is medically appropriate.
What to send our medical team
Before making any travel or treatment arrangements, please share:
- Your current daily dose
- How long you have been taking it
- Whether your dose has changed over time
- A complete list of your medications and any other substances you use
Our medical team will review your history and advise you on the preparation and timeline that fits you. Contact us to start the conversation.
Common questions
Can I have Ibogaine treatment while I’m still taking Suboxone or methadone? No. You need to be fully transitioned before you arrive at Bassé, and that preparation starts well in advance.
How long do I need to be off Suboxone or methadone? There is no single number of days. It depends on your dose, how long you have taken it, how your body responds to dose reduction, and your medical history. Our medical team will advise you on this so that your local doctor can authorize and begin this part of the process with you.
Can I stop my medication on my own? No. The reduction and the transition to a short-acting opioid must be managed by a physician.
Why can’t I just stop a few days before I arrive? Both medications are long-acting and stay active in the body. A last-minute change can leave you unprepared, and symptoms may return after treatment.
What happens if I arrive too soon? Residual medication may interfere with the Ibogaine experience, and withdrawal or other symptoms may return after the acute treatment period.
Learn more about our approach to opioid addiction, medication interactions and eligibility screening.