Ibogaine for addiction...
Ibogaine is an alternative treatment for substance addiction and other addictive behaviors. It can vastly reduce the symptoms of drug withdrawals and interrupts pathways in the brain that have been conditioned to support addictive behaviors. Ibogaine treatment plays an effective role in all kinds of addiction treatments, including:
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How Ibogaine Works...
Ibogaine works in two different ways: physical and introspective.
Physical effects of Ibogaine:
Ibogaine’s mechanism of action is still not completely clear. What is known is that the drug affects multiple receptors in the brain. Metabolically, a protein is fabricated which blocks NMDA opiate receptors. Drug-induced craving is linked to increased activity of these receptors and blocking them can inhibit cravings. By inhibiting these receptors, your symptoms of withdrawal are effectively blocked. This process is done immediately, and puts your brain back to a pre-addicted state – it significantly reduces, or in most cases eliminates, withdrawals from the addiction. Once this process is complete, no further use of Ibogaine is necessary.
The long-term relief from withdrawal symptoms probably comes from the fact that Ibogaine is converted by your liver into nor-Ibogaine, which stores up in the fat cells of your body and is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to six months. It can take up to 72 to 96 hours post treatment for these effects to really be experienced. Ibogaine also has a documented anti-depressive effect that establishes a state of well-being, freeing you from negative thought patterns and anxiety that may interfere with your long-term healing.
Ibogaine functions in a similar way to standard treatments that block or take residence in the receptor sites that normally harbor chemical substances. However, unlike methadone or suboxone, which lead to chemical dependency, Ibogaine is non-addictive and doesn't need to be taken on a continuing basis. Ibogaine treats other chemical dependencies by cleansing the body of the drugs, and resetting the brain's neuro-chemistry. It appears and feels as if the memory of dependency is removed from your mind and body.
Ibogaine also works to rebalance your brain chemistry and level out dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and adrenaline to a pre-addicted state.
This helps you to feel better much more quickly, especially compared to quitting a substance cold turkey. Without Ibogaine it can take weeks or even months to regain the balance in neurotransmitters after discontinuing use.
Ibogaine therapy is most effective when combined with the initiation of a healthy lifestyle, but as far as craving and chemical dependency the change occurs quickly.
The long-term relief from withdrawal symptoms probably comes from the fact that Ibogaine is converted by your liver into nor-Ibogaine, which stores up in the fat cells of your body and is slowly released into the bloodstream for up to six months. It can take up to 72 to 96 hours post treatment for these effects to really be experienced. Ibogaine also has a documented anti-depressive effect that establishes a state of well-being, freeing you from negative thought patterns and anxiety that may interfere with your long-term healing.
Ibogaine functions in a similar way to standard treatments that block or take residence in the receptor sites that normally harbor chemical substances. However, unlike methadone or suboxone, which lead to chemical dependency, Ibogaine is non-addictive and doesn't need to be taken on a continuing basis. Ibogaine treats other chemical dependencies by cleansing the body of the drugs, and resetting the brain's neuro-chemistry. It appears and feels as if the memory of dependency is removed from your mind and body.
Ibogaine also works to rebalance your brain chemistry and level out dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and adrenaline to a pre-addicted state.
This helps you to feel better much more quickly, especially compared to quitting a substance cold turkey. Without Ibogaine it can take weeks or even months to regain the balance in neurotransmitters after discontinuing use.
Ibogaine therapy is most effective when combined with the initiation of a healthy lifestyle, but as far as craving and chemical dependency the change occurs quickly.
Introspective effects of Ibogaine:
Ibogaine is a psychedelic substance that can create a dream-like sequence of events or sensations that provide you with critical insights into the origins of your addiction process or other unhealthy behavior patterns. On Ibogaine you are able to gain insight into the subconscious workings of your own mind and the compulsions to take hard drugs or alcohol subside. The experience also makes you more receptive to life changes and therapeutic interventions, allowing a healthy way of working through problems in the long term.
During this "awakened dream" state, past events, even those which you may not be conscious of, may come to the surface of your thoughts. The hallucinations that most people experience during this phase of the treatment typically include replays of life events, trauma, events that have lead to the addiction, people they are associated with and reasons and causes of their addiction. Many people report finding answers to questions about themselves and their lives and that they have a deeper understanding of their place in the world and the reason for being. A new way of life and a new sense of self is often an important starting point for many people trying to break their addiction.
In effect, years of therapy can be replicated in a matter of hours.
This is not experienced visually by everyone. It varies from person to person. This can be a very beneficial experience, but even if there are no dreams or even clear messages the Ibogaine still does the job of resetting and rebalancing your body and mind.
This initial phase is followed by a period of introspection during which you are able to process the information that was revealed during the journey. You may experience the full range of emotions during these first 24-36 hours, and most people require some down-time to recuperate physically. The drug can be tiring physically and emotionally because of the serious and all-encompassing nature of the hallucinations. You may have to face traumatic and upsetting events and memories that are blocking your future development and change. The nature of this introspection is important if you have a substance addiction as you may be treating your emotions and problems with the drug. Occasionally people can be completely overcome emotionally by what has been revealed to them, and some may become very depressed. It is important to let go and allow the emotions to flow, whatever comes up. This is a large part of the healing process.
