Ibogaine an Iboga plant extract is a natural psychoactive substance. It is a banned substance in some countries and since its a hallucinogen it contains both psychedelic and dissociative properties. It can be used to treat additions such as alcohol, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and methadone addictions among others. Being developed are derivatives which have no hallucinogenic properties. The Bwiti people use it for medical purposes and in rituals within African spiritual traditions.
In the year 1962 Howard Lotsof became the first to advertise the anti additive properties of the substance but its use by the westerners predates this year by a century. It has been used as a dieting drug which was marketed in France going by the name Lambarene and in the 50s the CIA also did some studies on its effects. It is either semi-synthesized from a precursor compound known as voacangine another plant alkanoid or as an iboga plant extract an indole alkaloid.
Although a full organic synthesis of this substance has been achieved, the process is too challenging and expensive to produce commercially significant yield. This is basically because the synthesis has to be conducted in an anoxic environment and this process was published in the U. S in 1956. Although its prohibition has slowed scientific research in several countries regarding its anti-addictive properties, its use as treatment for drug abuse has grown.
When this hallucinogen is broken down it yields two phases, one is the visionary phase and the other is the introspection phase. The first phase lasts between four to six hours and when the second phase kicks in it releases a psychotherapeutic effect. It works by helping people overcome fear and negative emotions. An altered dream like state is catalyzed by the substance while fully conscious.
Ataxia, difficulty coordinating muscle motion, is one of the first noticeable effects when the substance is taken in large quantities. The effects that follow include xerostomia or dry mouth, vomiting and nausea. These symptoms can take a long time between 4-24 hours. To avoid vomiting the substance is sometimes administered by enema.
The therapeutic effect of this substance that has been mostly studied is that of reducing or eliminating addiction to opioids. Its also used to treat dependence on other substances and it could affect compulsive behavioral patterns. Those that have used this substance report to have experienced visual phenomena in the form of instructive replays of events leading to their addiction. Others report to have had shamanic therapeutic visions which helped them overcome negative emotions and fears that drove them to addiction.
During the interruptive period it is important to go through therapy, aftercare and intensive counseling. There are those that might require a 2nd and 3rd session through a period of 12 to eighteen months and a few have been known to relapse after a couple of days or weeks. A therapeutic effect on addiction to alcohol is achieved when the substance is used together with LSD.
There might not be enough evidence to support the effect of this substance as a chronic pain management drug, but it can potentiate morphine analgesia. A book by Claudio Naranjo titled The Healing Journey document Ibogaine as a psychotherapy adjunct.
In the year 1962 Howard Lotsof became the first to advertise the anti additive properties of the substance but its use by the westerners predates this year by a century. It has been used as a dieting drug which was marketed in France going by the name Lambarene and in the 50s the CIA also did some studies on its effects. It is either semi-synthesized from a precursor compound known as voacangine another plant alkanoid or as an iboga plant extract an indole alkaloid.
Although a full organic synthesis of this substance has been achieved, the process is too challenging and expensive to produce commercially significant yield. This is basically because the synthesis has to be conducted in an anoxic environment and this process was published in the U. S in 1956. Although its prohibition has slowed scientific research in several countries regarding its anti-addictive properties, its use as treatment for drug abuse has grown.
When this hallucinogen is broken down it yields two phases, one is the visionary phase and the other is the introspection phase. The first phase lasts between four to six hours and when the second phase kicks in it releases a psychotherapeutic effect. It works by helping people overcome fear and negative emotions. An altered dream like state is catalyzed by the substance while fully conscious.
Ataxia, difficulty coordinating muscle motion, is one of the first noticeable effects when the substance is taken in large quantities. The effects that follow include xerostomia or dry mouth, vomiting and nausea. These symptoms can take a long time between 4-24 hours. To avoid vomiting the substance is sometimes administered by enema.
The therapeutic effect of this substance that has been mostly studied is that of reducing or eliminating addiction to opioids. Its also used to treat dependence on other substances and it could affect compulsive behavioral patterns. Those that have used this substance report to have experienced visual phenomena in the form of instructive replays of events leading to their addiction. Others report to have had shamanic therapeutic visions which helped them overcome negative emotions and fears that drove them to addiction.
During the interruptive period it is important to go through therapy, aftercare and intensive counseling. There are those that might require a 2nd and 3rd session through a period of 12 to eighteen months and a few have been known to relapse after a couple of days or weeks. A therapeutic effect on addiction to alcohol is achieved when the substance is used together with LSD.
There might not be enough evidence to support the effect of this substance as a chronic pain management drug, but it can potentiate morphine analgesia. A book by Claudio Naranjo titled The Healing Journey document Ibogaine as a psychotherapy adjunct.
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