Elite CEOs pay $20K to endure a psychedelic 'hell ride' that rewires the human brain

Americans are spending thousands of dollars to travel for ibogaine treatments despite warnings that the powerful psychedelic carries potentially dangerous and even deadly risks.

At Ibogaine Clinic in Playa del Carmen, the center says it helps coordinate airport transfers, accommodations and other travel logistics for patients.

While Mexico has emerged as one of the leading destinations for ibogaine treatment, psychedelic retreats have also expanded elsewhere in Latin America, including Costa Rica, where travelers seek alternative wellness and recovery experiences, according to reports.

He had spoken publicly about turning to ibogaine in an effort to "rewire" his brain.

"I've had patients using ibogaine or ayahuasca for decades, and there's nothing magic about it, I assure you," Pinsky told Fox News Digital.

While some Americans travel to Mexico seeking relief from addiction, others are paying thousands of dollars for ibogaine experiences marketed as a way to improve performance, recover from burnout or gain a new perspective.

At Beond, stays cost between $12,500 and $20,000, with health and optimization clients typically spending about 10 days at the facility, according to the New York Post.

Some clinics are marketing ibogaine beyond addiction treatment, positioning the psychedelic as a tool for personal growth, performance optimization and emotional healing, according to the outlet.

Mike Stratton, a 34-year-old health company co-founder, told the outlet that he sought ibogaine while looking for what he described as a reset after his health and personal life had suffered amid a demanding work schedule.

Stratton underwent a high-dose "flood" treatment, which produced an intense experience as memories and thoughts surfaced.

"It was a hell ride," Stratton told the outlet.

The risks become particularly concerning when travelers receive intense psychedelic treatment at facilities where medical screening, emergency preparedness and follow-up care can differ widely.

The Times identified at least 40 clinics and wellness centers in Mexico offering ibogaine, compared with almost none a decade earlier. Treatments ranged from about $5,000 to nearly $20,000, excluding travel expenses.

Those facilities can range from luxury operations with credentialed medical professionals to informal practitioners working in far more rustic settings, according to the outlet.

Fox News Digital's Khloe Quill contributed to this report.