While this may be uncomfortable, it is important to remember that, in large part, the success of your treatment is dependent on allowing this process to fully run its course. These feelings will not persist, and in fact, the majority of people experience an incredible sense of calm and well-being post treatment.
After this period, there is a window of opportunity, anywhere from 12 to 24 days, for you to witness behaviors that you have that in the past were acted out in a completely unconscious manner. You may now experience these actions consciously. Many people find that discussing their experiences freely and without judgment or shame makes them relax into the revelations and insights gained during the Ibogaine session. This is why we offer life coaching sessions after the treatment in order for you to discuss and integrate your experience.
During this "awakened dream" state, past events, even those which you may not be conscious of, may come to the surface of your thoughts. The hallucinations that most people experience during this phase of the treatment typically include replays of life events, trauma, events that have lead to the addiction, people they are associated with and reasons and causes of their addiction. Many people report finding answers to questions about themselves and their lives and that they have a deeper understanding of their place in the world and the reason for being. A new way of life and a new sense of self is often an important starting point for many people trying to break their addiction.
In effect, years of therapy can be replicated in a matter of hours.
This is not experienced visually by everyone. It varies from person to person. This can be a very beneficial experience, but even if there are no dreams or even clear messages the Ibogaine still does the job of resetting and rebalancing your body and mind.
This initial phase is followed by a period of introspection during which you are able to process the information that was revealed during the journey. You may experience the full range of emotions during these first 24-36 hours, and most people require some down-time to recuperate physically. The drug can be tiring physically and emotionally because of the serious and all-encompassing nature of the hallucinations. You may have to face traumatic and upsetting events and memories that are blocking your future development and change. The nature of this introspection is important if you have a substance addiction as you may be treating your emotions and problems with the drug. Occasionally people can be completely overcome emotionally by what has been revealed to them, and some may become very depressed. It is important to let go and allow the emotions to flow, whatever comes up. This is a large part of the healing process.
While this may be uncomfortable, it is important to remember that, in large part, the success of your treatment is dependent on allowing this process to fully run its course. These feelings will not persist, and in fact, the majority of people experience an incredible sense of calm and well-being post treatment.
After this period, there is a window of opportunity, anywhere from 12 to 24 days, for you to witness behaviors that you have that in the past were acted out in a completely unconscious manner. You may now experience these actions consciously. Many people find that discussing their experiences freely and without judgment or shame makes them relax into the revelations and insights gained during the Ibogaine session. This is why we offer life coaching sessions after the treatment in order for you to discuss and integrate your experience.
The science behind Ibogaine as an addiction treatment:
There are two studies sponsored by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a US non-profit research organisation), which are currently underway in Mexico and New Zealand. Data from these studies contribute to the growing scientific literature about Ibogaine as a treatment for drug addiction. In addition to measuring how long former addicts stay clean after ibogaine treatments, these studies will also assess general quality of life conditions like employment, social relationships, feelings of depression, and changes in emotional intelligence.
Although they are still gathering data, preliminary results show a remarkable 20 – 50% rate of abstinence on follow-up a year later. This is in stark contrast to the clinical results of many conventional treatment options—the success rate of Suboxone-assisted opiate addiction treatment, for instance, drops to 8.6% once the Suboxone is discontinued. Unlike replacement treatments, a single dose of Ibogaine — if fully integrated into a patient’s mindset — is effective for a very long time.
Although they are still gathering data, preliminary results show a remarkable 20 – 50% rate of abstinence on follow-up a year later. This is in stark contrast to the clinical results of many conventional treatment options—the success rate of Suboxone-assisted opiate addiction treatment, for instance, drops to 8.6% once the Suboxone is discontinued. Unlike replacement treatments, a single dose of Ibogaine — if fully integrated into a patient’s mindset — is effective for a very long time.
- Mexico: Thomas Kingsley Brown, Ph.D., & Kenneth Alper, Ph.D. (2017): Treatment of opioid use disorder with ibogaine: detoxification and drug use outcomes, The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1320802 |
- New Zealand: Geoffrey E. Noller, Ph.D., Chris M. Frampton, Ph.D., & Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Ph.D. (2017): Ibogaine treatment outcomes for opioid dependence from a twelve-month follow-up observational study, The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1310218 |
Willingness to change:
Ibogaine is not a magic bullet by itself. As with any treatment, the Ibogaine experience must be coupled with a willingness to change. No drug treatment will work unless you are willing to change your life. However, with a true desire to change anyone can find their path to a successful drug free life.
It is also important that treatments of Ibogaine use both the right dose and right environment. If this is not done properly then dangerous side effects can occur. We provide that safe environment for you and will be there every step of the way to guide and assist you on your journey.
It is also important that treatments of Ibogaine use both the right dose and right environment. If this is not done properly then dangerous side effects can occur. We provide that safe environment for you and will be there every step of the way to guide and assist you on your journey.