In this article, you’re going to learn about the use of Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction. Battling opiate addiction on your own is tough. The physical and psychological withdrawals make it almost impossible for someone to quit using.
However, there is one alternative treatment method called Ibogaine that not only addresses the psychological aspects of withdrawal, but can also end physical withdrawal as well.
Ibogaine is a substance extracted from the roots of an African plant that causes a psychedelic experience in the user.
The Tabernanthe iboga plant is found in Western Africa and has been used for thousands of years in tribal spiritual practices. Ibogaine is the primary alkaloid that the iboga plant contains.
But it wasn’t until the 1960’s that Ibogaine was discovered as a treatment for heroin and opiate addiction.
Ibogaine Treatment For Opiate Addiction – Overview
Howard Lotsof, a student of the psychedelic era, was given Ibogaine by his friend who was a scientist. Lotsof was also a massive heroin addict.
However, a few days after the Ibogaine experience was over, Lotsof realized he had not used opiates and had no cravings for heroin. This was the first modern use of Ibogaine as a treatment for opiate addiction.
Ibogaine Treatment For Opiate Addiction – “Dream-Like” State
Ibogaine can be used to treat cravings for many different drug addictions, however, it seems tailor-made to treat addiction to opiates and heroin.
How does Ibogaine treatment actually work?
Taken at the peak of withdrawal, Ibogaine puts the addiction into what is commonly referred to as a “dream-like” state for about 8-12 hours. During this time, addicts often experience their past mistakes and traumas that may have led to the addiction in the first place.
Many addictive behaviors are caused by past trauma and guilt.
By treating the psychological aspects of addiction, many individuals are able to make a huge leap forward. This way, Ibogaine helps the addict accept their past and move forward in a healthy and positive way. But that is only half of the treatment.
Ibogaine Treatment For Opiate Withdrawal
During the Ibogaine experience, physical withdrawal symptoms are also addressed. Although the exact nature of this process is still being studied, scientists have a general understanding of how Ibogaine works in the brain.
The Ibogaine alkaloid helps to refresh and reset the addicted receptors in the brain back to pre-addiction levels. Drugs, especially heroin and opiates, change the brain chemistry and make it difficult for the natural chemicals in the brain to do their job. This is why withdrawal is so difficult and causes such heavy depression and anxiety.
Ibogaine changes all of this.
It helps the brain return to normal status within a few hours.
Thus, the addict is no longer in withdrawal after the Ibogaine experience has ended.
Following the ibogaine treatment, addicts begin to adjust back to this normalized state. Many addicts are skeptical at first, but as time passes they realize the withdrawals are not coming back. This is a huge step for many, they are able to control their own future instead of being dictated by drug cravings.
Overcoming physical withdrawal is often the most difficult part of beating drug addiction. Ibogaine is able to treat this withdrawal within 24 hours.
But how long do the effects of Ibogaine last in the long term?
Ibogaine Treatment For Opiate Addiction Recovery – Statistics
The University of Amsterdam conducted one of the few studies on Ibogaine efficacy and long-term treatment results. They concluded that, on average, almost all of their patients stopped using drugs for the first 2 years following the Ibogaine treatment.
After that point, 67% of subjects permanently quit their primary addiction.
These results show just how significant Ibogaine treatment can be. Aftercare, counseling, and group therapy after Ibogaine treatment can also help the addict maintain a full recovery.
So why isn’t everyone turning to Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction and other addictions?
Ibogaine For Opiate Addiction – Legality
Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction and any other use is still illegal in the USA. While many doctors and scientists agree that Ibogaine can have a major positive impact on addiction, the FDA has still not thoroughly conducted their own research.
And, because the FDA has labeled Ibogaine as a Schedule 1 drug, testing Ibogaine in a laboratory setting in the USA is illegal and currently not being conducted.
This is why many Ibogaine treatment centers are located across the border in Mexico or other countries where Ibogaine is not illegal. It is not illegal for US citizens to travel for medical treatment, however, it is illegal for US citizens to possess iboga or any product containing Ibogaine inside the USA.
Ibogaine Treatment For Opiate Addiction – Conclusion
Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction isn’t going anywhere. With the heroin and opiate epidemic continuing to rise, Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction will continue to gain attention as an alternative treatment for addiction. However, until the FDA looks into the efficacy of Ibogaine as a scientific method for treating addiction, many individuals will not be able to find Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction…even if it is the life-saving option they need.
If you have any questions or comments on the use of Ibogaine treatment for opiate addiction, please post them in the comment box below.
And as long as BIG PHARMA has anything to say about it, Ibogaine will remain unattainable! Because they want you to take Suboxone, so that they can rope you in to paying for their product for another decade or two! It makes me sick!
I want to start a nature based recovery if I can ever break loose of my methadone dependence. I’m 42 yrs old and have been on it for 20 of them… I can’t get lower than 25mg a day and I feel trapped there. I am trying out what works for me by reading all I can on Matt’s site and I am so happy I found this site. I live in Canada and wish I could find a ibogaine treatment that will even return a email. I’ve contacted three in Canada and not one response. Thanks Matt for all the work you do for all of us who are going through probably the worst time in their lives. I am going to be trying velvet been next.
I am in an almost identical situation but is the US, wondering if you ever figured this out?
People are dying from their addictions. If I had a loved one in that predicament, I would travel far and wide to try whatever it took.
Not FDA approved? Neither are a lot of the substances killing good people.
Absolutely!
