Ibogaine Therapy: A More Natural Treatment for Addiction

Addiction has proven itself to be one of the most destructive and dangerous forces in a person’s life. From ruining families and relationships, to more serious actions like crime, addiction takes hold of an individual and can change their behavior in profoundly negative ways.

No two people become addicted to opiates for the same reasons. There are plenty of similar triggers, but everything underneath these triggers is unique to the individual. This is why no one method for treatment will work for every addict.

Treatment is a deceptive word. Often, our method of addressing addiction is either to lock someone in a room, or give them the same drug they are addicted to, just in a different form.

But alternative methods for treating addiction may prove to be more effective than our current traditional approaches. One of these alternative methods is called Ibogaine therapy, and it has the ability to treat opiate addiction on both the physical and psychological level.

The Changing Epidemic

The world continues to turn, and everyday new opiate addicts are created. Opioid addiction rates have gone up 500% in the last 7 years. With these kinds of statistics, it’s no wonder that the US government has declared a state of emergency regarding opiate addiction.

But our current treatment models aren’t adjusting to cope with the ever-growing problem of addiction. Currently, Alcoholics Anonymous models for treating addiction have a success rate of about 10%. And, with a majority of treatment programs based around this, the future looks bleak for many of those seeking to overcome their addictions through these programs.

Addicts should not be dissuaded by these figures. Alcoholics Anonymous can work great for some. Yet, many others left behind are looking for alternative methods that will be effective for them. One method that many addicts have turned to is travelling abroad, often to Mexico, to use Ibogaine—a psychedelic drug given in a medical setting.

The reason? Because Ibogaine has a special, natural way of detoxing the body from opiates.

What is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine may be new to your vocabulary, but it’s been around for a very long time. It’s a powerful psychedelic substance derived from the Iboga plant that grows wild in Africa. Native African tribes have used it for thousands of years, in the raw Iboga root form, for spiritual enlightenment and as a rite of passage in tribal rituals.

During the ‘war on drugs’ in the 1960s, Ibogaine was classified as a Schedule I drug. This made it illegal in the US, not only as medicine, but for scientific study as well.

Currently, Ibogaine HCL, the purest extracted form, is used outside the US to treat addiction. Ibogaine treatment centers, mostly in Mexico where it isn’t regulated, are able to use this medicine for its anti-addiction properties.

Ibogaine’s History

Ibogaine started mostly in Europe. Around 1901, French scientists learned how to extract the potent chemical from the Iboga plant. The drug was marketed under the name Lambarene for almost six decades. Used in tiny amounts, Ibogaine has a stimulant effect on those who ingest it.

In the course of the hippy movement in the 1960s, Ibogaine was discovered to treat addiction. It was at this time that a young heroin addict, named Howard Lotsof, decided to experiment with Ibogaine for the first time.

After ingesting the drug, Lostof had a profoundly spiritual experience. When he came out of this state, he discovered that his craving for heroin had virtually vanished. Days later, he was not experiencing the withdrawal symptoms that normally follow.

This led to a sudden interest in Ibogaine’s ability to interfere with serious addiction. Lotsof encouraged other addicts to try the drug as well—all with similar results. This led Lotsof down the rabbit hole and into a life devoted to studying Ibogaine.

How Does Ibogaine Work?

When an individual is severely addicted to opiates, their brain begins to physically depend on the drug just to feel normal. Their brain cannot naturally produce the chemical levels they have become accustomed to and, when they stop using, the change is so drastic that heavy withdrawal sets in—usually within just a few hours.

Ibogaine has the ability to effectively ‘reset’ the brain’s chemical levels and renew neurons that have been damaged by the addiction. This means that the addict can overcome, essentially skip, the majority of withdrawal symptoms with one dose of Ibogaine.

But Ibogaine also operates on the psychedelic level to target other factors that contribute to severe addiction.

The Psychological Effects of Ibogaine

Many addicts will have an intense psychedelic experience with Ibogaine. This introspective experience is why Ibogaine is often referred to as the ‘waking dream.’

During this experience, Ibogaine puts the addict in a more accepting state of mind where they are able to look at past trauma and other negative experiences from a unique perspective. This helps many addicts come to term with the underlying issues that are often the root of the addictive behavior.

This means the Ibogaine is not only able to target the physical withdrawal, but the underlying issues that cause addiction. Making Ibogaine completely unique in its approach to treating addiction.

Is Ibogaine Safe?

Ibogaine must be administered and supervised by a trained medical professional in a controlled environment. Just like any other medication, there are risks. A professional, medically based Ibogaine clinic will prescreen addicts before accepting them into their program.

Clinics also perform medical testing, EKG, liver enzyme, and blood testing, followed by a test dose of Ibogaine, to make sure the addict is healthy enough for the Ibogaine treatment. And, while this does not eliminate all possibility for negative side effects, this does significantly reduce negative reactions to Ibogaine.

Consider All of Your Options

Every individual needs their own specific treatment plan in order to be successful. Educating yourself on all available options can help improve your decision making process. Ibogaine may not be for everyone, but it can be effective for many.

Long-term sobriety is possible. Do not lose hope and never stop trying. Finding the right path is not easy, but it is worth it. Always consult a medical professional before making any decisions regarding alternative medical treatment options.

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