Ibogaine Treatment

What is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring substance found in the iboga plant native in parts of Africa. It’s used in traditional spiritual ceremonies due to its psychedelic and dissociative properties, but is gaining recognition for its medicinal properties.

While ibogaine has not been the focus of many research studies, available data point to potential benefits for treating addiction, depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injuries, and PTSD.

Such benefits remain largely speculative and are still largely unproven. And, because of this, in the United States, ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I drug as per the Controlled Substances Act.

This means that it’s considered to have no accepted medical uses and has a high potential for abuse. Using ibogaine in the U.S. must be conducted under the supervision of qualified medical research professionals and within strict study parameters.

While ibogaine is highly regulated in the U.S., it’s used in other countries with fewer regulations.

How is Ibogaine Used?

When ingested, ibogaine produces strong mind-altering effects and hallucinations. Researchers believe that it interacts with certain neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin and impacts different parts of the brain. Its effects can last from a few hours to up to three days.

Ibogaine can promote neuroplasticity and curb cravings and withdrawal from opioid dependency. It does so by cultivating new neurons and helps rewire the brain. This may be especially beneficial for people experiencing trauma-related brain injuries and PTSD and helps them manage their symptoms.

Limited research inhibits the understanding of exactly how the drug works, its immediate and lasting effects, and overall safety.

FAQs

How Long Does Ibogaine Affect People?

Once ingested, the effects of ibogaine can last for days. Researchers have characterized a typical ibogaine experience in three stages. The first phase usually lasts from 4-8 hours and is a dream-like state where individuals perceive altered surroundings and can recall earlier life experiences.

The second phase is described as a state where users become emotionally neutral and reflective. This phase lasts anywhere from 8-20 hours. The final phase lasts up to 3 days and consists of greater awareness that tapers off as the drug loses potency.

People who have undergone ibogaine treatment have reported a better understanding of life, a shift in their perspective of life after death, and feeling relieved of guilt. Additional reports have indicated a renewed sense of self-esteem and feeling spiritually transformed after treatment.

Is Ibogaine Legal?

Ibogaine is not legal in the United States for consumer use. Its status as a Schedule l drug means it has no known medical benefits and has a high potential for misuse.

Ibogaine in the U.S. is strictly regulated and is allowed only under the most controlled research practices. Many other countries around the world have also made ibogaine consumption illegal.

However, some nations, such as the Netherlands, Germany, and Gabon, have no laws against its usage. In some countries, such as Mexico and New Zealand, ibogaine is legally prescribed and used in addiction treatment.

What is Ibogaine Used For?

Historically, ibogaine has been consumed during spiritual ceremonies by participants of the Bwiti religion in West Central Africa. They use the iboga root to experience an altered state of mind that helps them connect with their ancestors.

Researchers have started to determine the potential benefits of treating selected mental health conditions and substance use disorders. They’re looking at similar non-hallucinogenic analogs of ibogaine for drug dependencies.

Using ibogaine has led to serious and potentially life-threatening side effects. This includes heart arrhythmia and heart failure. Since ibogaine interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain, it can cause long-lasting psychedelic and dissociative effects on them, including neurotoxicity.

What is Ibogaine Treatment?

Ibogaine has been used to treat certain substance use disorders, including those related to opioids and stimulants, as well as mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD.

Individuals who receive ibogaine treatment follow a strict process that includes medical evaluations and comprehensive mental, emotional, and physical preparation before starting any treatment.

During treatment, individuals receive doses of ibogaine ranging from 500-800 mg. The exact strength depends on their weight. The number of sessions required and duration of treatment depends on each person’s unique needs and diagnosis.

After an ibogaine treatment, individuals are closely monitored for any medical side effects. They work with support staff to process their experiences and make plans for healthy lifestyle changes. These changes can include aftercare and long-term sobriety support.

It’s important to remember that ibogaine treatment in the U.S. is relatively uncommon. These programs are strictly regulated and conducted only under rigorous research standards. In countries where ibogaine treatment is more widely practiced, such as in Mexico and New Zealand, participants should still exercise extreme caution, given the side effects.

What is the Cost of Ibogaine Treatment?

The cost of ibogaine treatment ranges from $3,000-$20,000. Factors include the length of stay, the quality of the facility, and the number of treatments given. On average, clients spend around $12,000 for the program. In addition to ibogaine treatment costs, there are travel and miscellaneous expenses to consider.

Ibogaine Treatment Centers

In most countries, ibogaine treatment is illegal or highly regulated for research purposes only. Should you participate in an ibogaine program, the process typically consists of single doses of ibogaine for 7-10 days consecutive days as your symptoms and diagnosis warrant.

Significant and potentially life-threatening complications, including potentially fatal drug interactions, are possible.

Thus, medical personnel should be onsite at all times and ready to administer emergency aid as needed. Medical supervision is especially important during the initiation of treatment to determine how the client will respond to the medication.

The length of treatment and number of doses required to meet the desired outcomes varies from person to person. There are currently no universal standards of care supporting the use of ibogaine.

Ibogaine clinics do exist in the United States, but because of ibogaine’s status as a Schedule I drug, these clinics are rare.

Before enrolling in a program, be aware that many of these clinics are not medically licensed and may not be staffed with qualified personnel to properly administer and monitor you for potential complications that can arise from consuming ibogaine.

Getting Help for Opioid Use Disorders

While ibogaine treatment is rare in the United States, other evidence based treatments are highly effective. These programs include detox, medication assisted treatment (MAT), and inpatient and outpatient care.

Detox

Individuals with opioid addiction benefit from medical detox in the earliest stages of recovery. Medical detox uses FDA-approved medications to help curb cravings and ease withdrawal symptoms. During this process, individuals often receive around-the-clock medical monitoring and support.

Medical detox helps stabilize an individual’s physical and mental state to prepare them for further intensive treatment.

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)

For some, medical detox is the first step of their overall treatment plan. Others may need long-term support and receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT uses FDA-approved medications alongside counseling and other behavioral therapies.

MAT supports long-term recovery, decreases the risk of overdose death, reduces criminal activity associated with substance use disorders, and lowers the risk of infectious disease transmission like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis.

Inpatient Treatment

People experiencing opioid use disorders can benefit from inpatient treatment, especially if they need medical detox or have moderate to severe dependence.

During inpatient treatment, individuals participate in individual and group counseling that includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), supportive medications, and holistic modalities, such as yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture and acupressure, and meditation.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient opioid treatment might be best for individuals who require flexibility in their schedule due to work or personal obligations. These programs may include partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs that provide treatment without having to reside at the facility.

Other outpatient programs include individual, group and family counseling that utilize a variety of psychological modalities including CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing (MI), and peer support. Aftercare and sober living programs also support long-term sobriety.