Ibogaine

All About Ibogaine

If you are looking for a drug rehabilitation program, then you should have an understanding of what treatment you will receive. One of the things you should know about is Ibogaine. To understand this you should know all about Ibogaine. Here are some of the important aspects of this amazing chemical that you should know as you prepare for treatment with us.

What Is Ibogaine?

A naturally occurring psychoactive compound, Ibogaine comes from the iboga tree, a rainforest shrub native to Central Africa. The drug comes from the bark of the root, which is crushed and consumed as a powder or given in an extracted form. It is now manufactured as Ibogaine HCL by Pharmaceutical companies and is 99.8% pure.
Iboga has long been used 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. In recent decades, ibogaine has shown great success for treating opioid addiction, more than 90% of patients who undergo treatment achieve sobriety after a single session.

Ibogaine also successfully treats Parkinson’s., MLS,  traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.

How does ibogaine work?

Ibogaine eliminates the agonizing symptoms of opioid withdrawal and also eliminates the desire to use drugs. Scientists have determined Ibogaine fosters the creation of new neurons and neuroplasticity, a rewiring of the brain to a pre addictive state that gives patients fresh perspectives on self-destructive behavior and the unresolved trauma that sustains it.
“Ibogaine resets the brain pharmacologically, and at the same time, it’s producing deep psychological insight into the underlying drivers of addiction,” said Dr. Joseph Peter Barsuglia.

Is it legal?

No. In the United States, Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance like heroin and other drugs that are deemed as having “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse,” according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Americans who want access to ibogaine therapy must travel to countries where it is either legal or unregulated, among them Mexico, Brazil, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.
It’s also not cheap: Private clinics often charge about $7,000 to $15,000 for a single treatment, airfare not included.

Are there health risks?

Ibogaine has the potential to induce cardiac arrhythmias. Experts say the risks can be effectively managed by screening out high-risk patients, administering magnesium before and during the treatments, and by ensuring that patients are continuously monitored by electrocardiogram.

How does ibogaine compare to other psychedelics?

Ibogaine is not a psychedelic, it’s a psychoactive, no club drug. A treatment session can be grueling and can last more than 24 hours. It often requires a willingness to confront traumatic events of the past. Participants liken the trip to a lucid waking dream that forces a review of painful life experiences. “You suddenly have access to this massive store of information that’s been accumulating through our lives, and you’re just able to see it in a more detached way,” said Dr. Victor Ortega.

What does the science say about ibogaine’s anti-addictive properties?

Much of the existing data on ibogaine’s efficacy comes studies and it has reported a 90% or greater success rate among patients who were followed for several months after the therapy.

Ibogaine Dosing and Treatment

Treatment is a little different with this medication than with other drug addiction treatments. The total process takes about 7 days, though may take a little longer depending on certain circumstances. The first two days will be spent evaluating you. The reason for this is that the staff needs to test and evaluate your medical condition and will want to get an understanding of who you are so they can give you the best environment for the treatment.
On the second night you will start taking the Ibogaine as the withdrawals start to set in. The dosage is uniquely determined for each patient by our experienced physicians and the influence of the Ibogaine usually lasts 24-36 hours with differing phases of intensity. During this time you will be confined to bed in your private room as walking is not easy during this time. There are medical caregivers and nurses as well as a doctor there at all times, though the focus of this time is to look back on your life with a different perspective to really understand how the addiction is affecting you. This is also used to get rid of resentment and pent up emotions that can trigger the addiction.
After the effects of the Ibogaine have subsided, patients can call their loved ones to get reassurance during this time. A diet counselor will create a diet that will help you get back on track. Staff will also keep in touch after you go home to help you have the best results.

Safety of Ibogaine

As long as it is administered in a responsible manner and proper medical screening is done beforehand, it is completely safe. It is a natural substance that has been used for centuries and it has been proven scientifically to have no neurotoxic effects on the human brain. It needs to be stressed that Ibogaine does have possible health risks if proper precautions are not taken and so that is why our board certified physicians who are also exceptionally knowledgeable about Ibogaine treatment are absolutely necessary. Full blood tests and Cardiogram, EKG, and any other tests deemed necessary will be performed before any treatment.

Why it Works

It is also helpful to know why Ibogaine works. This is because it deals with both the physical addiction to the drug as well as the emotional addiction to it. This drug allows patients to get to a psychological state where they are able to get rid of the baggage that is leading them to addiction so they can break free. This is why it has an 80%-90% success rate, as measured 6 months to 1 year after treatment.

Common Questions

What is it Like to Take Ibogaine?

It is like taking a dream-like journey into yourself. You will be able to look at different aspects of your life in a different way to be able to forgive yourself and let go of damaging emotions.

How does it feel Afterwards?

Most commonly afterwards the patient encounters physical tiredness, this is due to the fact that there bodies are being reawakened after so much numbness caused from substance abuse and as their senses are becoming enlivened they are noticing physical experiences as completely fresh and new.
What All is done during the Treatment?
While you will spend about two days in bed during the treatment, there is much more that is done after treatment to encourage your new-found freedom from addiction. There are activities that you will participate in as well as groups. These will be helpful with the treatment to help you start your life anew without the need for your addiction.

For more information about Ibogaine Treatment please call 800-397-8480 or fill out one of our contact forms.