What you need to know about ibogaine

Some researchers hope the drug, still illegal in the United States, could be considered as a treatment for addiction, PTSD and brain damage. /p>What is ibogaine?

A natural psychoactive compound, ibogaine comes from the iboga tree, a rainforest shrub native to central Africa . The medicine comes from the bark of the root, which is crushed and consumed as a powder or administered as an extract.

Iboga has a long history of use for medicinal and ritual purposes. in Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. After its discovery by French and Belgian explorers in the 19th century, it was sold as a stimulant in France. Over the past several decades, ibogaine has shown promise for treating opioid addiction, with several small studies suggesting that one-third to two-thirds of patients who undergo treatment achieve sobriety after just one session. Some researchers have studied the potential of ibogaine in treating traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.

How does ibogaine work?

Ibogaine soothes distressing symptoms of opioid withdrawal and also appears to reduce craving. use drugs, at least at first. Scientists are still trying to understand how it works against addiction, but many believe that ibogaine promotes the creation of new neurons and neuroplasticity, a rewiring of the brain that gives patients new insights into self-destructive behaviors and unresolved trauma that keeps them going. p>

“Ibogaine appears to reset the brain pharmacologically and, at the same time, it produces a deep psychological understanding of the underlying factors of addiction,” said the Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia, a clinical psychologist and researcher who advises ibogaine clinics in Mexico.

Is it legal?

No. In the United States, ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, like heroin and other drugs that are considered to have "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." , according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Americans who want to access ibogaine therapy must travel to countries where it is legal or unregulated, including Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.

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