What We Know About Ibogaine, the Psychedelic Presley Gerber Used

Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old model and son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, described undergoing a high-dose ibogaine treatment months before he died, according to social media posts cited by the New York Post.

Who was Presley Gerber?

Gerber, the son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber and brother of model Kaia Gerber, died Sunday, Sept. 20, at a rehab facility in California, the New York Post reported. His exact cause and manner of death remain pending, but police in Santa Monica, California, are investigating the death as a "suspected overdose," per the outlet. Gerber had spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction and mental health, saying in 2025 he had been sober from alcohol for five months and later detailing medications he was taking, including Xanax, buprenorphine and ketamine.

What did Gerber say about the ibogaine treatment?

In one of his final social media posts, Gerber shared video from a wellness center in Mexico that he visited in March, where he prepared to undergo what he called a "flood dose" of ibogaine, the New York Post reported. "Pre Ibogaine Flood Dose — quiet moment before everything changed," he wrote on Instagram, according to the outlet. "I was absolutely terrified, and I knew I would be again if I ever had to face something like this. Letting go of control didn't come easy, but I trusted there was something bigger than me guiding it. I knew why I was there."

He added: "I faced what I had been running from, and somewhere in all of it, I started finding my way back to myself. We shall see…. Praying it's the last time I have to come back." Crawford called her son a "warrior" at the time, while Kaia Gerber said she was "damn proud" of him, the New York Post reported.

What is ibogaine?

Ibogaine is described as a powerful psychoactive drug that has drawn interest over its potential to help treat addiction. Gerber's own account frames it as a treatment meant to "rewire" his brain, taken as part of a supervised protocol at the Mexican wellness center he visited in March.

What is being investigated in Gerber's death?

Santa Monica police have opened an investigation into the death as a suspected overdose, the New York Post reported, and Gerber's official cause and manner of death had not been determined as of the outlet's report.

What to watch

• Whether Santa Monica police or the Los Angeles County medical examiner release an official cause of death.
• Any statement from the Gerber or Crawford family beyond their earlier social media remarks.
• Whether the rehab facility where Gerber died issues a statement on his treatment history.
• Continued public discussion of ibogaine's use in addiction treatment following the case.