Ibogaine for Treating Addiction

For many people suffering from addiction, finding the right treatment option can be the difference between life and death. Many people don’t realize the variety of different methods available to them. Even if traditional rehabs have been unsuccessful, there are a number of alternative and more natural ways to treat addiction.

Among these is a powerful psychedelic called Ibogaine. This is a substance that’s been used for thousands of years by West African tribes and has proven itself again and again in the fight against addiction. Ibogaine has a unique capacity to minimize and eliminate withdrawals. It’s also been proven effective on a long-term basis.

Why Traditional Treatments Fail

Opioid use in the US has reached an all-time high. The government has declared a national state of emergency and overdose is currently the number one cause of accidental death. Every day claims another victim, and it’s becoming apparent that traditional treatment models aren’t working.

Many rehab strategies were built around drugs that didn’t have withdrawals as serious as opioids. The opioid detox process is extremely painful, and many users relapse just to avoid it. There are also antiquated therapeutic method that aren’t prepared for many of the younger generations of addicts.

The cost of treatment combined with a lack of available facilities has made inpatient programs very difficult for many addicts to utilize. Not only are many of these treatment methods unavailable, they’re also not able to meet all of the addict’s needs.

For someone who has used certain drugs for a prolonged period of time, the recovery can be long and extremely stressful. The brain is often unable to restore the chemical balance quickly enough to offset relapse and to prevent further drug use.

Some facilities will utilize things like methadone and Suboxone in an effort to wean the addict off of drugs. Unfortunately, these medications can become addictive themselves and many addicts are simply trading one substance for another.

For many addicts in the US, the rate of recovery is less than 20%. Ibogaine has the ability to drastically increase this number, and to provide a more effective method of treatment.

What Makes Ibogaine Different?

Ibogaine is a derivative of the root bark from the Tabernanthe Iboga plant of West Africa. It’s been used for thousands of years in tribal rituals and didn’t make its medicinal debut until the late 19th century. Two French scientists figured out how to extract the alkaloid from ibogaine and marketed it as a stimulant medication called Lambarene.

Lambarene made its way to the US where it was used by Olympic athletes as a performance-enhancing drug. In 1962 a young heroin addict named Howard Lotsof discovered ibogaine’s unique effects on withdrawals and addiction.

Lotsof took the ibogaine in hopes of having a psychedelic experience and discovered that it completely eliminated his withdrawals and allowed him to stop using heroin. This quickly piqued the interest of the scientific community and started immediate research into the use of Ibogaine for treating addiction.

Unfortunately, the US war on drugs made Ibogaine a schedule one medication in 1967—making it illegal for recreational or medicinal use within the United States. Research has continued in several other countries and has shown a great deal of promise for the use of Ibogaine in successfully treating addiction.

Ibogaine works by replenishing the chemicals that prolonged drug use depletes within the brain. It fills the neuro receptors that are usually occupied when drugs and alcohol are metabolized. This prevents the body from recognizing the lowered levels of drugs and alcohol and stops withdrawals immediately.

It’s important to remember that Ibogaine is a very powerful psychedelic and should only be taken under the strict supervision of a medical professional in a licensed facility. Adverse reactions have been reported, and safety is paramount to success.

Many addicts are willing to make the journey to another country to undergo treatment with Ibogaine. It’s important to make all travel arrangements far ahead of time, and to make sure that the patient has enough time to recover from the initial treatment. Speaking to a licensed facility can explain all of the procedures surrounding the program.

Preparing for Treatment

The first step is to locate a licensed treatment facility and to set up any initial consultation or medical testing requested by the staff. Ibogaine treatment is not necessarily for everyone, and it’s very important that the addict weigh their options, as well as Ibogaine treatment cost, before committing to any program.

If they decide to go through with the treatment, they may be asked to undergo a series of medical tests. Ibogaine can place a great deal of stress on the heart and certain systems within the body. It’s vital to make sure that all of these are in good shape prior to authorizing treatment.

Prospective patients will need to provide the medical professionals with any and all pertinent medical information. This could include their personal records as well as a list of any medications that they’re currently taking. They will also need to be completely transparent about their drug use and habits.

Prior to beginning treatment, the addict may be asked to abstain from any drugs and alcohol for a certain period of time. If the person is taking Methadone or Suboxone, they will need to stop taking this well in advance of the administration of Ibogaine. These medications can actually interfere with Ibogaine’s ability to chemically reset the brain.

The psychedelic effects of the Ibogaine usually last between 8 to 12 hours. Residual effects can last for up to 48 hours, but usually aren’t disruptive.

Once metabolized, Ibogaine transforms into Noribogaine. This chemical can continue to improve the addict’s system for a period of 2 to 3 months, continuing to help heal the brain from addiction long after the initial administration. It’s important that they undergo rigorous therapy and continue to seek out their recovery during this time.

Is Ibogaine Safe?

Just like any other medical procedure, Ibogaine comes with its own unique set of risks. Many of these are offset by prior testing before the authorization of treatment. It’s important to understand the risks and weigh them against the potential rewards.

Ultimately, each and every person needs to make the decision that works best for them. Overcoming addiction and attempting to live a better life needs to be the goal of both the addict in the people providing their treatment.

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