Underground ibogaine use for the treatment of substance use disorders: A qualitative analysis of subjective experiences.
Borja J Rodríguez-cano, Maja Kohek, Genís Ona, Miguel Ángel Alcázar‐córcoles, Rafael G. Dos Santos, Jaime E. C. Hallak, José Carlos Bouso
Drug and Alcohol Review February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13587 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Participants with substance use disorders who self-treated with ibogaine |
| Intervention | Ibogaine |
| Topics | Ibogaine Psychedelic-assisted therapy Addiction |
| Keywords | Hallucinogenic Qualitative analysis Substance use disorders Ibogaine therapy iboga Addiction treatment Drug rehabilitation Subjective experiences Personal insights Autobiographical memories Lived experience Research methodology Coping Motivation Lifestyle changes Psychological shifts Mental health Therapeutic benefits Personal growth |
| Citations | 17 |
| Key findings | Ibogaine's therapeutic effects for substance use disorders are linked to autobiographical memories, personal insights, and motivation for lifestyle change, not solely its pharmacology. |
Abstract
Ibogaine is one of the alkaloids naturally found in plants such as Tabernanthe iboga, which has been traditionally used by members of the Bwiti culture. Since the discovery of its anti-addictive properties by Howard S. Lotsof in 1962, ibogaine has been used experimentally to treat substance use disorders (SUD), especially those involving opioids. We aim to provide a detailed understanding of the underlying psychological aspects of underground ibogaine use for the treatment of SUD. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 13 participants with SUD, which motivated their self-treatment with ibogaine. The data were analysed using the grounded theory approach and considered the context of the treatment, and the nature of the occurring hallucinogenic and cognitive phenomena during the treatment experience. We identified several psychological effects that the study respondents experienced, which seem to play a substantial role in the therapeutic process concerning SUD. The evoking of interpersonal and transpersonal experiences, autobiographical memories, and preparation, integration and motivation for a lifestyle change are important components that participants reported during and after ibogaine intake. Ibogaine is increasingly being used for the treatment of SUD, due in part to the limited treatment options currently available. Its beneficial effects seem to be related not only to its complex pharmacology but also to the subjective experience that ibogaine induces. The main aspects of this experience are related to autobiographical memories and valuable personal insights, which together appear to help individuals cope with their SUD.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ibogaine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A phenomenological analysis of the subjective experience elicited by ibogaine in the context of a drug dependence treatment Patients with substance-related disorders | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 22 |
| Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: A qualitative study Patients with substance use disorders, including psychostimulant users | 2017 | Qualitative study | |
| A phenomenological investigation into the lived experience of ibogaine and its potential to treat opioid use disorders Individuals who underwent ibogaine treatment for an opioid use disorder | 2018 | Qualitative study | |
| Ibogaine therapy for addiction: Consumer views from online fora. Contributors to Reddit and Drugs Forum discussing ibogaine therapy | 2020 | Qualitative thematic analysis | n = 101 |
| The visionary cure of the addiction war? Ibogaine: social context, subcultural identity, and implications for drug policy Humans | 2011 | Comparative ethnography |
Citations in the library
Cited by 15
- Main targets of ibogaine and noribogaine associated with its putative anti-addictive effects: A mechanistic overview. Journal of Psychopharmacology December 1, 2023
- The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ibogaine in opioid use disorder patients. Journal of Psychopharmacology May 1, 2024
- Impact of psychedelics on craving in addiction: A systematic review. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 1, 2025
- A transcriptomic analysis in mice following a single dose of ibogaine identifies new potential therapeutic targets. Translational Psychiatry January 19, 2024
- Indole therapeutics: Latest FDA updates, ongoing trials, and future directions. Drug Discovery Today October 1, 2025
and 10 more in the library
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and 23 more in the library