Hey Matt, first; thank you for what you do, we need more people like you in this world. I just wanted to know if you have been hearing of alot of underground ibogaine treatments being done in the US? Also, have you heard of what is called the bernese method for switching high dose md patients to subs, if not check out Dr Ken Starr in central Cali and let me know what you think.
My pleasure. And there are underground ibogaine treatments in the US. I wouldn’t recommend it. And the Bernese Method is a proven therapy. Dr. Starr is a friend of mine and a colleague. I just visited him in Anaheim, California at an addiction medicine summit a few months ago. Here’s a podcast episode where I interview Dr. Starr about the treatment methods he uses.
And by the way… I highly, highly recommend his treatment center. He’s one of the very best in the field.
Look into Dextromethorphan (DXM) as an over-the-counter (OTC) alternative. It might work the same way. I am researching online and experimenting on myself. Google “DXM mg amount and plateau levels” for guidelines on the effects of any dose respective to other relevant factors like sex or bodyweight etc.
I wrote a detailed article on DXM for opioid withdrawal and the different plateaus.
Because the FDA knows big pharma doesnt like CURES. They want to create repeat customers, and thats it!
Do you know about taking ibogaine to get off methadone. Every Clinic I call says something different. Some say no problem, some say you have to be off the methadone and on shortacting opiates for 2 days, 2 weeks, 2months and one even said a minium of 3 months. I have been told that if I dont do this a few weeks after coming home from the clinic and the ibogaine clears off receptor, i will go into withdrawls and will have wasted my time and money. If you have any insights please share. Feeling like this is my last hope of ever getting off methadone and dont have the energy, finances or time to get it wrong.
So Ibogaine is basically a psychedelic drug or hallucinogenic, along the lines of LSD. Would you say that to be accurate ? What separates Ibogaine from LSD, and how are the effects different ? What information would you give to prevent someone from assuming that they could substitute the drug LSD, for Ibogaine, thinking they will achieve similar results ?
With LSD, there is always the risk for an adverse reaction or “bad trip”, as well as recurring flashbacks, often after just a single use. Does this hold true for the Ibogaine “treatment” as well ?
If you were looking for a way out of heroin AddictionThen go To experience Ibogaine.Aiden Smith and his staff Have Your best interests at heart They will take care of You. they changed my life forever!!!! Ibogaine will Change your life And will make you a better person. I took my ibogaine treatment on March 27th 2018 And today is the 31st of July and I will never go back To heroin , I am free at last after 18 years of opiate addiction and the only lingering effect that ibogaine has had on me is, I am no longer addicted to anything,just enjoying the life and the freedom From the chains of addiction thanks to Aiden and his unbelievable staff, they are the best!
Has anyone considered putting this in front of President Trump…whom I believe is seeking information on possible cures for opiate addiction. He is aware of the dirty tactics of the fda
I don’t know if anyone has presented this treatment approach to President Trump.
Why don’t you? Or anyone in the recovery community that believes in it? Plus the Nad+ there needs to be more facilities around the country, federal government should subsidize these programs with insurance companies! They are another issue all together!! Government should mandate insurance cover all recoveries! It seems to me insurance companies are dictating the rules on everything lately that concerns people’s health and well being!!
Great article, I enjoyed reading your post on ibogaine. As a recovering addict, I know how helpful the drug can be, however, I do know that there are some people who are against it as it can be dangerous. I’ve been doing research on ibogaine addiction treatments and the pros and cons of this type of treatment.
Should anyone else be interested to see how this would help others here’s the page I looked at https://www.pbinstitute.com/ibogaine-treatment/
Hopefully, this information can assist someone (friends and families) in choosing the best recovery treatments.
Canada is much more affordable for ibogaine treatment. Shane Mugford is the person you need to contact. I was addicted to heroin for the last 8 years of my life. I visited Shane and detoxed without any withdrawal sickness.. Completely changed my life!
Where is a reputable clinic?
The Chemstore. Sells 30 Ibogaine capsules for $35 plus $17.90 shipping. The Coinstore sells Bitcoin which you need to buy Ibogaine.
Is it worth checking out? That’s up to you. Is Heroin addiction worth living? I can tell you after 48 years I think it’s Hell in the Universe.
Can I ask, do you still have extreme fatigue from PAWS after this treatment? Does any know?
Valerie, …. I dont. I felt like shit for about 3-4 days (not withdrawal shit , different, deeper, weirder harder stuff. but then it was ALL GONE. And still is. no fatigue no hee-bee-jeebees, no restless cravings for relief. no waking up in the morning , heart pounding, sweating, shaking with anxiety until those first pills of the day kick in . I AM FREE because of ibogaine and the masterful Medicine Man and woman that provided it to me. DO NOT DO IT ALONE. DO NOT BUY IT ONLINE.
Where did you go for your Ibogaine treatment???
Well how do you get it then? Btw my email if sounded out is hee bee gee bee girl !! I’ve never heard anyone say that before!! Lol my kids used to say to me all the time whenever my restless legs started!! Well over 20 years ago!!! When NO ONE ever heard of this syndrome!! Oh it’s real and doesn’t happen only in withdrawal, it’s part of reason I started on my journey in opiate hell to begin with!!!
Ibogaine treatment is out of reach for most addicts since the clinics in Mexico and other foreign countries charge upwards of $7,000, so it’s really not realistic for your average addict who is probably struggling just to keep a roof over his head and support his habit. It is a luxury cure that few can afford.
The Holistic Sanctuary located in Beverly Hills CA, claims to offer the ibogaine treatment at its facility, please explain how this is possible considering it is still, unfortunately, illegal in the U.S.