Seeking Insights on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Tinnitus: Ketamine, Psilocybin, or Ibogaine?

[artlite]

Hello everyone,

I hope this post finds you well. I'm reaching out to this supportive community with a hopeful heart, seeking your wisdom and experiences regarding psychedelic-assisted therapies—specifically Ketamine, Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), and Ibogaine—as potential approaches to managing tinnitus, as well as symptoms of ADHD and depression.

My Story
Six weeks ago, I developed a constant tinnitus (a hissing sound) after a short exposure to medication. The sound is relentless, ranging from 8 to 10 out of 10 depending on my anxiety level and mood. I've noticed that the distress worsens when my nervous system is heightened, making it a deeply intrusive and challenging experience.

In addition to tinnitus, I've long suspected that I may have ADHD and depression, which further complicates my ability to focus and manage stress. While I've tried some conventional approaches, I strongly believe that acting quickly after the onset of tinnitus can be critical, and I'm looking for new possibilities to address it early.

Why Psychedelic Therapy?
From my research, therapies like Ketamine, Psilocybin, and Ibogaine show great promise in promoting neuroplasticity, helping the brain recalibrate, and offering emotional relief. While I understand that these therapies aren't guaranteed to "cure" tinnitus, I'm inspired by their potential to help reduce its impact—or at least change how I emotionally respond to it.

Here's a quick summary of what I've learned about these treatments so far:

Aspect	Ketamine	Psilocybin (Mushrooms)	Ibogaine
Mechanism	NMDA antagonist, promotes neuroplasticity	5-HT2A agonist, disrupts Default Mode Network (DMN)	NMDA antagonist, GDNF release, resets dopamine/serotonin systems
Duration	Short (30 mins–1 hour)	Medium (4–6 hours)	Long (12–24 hours)
Emotional Impact	Dissociative, calming	Emotional exploration, spiritual insights	Intense introspection, life-altering insights
Neuroplasticity	Strong, promotes BDNF	Strong, serotonin-driven plasticity	Strong, via GDNF stimulation
Access	Clinical settings	Limited to clinical trials or legal retreats	Clinics in select countries (e.g., Mexico)
Risks	Low risk; mild dissociation	Low to moderate risk, emotionally intense	Cardiac risks, intense psychological effects
Best for…	Emotional relief, CNS reset	Emotional breakthroughs, reframing tinnitus	Deep reset, for those prepared for intense experiences

My Experience with Psychedelics
I've previously had experience with:

• Ibogaine: I've undergone a flood dose, but the dosage was too high for me, and I didn't integrate the experience as well as I could have. Later, I explored microdosing Ibogaine, which provided a gentler and more manageable experience.
• Psilocybin Mushrooms: I've worked with Psilocybin in small to moderate doses as well as through microdosing. These experiences were insightful but also unrelated to tinnitus.

However, I have no experience with Ketamine.

What I'm Hoping to Learn
If you've undergone Ketamine, Psilocybin, or Ibogaine therapy—especially for tinnitus—I'd be so grateful if you could share your experiences.

Specifically:

1. How did you access the therapy? Was it through a clinic, retreat, or another avenue?
2. What was your experience like during and after the treatment?
3. Did you notice any changes in your tinnitus or how you emotionally responded to it?
4. Are there any specific providers, clinics, or retreat centers you'd recommend (or caution against)? Unless not allowed to share here then disregard.
5. How did you prepare for and integrate the experience into your daily life afterward?

Why This Matters
I understand that tinnitus is a deeply personal experience, and its impact varies greatly from one individual to the next. That said, I see immense value in community sharing, especially when it comes to emerging treatments like psychedelic-assisted therapy. I believe your stories—whether of success, challenges, or lessons learned—can provide guidance and hope to others, including myself.

I'm trying to stay positive and proactive in this journey, even in the face of this persistent and distressing condition. Your insights would mean the world to me and could help me navigate this path with more clarity and confidence.

Final Thoughts
If you're comfortable, I'd love to hear your story big or small. Please feel free to share as much or as little as you're willing.

Let's keep this discussion positive and supportive.

I would love to share and receive any support possible during this time.

Thank you so much for your time, energy, and kindness in reading this post and (hopefully!) sharing your experiences.

Warm regards and best wishes to all,
Krzysztof from Poland

 

[Kam75]

Czesc Krzysztof, this reminds me of a Tinnitus Talk member who claimed that psilocybin "basically cured" his tinnitus.
You can find his testimony here.

 

[acharax]

I had eight ketamine infusions over a two-month period in 2022 at a clinic in California, hoping to alleviate tinnitus and other conditions. While the ketamine had no effect on the tinnitus, it did eliminate my depression for a time. Unfortunately, the depression returned after about four months. Each ketamine session felt like being immersed in a vast kaleidoscope of vibrant, constantly shifting shapes. The clinic charged $5,000, making it an expensive but effective way to experience four months free from depression.

I have also tried psilocybin and a combination of psilocybin and MDMA therapy about four times, aiming to address the tinnitus, but these were no more effective for the condition than the ketamine. However, the psilocybin and MDMA trips resolved some deep psychological and grief related issues that years of talk therapy had failed to address.

