Ibogaine Blocks Cue- and Drug-Induced Reinstatement of Conditioned Place Preference to Ethanol in Male Mice

Summary & key facts

This report describes informal ibogaine treatments given in a small program. In 24 sessions (18 aimed at addiction), a single ibogaine dose often stopped physical opioid withdrawal and created a window when people felt more able to choose. Some people stayed drug-free for months or years, but many relapsed and the authors say ibogaine is not a cure. The report notes safety screening, exclusions, and legal limits on ibogaine use, and it highlights uncertainty because the data are limited and mostly anecdotal.

Key facts:

• The program documented 24 ibogaine sessions over one year; 18 of those sessions were done specifically to try to break drug dependence.
• Of the 18 people treated for addiction, six remained clean for about two years after treatment.
• Two people stayed clean for almost a year then relapsed when their health declined; two stayed abstinent for 3–6 months then returned to intermittent use; five relapsed within one month; two were documented clean for at least one week then
• Dose ranges reported: 15–20 mg/kg ibogaine HCl for detox purposes, 10–12 mg/kg for self-exploration, and an apparently most effective addiction dose of about 17–19 mg/kg.
• The authors report that in nearly all cases a single dose either eliminated or seriously reduced both objective and subjective symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
• Withdrawal symptoms were reported to lift about 30–45 minutes after taking ibogaine, before the visionary (psychedelic) phase began.
• About half of subjects had strong introspective or visionary experiences during the session; the other half had little or no memory recall or relevant visions.
• Screening and safety steps included requiring an ECG and liver tests; people with significant liver or heart problems, severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar), symptomatic HIV or Hep C, or certain medications were excluded.
• The article notes that clinical data are scarce, much evidence is anecdotal, and ibogaine is Schedule I in the United States and controlled in some countries, while elsewhere it is unlicensed or experimental.

Abstract

Ibogaine is a psychedelic extracted from the plant Tabernanthe iboga, natural from Africa, and has been proposed as a potential treatment for substance use d...

Topics

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Biochemistry Biology Chemistry Conditioned place preference Context (archaeology) Ethanol Medicine Morphine Paleontology Pharmacology