Ibogaine as a Tool in the Process of Overcoming Drug Addiction

Ibogaine, derived from the Iboga shrub of central Africa, has a history of medical and entheogenic use. Its modern use began after a serendipitous 1962 discovery that it interrupted heroin addiction. Despite limited success in engaging the scientific community, an underground treatment movement emerged, eventually becoming a 21st-century medical practice. Treatment protocols focus on dependence on opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine, with screening to exclude high-risk cases and preparation to avoid fatal complications. This chapter reports procedures practiced in Brazil, describing phases of the ibogaine experience. While some clients report spiritual experiences as crucial, others without meaningful experiences also have positive outcomes. Most patients report renewal, absence of craving, reduced compulsions, and greater ease in changing habits.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ibogaine, derived from the Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga), a shrub of central Africa, has a history of medical and entheogenic ritual use. Its modern use followed the serendipitous discovery, among heroin users in 1962, that it interrupted heroin addiction. Efforts to engage the scientific community in the clinical science of ibogaine had limited success but led to an underground treatment movement that eventually emerged as a 21st-century medical treatment practice. The lack of formal clinical studies on ibogaine has led to practical knowledge developed by providers. The focus of ibogaine treatment protocols is on dependence on opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The screening is important to exclude high-risk cases, as well as the preparation to avoid potentially fatal complications. This chapter reports procedures for ibogaine treatment practiced in Brazil. The phases of the ibogaine experience and characteristics provide an orientation for typical responses. Although some clients report spiritual experiences and particular alterations of consciousness as crucial to the recovery process, others don’t have a meaningful experience, but also have a positive outcome. Most patients report a feeling of renewal in life, absence of craving or abstinence, reduction of compulsions and greater ease in changing habits and learning.