4 Things You Need to Know About Using Ibogaine as a Treatment for Drug Addiction

Over the past decade, the opioid drug crisis has exploded in this country. One of the leading causes of death in the United States is drug overdose. Many in the medical and drug treatment community are looking for alternative methods of drug treatment. Just a few short months ago, sitting president Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in regards to the opioid crisis. Now, many addicts are starting to look for holistic methods, like ibogaine treatment, to help with their drug problem. These holistic methods are having a great impact on this crisis and are showing signs of promise regarding the treatment of severe drug addiction. Here are some of the things you need to know about ibogaine and the effect it has on drug addicts.

1. What is Ibogaine?
The main thing that most people want to know about this treatment is exactly what is ibogaine. Simply put, this substance is an alkaloid extract that comes from the Tabernathe Iboga plant. These plants are typically found in Africa and are a member of the Apocynaceae plant family. The Bwiti tribe in Africa have used these plants for years as a way to reach a deep state of being and consciousness. A big part of the Bwiti religion revolves around performing rituals and various rites of passage that involving the Ibogaine extract. This tribe believes that Ibogaine is an essential ingredient in an increased awareness of the spirit world and overall spiritual growth.

2. Using Ibogaine as a Treatment For Drug Abuse
In the early 1900s, Europeans started using the extract of the Iboga roots in very small doses. This extract was considered a stimulant and was widely used by athletes in this period to give them a bit of an extra boost while on the field. Reports from the 1960s from a heroin addict named Howard Lotsof claimed that, once he was given ibogaine, his dependence on heroin began to wane. Lots of found that after only a few hours on this extract, he no longer felt the need to use heroin. Not only did his dependence on heroin disappear, he felt none of the withdrawal effects common with kicking this drug cold turkey. He also reported that taking this substance produced one of the most spiritual experiences of his life. Howard Lotsof went on to study the effects of ibogaine extensively for the remainder of his life. The tests he performed repeatedly showed how helpful this substance could be in the treatment of drug addiction.

3. How Does Ibogaine Work?
Another common thing people want to know about ibogaine is how it works. Most of the scientific studies have shown that this substance has an uncanny ability of targeting the withdrawal symptoms common with coming off of heroin and opioids. This substance helps to rewire the brain, restoring the neural functions that drug abuse usually takes away. By rewiring the brain, this substance can help a person kick their drug habit once and for all. While there is still a lot of work to be done regarding ibogaine, early findings show this substance can do wonders for drug addicts.

4. The Psychedelic Effects of Ibogaine
During the phase where ibogaine is targeting the withdrawal symptoms a body is experiencing, it is simultaneously putting many users in a psychedelic state. These users report experiencing a dream-like state when they are on this substance. During the ibogaine treatment, addicts will often reflect on the choices they have made to get them to this point in their life. While there are some risks associated with this treatment, the benefits it provides far outweigh any negative effects it presents. The best way to avoid any negative side effects from an ibogaine treatment is by working with licensed professionals.

Talking with a professional who is familiar with this type of treatment is essential. They will be able to provide you with helpful information about this process.  The opioid epidemic is having a massive negative impact on the lives of many American’s. Alternative treatments, like ibogaine, will be the key to helping as many addicts as possible find sobriety in their lives for the long term.