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R&D Medicines > Ibogaine for Drug Addiction
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Ibogaine is a naturally occurring alkaloid that comes from the root bark of a shrub native to West Africa. It is used in healing ceremonies and initiations conducted by members of the Bwiti religion in various parts of West Africa. In small doses, it can serve as a stimulant, and in larger doses, it produces a profound psychedelic state. People with problem substance-use have found that psychedelic doses of ibogaine can significantly reduce withdrawal from opiates and eliminate substance-related cravings for a period of time.
MAPS is collecting data in order to add reliable information to the scientific literature about ibogaine as a treatment for drug addiction. Due to lack of funding, MAPS is not currently sponsoring clinical trials intended to turn ibogaine into a prescription medicine at this time, but we are leveraging the resources we have by studying the long-term effects of patients who are already being treated with ibogaine at underground clinics.
Ibogaine is currently placed in Schedule 1 in the US (and also scheduled in Belgium and Switzerland), despite its subjective effects not being especially "fun" or desirable and despite its reported anti-addiction properties. Regardless of this scheduling, it is reported that individuals still go to underground clinics to be treated with ibogaine for substance addiction.
Unlike other psychedelics, ibogaine carries serious medical risk. We estimate that 1 in 300 people who use ibogaine die during the experience or shortly after. These deaths are sometimes explained as a result of bradycardia (slowing of the heart), lethal combinations with other substances, liver problems, and other conditions. Since untreated drug addiction can also carry serious health risks, some people decide that ibogaine treatment is worth the risk while others do not. We advise anyone interested in using ibogaine to weigh the risks and benefits and make an informed decision before proceeding, and in particular to familiarize yourself with the medical assistance available during the session (if any). More information about ibogaine risks are available here.
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| MAPS-Supported Ibogaine Research |
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Observational Case Series Study of the Long- Term Efficacy of Ibogaine-Assisted Therapy and Associated Interventions in Participants with Opiate Addiction
Featured Presentation
News and Progress Reports
Ibogaine-Related Documents and Resources
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