Introduction to Ibogaine
Of the various drugs that have been proposed as being useful in the treatment of chemical dependence, ibogaine is almost certainly the one that would currently seem to offer the greatest real potential.
Ibogaine is a slightly psychoactive indole alkaloid derived from the Tabernathe iboga plant native to Central Africa. Members of the Bwiti religion, an indigenous group, use the plant for a variety of social and religious purposes. Notably as the central component of a “rite de passage” initiation ritual intended to confer the status of adulthood upon the initiate.
Ibogaine is a slightly psychoactive indole alkaloid derived from the Tabernathe iboga plant native to Central Africa. Members of the Bwiti religion, an indigenous group, use the plant for a variety of social and religious purposes. Notably as the central component of a “rite de passage” initiation ritual intended to confer the status of adulthood upon the initiate.
Ibogaine is not itself addictive, and may thus be administered in monthly or similar doses over a period of time to help preserve a drug-free state. It should be noted that very few people beat addiction permanently through the sole use of ibogaine. However, long-term abstinence is frequently achieved by combining ibogaine with a suitable therapy.
In the West, ibogaine therapy is usually administered in the form of the hydrochloride – a fine off-white powder either synthesised or chemically extracted from the root bark in a laboratory.
When administered to persons seeking to beat addiction to heroin, methadone, cocaine or alcohol, a single dose of ibogaine typically achieves the following: Firstly, complete removal or severe attenuation of the symptoms of withdrawal, allowing painless detoxification, (occurs with approx. 90% of subjects). Secondly, removal of the desire to use drugs for a period of between one week and three months, (occurs with approx. 60% of subjects). And, thirdly, the experiencing of pyschological insights into the roots of drug-using behaviour that, combined with suitable therapy, can lead to long-term drug abstinence, (occurs with approx. 30% of subjects).
In the West, ibogaine therapy is usually administered in the form of the hydrochloride – a fine off-white powder either synthesised or chemically extracted from the root bark in a laboratory.
When administered to persons seeking to beat addiction to heroin, methadone, cocaine or alcohol, a single dose of ibogaine typically achieves the following: Firstly, complete removal or severe attenuation of the symptoms of withdrawal, allowing painless detoxification, (occurs with approx. 90% of subjects). Secondly, removal of the desire to use drugs for a period of between one week and three months, (occurs with approx. 60% of subjects). And, thirdly, the experiencing of pyschological insights into the roots of drug-using behaviour that, combined with suitable therapy, can lead to long-term drug abstinence, (occurs with approx. 30% of subjects).