I am now considering trying the psychedelic 5 MeO DMT (commonly referred to as "toad"). The trip reportedly lasts only about 20 minutes, but it is said to be more powerful, whatever that means, than most other psychedelics. The cost of the psilocybin and MDMA sessions averaged around $600 each.

By the way, it would be helpful to include a brief explanation of abbreviations like NDMA, BDNF, and others. As a scientist, I always introduce the full term before using an abbreviation so that readers do not feel lost or excluded.

Thank you for starting this thread in such a meaningful way. I look forward to reading others' experiences, especially regarding ibogaine, which I have not yet tried.

 

[Angophora]

My husband, who has chronic and distressing tinnitus, underwent over nine months of ketamine treatment for depression last year. He accessed the treatment through a free local health clinic in Sydney. Initially, he received intranasal ketamine, but later switched to subcutaneous administration.

During the treatment, his tinnitus occasionally spiked significantly. The spikes were less pronounced if he took a benzodiazepine beforehand. Although the treatment did not have any long-term effect on his tinnitus, it was highly effective for improving his mood. He describes it as the most impactful treatment he has ever had for depression. Unfortunately, the benefits did wear off over time.

The clinic did not provide any integration support, so we self-funded appointments with a therapist to help him process and talk through his experiences.

Other relevant details:

1. He occasionally finds that a small dose of psilocybin provides complete silence from tinnitus for an hour or two, though this does not happen every time.
2. He has ADHD and finds that his prescribed dexamphetamine helps him focus on other things, temporarily allowing him to shift his attention away from the tinnitus.

 

[artlite]

Hey everyone,

I've begun microdosing ibogaine root bark, and I'll be sharing my experiences with you as they unfold. I've also signed up for quantum healing sessions with a coach—so let's see where this path leads. I'm willing to experiment on myself albeit safer now.

I'm no scientist but let me break down some of the science I read about behind terms you might encounter in discussions here.

• NDMA (N-methyl-D-aspartate): Imagine this as a doorman at a nightclub (your brain). It controls the entry of certain "VIPs" (like calcium and sodium ions) into the club (your neurons). These VIPs help the club light up and throw an amazing party, which is how learning, memory, and other cognitive functions happen. Too much stimulation, though, and the party goes wild—leading to neurotoxicity. Suddenly the doorman's letting everyone in. Way too many ions flood the club! The DJ (your synapses) cranks the volume to max, neurons are flashing like strobe lights, and now the party's out of control. People are swinging from the chandelier (axons), the walls (neural pathways) are shaking, and someone definitely spilled their drink on the electrical wiring (your brain cells). Next thing you know, the fire alarm goes off, and the brain is like: "This isn't a party anymore—this is a neurological emergency!" Neurotoxicity kicks the door down and shuts the whole thing down for good until police (yourself) arrives to clean up the mess with your LLLT lasers, magnesium and hyperbaric chambers and what not. Good luck!

• BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor): Think of BDNF as your brain's personal trainer. It helps neurons grow stronger, form new connections, and recover from injury. With BDNF leading the charge, your brain becomes a cutting-edge skyscraper of connectivity—stable, adaptable, and ready for anything! Psychedelics like ibogaine might work, in part, by giving this trainer a boost, helping your brain adapt and heal. It will be a highly individual journey though.

While walking in nature today, connected to ibogaine, I felt vibrant, strong, and oddly at peace. There's something profound about the way this plant medicine seems to tap into vitality itself. The realization hit me: how foolish it is to choose a synthetic drug over a safer, natural alternatives like microdosing psychedelics. I don't mean to shame anyone's choices—we're all on unique journeys—but this insight felt deeply personal. I had moments of sadness and even a touch of anger directed at myself.

I'll keep you updated as the ibogaine and quantum healing unfold. If anyone else here tried microdosing or any other experimental modalities - I'd love to hear your experiences!

Wishing you all clarity and courage on your own paths, please stay positive. In the end the body shall listen to the mind, not the opposite.
Tinnitus is a messenger, not a life sentence—step by step, any healing is possible.

 

[acharax]

I have been microdosing LSD every third day for years. While it has had no effect on my tinnitus, it has noticeably increased my motivation and improved my mood.

 

[withintention]

Anecdotally, I can report that Psilocybin has no effect on my tinnitus but I've never done a "heroic dose."

I've tried Ketamine (full dissasociative dose) and found it had no effect either.

 

[Ear Drummer]

Many years ago, I tried what I believed was MDMA for the first time. The morning after, I noticed a significant reduction in my tinnitus. I tried it several more times afterward, but I never experienced the same level of improvement as I did that first time.

I have also used psilocybin multiple times and have microdosed it frequently. While I have never noticed a reduction in my tinnitus from psilocybin, microdosing does provide some relief from depression and a slight, temporary improvement in mood.

I am very interested in continuing to explore the effects of MDMA, but I have not found a reliable or affordable source. I am also unsure whether it might be available for medical use in my city or province.

