Ibogaine Controversy Highlights Risks of Unproven Treatment

Psychedelic therapies for the treatment of addiction and mental illness have gotten a lot of press lately. And one of these treatments in particular is causing researchers and clinicians alike to take note.

It’s called ibogaine and millions of dollars are currently being invested to explore its therapeutic potential. But some experts caution that the risks may outweigh the reward.

Ibogaine has not yet been approved for clinical use in the United States. However, many Americans cross the border into Mexico, where the treatment is legal. They’re drawn by claims that a single session can reset an addicted brain.

The latest attention followed the recent death of 27 year old Presley Gerber at a Los Angeles area sober living home.

He recently posted publicly about traveling to Cancun for an ibogaine flood dose. Police have described his death as a suspected overdose.

His story raises questions about a compound that researchers find genuinely fascinating, and regulators have kept at arm’s length.

What Is Ibogaine

Ibogaine is a powerful psychoactive compound that comes from a Central African shrub. Researchers discovered its potential addiction fighting properties by accident in 1962.

Howard Lotsof was 19 and addicted to heroin when he tried ibogaine out of curiosity. He then found that his cravings had disappeared.

Lotsof spent the rest of his life advocating for ibogaine research. He patented its use for addiction treatment in 1985. However, funding disputes prevented an FDA approved clinical trial from moving forward.

Researchers believe ibogaine works by triggering a natural growth factor in the brain. It’s also thought to change the neural pathways connected to addiction and reward.

The process differs widely from traditional standards of care. Methadone and buprenorphine, for instance, require regular dosing. But ibogaine appears to act on underlying brain circuitry instead.

Why Ibogaine Is Currently Not Approved

The United States classifies ibogaine as a Schedule I drug. That puts it into a category of substances that federal law considers to have no currently accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.

Treatment, even in a clinical setting, can be grueling, though. Clients typically experience 18 to 36 hours of strong hallucinations and emotional upheaval.

Sessions can also create cardiac risks that require significant medical screening prior to treatment. Experts caution that the treatment must never be attempted without qualified medical supervision.

Though the treatment remains illegal in the US, that could soon change. President Trump recently signed an executive order that directed the government to speed up research into psychedelic treatments and specifically named ibogaine.

The FDA then began its first U.S. based trials of an ibogaine derived drug within days. Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee have also passed legislation that funds ibogaine trials.

Why Medical Detox Remains the Safe Path

Hope needs guardrails. Ibogaine does not provide medical detox and it does not replace addiction treatment.

A person with opioid dependence who stops using opioids alone still faces the underlying condition without the structure that supports long-term recovery. The same concern applies after a psychedelic session.

Ibogaine also carries cardiac risks. People with heart conditions or specific medications in their systems can face additional danger.

Evidence based care already addresses the problems that ibogaine promises to solve. Medication-assisted treatment with methadone or buprenorphine can control withdrawal and cravings. It can also reduce overdose deaths and connect people with ongoing care.

Medical detox gives people supervised support during detox withdrawal. Residential and outpatient treatment help people develop the skills that a single session cannot provide.

Finding Medical Detox

Patients should start with proven care and medical supervision when treating opioid dependence. Search Detox.com’s directory for drug detox and detox programs near you.

An unregulated retreat can’t be viewed as a shortcut to addiction recovery. Call 800-996-6135Sponsored to speak with a treatment specialist today.”