Psychedelics To Treat Addiction? How Substances Like Ibogaine Are Changing The Game

This article was originally published on Microdose and appears here with permission

Addiction is a complex and challenging condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Traditional treatment approaches often focus on managing withdrawal symptoms and addressing behavioral patterns. However, the psychedelic renaissance has introduced a groundbreaking perspective: using substances like ibogaine to facilitate profound healing and recovery.

Ibogaine: A Potentially Powerful Tool In Addiction Treatment

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant, traditionally used by indigenous communities for healing and spiritual purposes. In recent years, it has gained significant attention for its potential in treating addiction, particularly substance abuse.

What is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid that is derived from the Iboga shrub native to West Africa. It is the primary constituent of interest in the shrub to scientists and researchers today due to its therapeutic potential in addiction treatment. In particular, Ibogaine has shown incredible efficacy in drastically reducing if not eliminating the physical withdrawals from opiates, such as OxyContin, morphine, and heroin. It has also shown demonstrable efficacy in alcohol and stimulant addiction as well. Consuming the psychoactive shrub is a traditional part of the Bwiti custom and is used in coming-of-age rituals. It’s speculated by some that the powerful psycho-spiritual experience brought on by Iboga is the reason the Bwiti people don’t have a word for depression or addiction.

How is Ibogaine Used To Treat Opioid Addiction?

Of all the different substances people abuse and use Ibogaine to recover from, its ability to treat opioid addiction is particularly remarkable. This is because the active chemical Ibogaine hydrochloride (Ibogaine HCl) not only suppresses and eliminates opioid withdrawals but prevents cravings for some time afterward as well. To date, no modern pharmacotherapies that are currently available can boast the therapeutic benefits that Ibogaine can for opiate addiction. However, as effective as Ibogaine can be in the treatment of opioid addiction, there are some significant drawbacks in regard to toxicities when using Ibogaine that needs to be considered as well.

Evaluating the Risk of Cardiotoxicity When Utilizing Ibogaine For Addiction Treatment

There does exist a risk for cardiotoxic events in some individuals. Ibogaine has been shown to cause what is known as “QT prolongation” in some individuals with prior history of cardiac issues. For this reason, its critical Ibogaine providers conduct thorough pre-screening of prospective patients before them receiving treatment. An EKG is generally administered and carefully analyzed for any abnormalities before proceeding with treatment. This is the ideal way to prevent possible arrhythmias during an Ibogaine session used for addiction interruption. By and large, most experienced Ibogaine providers agree that complications during treatment can be avoided with proper pre-screening.

Patient Experiences: Stories Of Transformation

The real power of ibogaine lies in the stories of individuals who have undergone this unique form of therapy. Many have found freedom from the grip of addiction and experienced profound personal growth. These stories are a testament to the potential of psychedelics in transforming lives and promoting long-term recovery.

The use of psychedelics like ibogaine in addiction treatment represents a groundbreaking frontier in medicine. It offers a unique and holistic approach, addressing the root causes of addiction while providing individuals with a transformative journey of self-discovery.

However, considering the possible health complications with ibogaine, this powerful compound must always be administered in a safe and therapeutic manner with the proper patient screening procedures.

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