There's an MDMA thread in Research News if you haven't already had a look there:

MDMA (a Component of Ecstacy) Potential for the Treatment of Tinnitus

A new idea: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/9806851/Party-drug-link-to-tinnitus-cure

www.tinnitustalk.com

P.S. Sorry, I wrote my above reply forgetting that MDMA wasn't one of the substances mentioned originally, but it might still be of interest.

 

[wrk2liv]

I can report that psychedelics—LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca—have had no effect on my tinnitus.

 

[CurlyBee]

Specifically:

1. How did you access the therapy? Was it through a clinic, retreat, or another avenue?
2. What was your experience like during and after the treatment?
3. Did you notice any changes in your tinnitus or how you emotionally responded to it?
4. Are there any specific providers, clinics, or retreat centers you'd recommend (or caution against)? Unless not allowed to share here then disregard.
5. How did you prepare for and integrate the experience into your daily life afterward?

I recently started a ketamine treatment program through a psychiatrist's office. My audiologist referred me to this practice. I have been suffering from tinnitus since 2020 after we were rear-ended in a car accident where I hit my head hard on the headrest. Less than a year later, we were hit again, this time while in a car wash. Since then, I have been hearing a constant tone around 14,600 Hz.

I have struggled greatly with retraining because my hearing is extremely sensitive, and I have some ADHD tendencies. My mind zeroes in on that tone, and I cannot push it to the background no matter how hard I try. The advice I keep getting is to "push it away," but that has not worked for me so far. I know part of this is psychological. I feel victimized, and I am angry at the people who caused these accidents. They are out there living their lives, while my life has been severely impacted. I cannot function or concentrate, and since I work on creating and editing instructional videos, I am having a hard time focusing enough to edit voiceovers and sound. I feel completely miserable.

This Wednesday will be my final session out of eight. I have tolerated the treatments pretty well overall. They are administered intravenously in a doctor's office in Denver, with each session lasting an hour, plus extra time afterward to recover. Initially, I went once a week, but after the first week, I started going every three to four days.

I have very little experience with other drugs. In the 1980s, I tried ecstasy once or twice when it was legal in Austin, Texas. I also tried cocaine once and smoked marijuana twice — once in 1988 and again in 1992. More recently, I occasionally tried THC gummies after moving to Colorado where marijuana is legal. I was hoping they would help me sleep since the tinnitus often wakes me up at night and keeps me from falling back asleep. Unfortunately, the gummies did not help. They just made me feel loopy the next morning, sometimes for most of the day. I do not like the feeling of losing control, which is ironic since that is exactly what I am doing with the ketamine treatments.

I am also terrified of needles, so it took me five months to work up the courage to start this program. Thankfully, the experience has not been bad at all, and I feel much safer knowing the treatments are supervised in a medical office.

The first session was mild, and I felt like I could "steer" the experience. Since I had lost all of my family, I tried to use that time to connect with them because I had no idea what to expect from ketamine. Being an artist, I then tried to focus the experience on coming up with new design ideas. I used an eye mask and over-the-ear headphones, playing a mix of music that included Deuter, Steven Halpern, and Liquid Mind, which greatly enhanced the experience.

As the sessions progressed, I realized that part of the process involves letting go — surrendering to the experience and the effects of the drug. Today was my most intense session yet. I finally recognized that what I was experiencing felt similar to a visit to the Meow Wolf art exhibit in Denver. I was actually traumatized by my visit there last Christmas because I did not understand it at the time. Now I realize that much of the art there was probably conceived during similar altered states.

This experience has made me reflect a lot on how someone struggling with life might want to stay in that impaired state to avoid the chaos of the outside world. For me, it feels peaceful, even though it is strange and bizarre. I wonder where all of this imagery and information comes from in my mind. After researching other psychedelic options, I am glad ketamine lasts only about two hours. I do not think I could handle something that lasts six hours or more. I do not feel any desire to try other psychedelics, but I am open to continuing with a monthly session to see if it brings further improvement.

I approached this very cautiously because I do not feel that I have addictive tendencies. I have used Klonopin for anxiety in the past but only very rarely — maybe one quick-release tablet once a month or every two months. During the first few ketamine sessions, they gave me something for nausea along with Klonopin to lower my blood pressure slightly. By the fourth session, I managed without the Klonopin, and I actually preferred it that way because it felt easier to return to normal afterward. However, I did read that combining Klonopin might help tinnitus, so I might use it again for my last session to see if it makes any difference.

Because I cannot drive after these treatments and the office is an hour and a half away, I have to rely on my husband or friends to take me.

The bad news is that the ketamine has not significantly affected my tinnitus yet. I have had a few quiet moments where I thought it might be helping, but right now the ringing is still very loud. My dentist told me his tinnitus got worse during ketamine treatments but eventually subsided and improved, so I am holding onto hope that things might change in the coming weeks or months.

The good news is that I feel much more mellow overall. I deal with a lot of anxiety because of this condition, and I can feel that anxiety easing a little. I am hoping that over the next few months, my mind will settle enough for the treatments to have a greater impact. I will keep you posted.

There was an article in the New York Times today about Ibogaine retreats and American veterans. This is a gift article.