Ibogaine and Subjective Experience: Transformative States and Psychopharmacotherapy in the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder.
Thomas K Brown, Geoff Noller, Julie O Denenberg
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2019 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1598603 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 44 |
| Population | Participants with opioid use disorder in Mexico (n=30) and New Zealand (n=14) |
| Intervention | Ibogaine HCl |
| Topics | Ibogaine Addiction |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Opioids Ibogaine therapy ibogaine Complete mystical experiences Healing capacity |
| Citations | 48 |
| Key findings | Ibogaine's oneiric effects produce mystical experiences and spiritual transformation, which may be a distinct therapeutic element separate from its pharmacological actions on withdrawal and craving. |
Abstract
This article examines the therapeutic potential of ibogaine, a powerful oneiric alkaloid derived from Tabernanthe iboga, through exploring the subjective experiences of 44 participants from two observational treatment studies for opioid use disorder. Following treatment with ibogaine HCl, the participants (Mexico, n = 30; New Zealand, n = 14) completed the States of Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ) to quantify the magnitude of their psychotropic experience. Participants were asked to provide written transcripts of their experiences, with those supplied being analyzed thematically through an iterative process, to produce a set of coded themes. Mean SCQ scores in many domains exceeded 0.6, the cutoff score for a "complete mystical experience," with 43% of participants achieving this in more than five of seven domains. Qualitative data described multiple phenomenological themes, including auditory and visual phenomena. Ibogaine's strong oneiric action promoted cyclic visions leading to confronting realizations involving remorse and regret for participants' actions towards others, but also release from feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Many participants reported feeling a sense of spiritual transformation. We propose that the reported experiences support the meaningfulness of ibogaine's oneiric effects as a discrete element in its capacity for healing, which is distinct from pharmacological actions associated with reduced withdrawal and craving.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on ibogaine for addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes. Adults with DSM-IV opioid dependence | 2018 | Observational study | n = 30 |
| Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study. Individuals receiving legal ibogaine treatment for opioid dependence in New Zealand | 2018 | Observational study | n = 14 |
| Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: a retrospective study. Former alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and crack users (72% poly-drug users) | 2014 | Retrospective analysis | n = 75 |
| Changes in Withdrawal and Craving Scores in Participants Undergoing Opioid Detoxification Utilizing Ibogaine. Participants with opioid use disorder undergoing ibogaine detoxification | 2018 | Observational cohort | n = 50 |
| The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ibogaine in opioid use disorder patients. Patients with opioid use disorder undergoing detoxification | 2024 | Observational cohort | n = 14 |