What To Know When Considering Ibogaine Detox

With the recent crackdown on the overprescribing of opioids, many chronic pain sufferers have moved from physician-prescribed opioids to street drugs like heroin. Unfortunately, just like prescription opioids, these drugs carry an incredibly high potential for addiction. And furthermore, research has shown that opioid addiction can actually change the brain in a way that the use or abuse of other drugs doesn't. 

Treating opioid addiction often involves the use of drugs like suboxone or methadone, which bind to certain receptors in the brain to stave off withdrawal symptoms without providing the same "high" as oxycodone, hydrocodone, or heroin. But some criticize these treatment methods as nothing more than the substitution of one addiction for another. Instead, ibogaine, which has long been prized for its psychoactive properties, may hold the key to ending opioid use. Learn more about ibogaine detox and how it may be able to help opioid users break the addiction cycle.  

What Is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine is derived from the iboga shrub, most commonly found in West Africa. For centuries, locals have used ibogaine for its stimulant properties, but larger doses of this substance can actually reduce or even eliminate opioid cravings by blocking opioid receptors in the brain.

Unlike methadone and suboxone, which may need to be slowly tapered over a period of years or even decades, ibogaine users can wean themselves relatively quickly to begin their opioid-free life. Also unlike methadone and suboxone, ibogaine generally isn't considered addictive on its own, so users won't need to turn to another substance to fill the void left once ibogaine use has ceased. 

How Is Ibogaine Administered? 

Currently, Ibogaine (like marijuana) is federally classified as a Schedule I drug. This means it has "no currently accepted medical use" and cannot be prescribed by doctors. However, ibogaine detox has a worldwide following, and many countries permit this type of treatment under medical supervision. If you're interested in pursuing ibogaine detox as an alternative to suboxone, methadone, or "cold turkey" treatment, you may be able to arrange an international trip that involves a stay in an ibogaine detox center.

Ibogaine treatment isn't without risks, and those who have been using or abusing opioids for some period of time may have special health risks. It's important to always seek out a medically-supervised treatment center so that you can be monitored throughout your stay. The right ibogaine dosage for you will largely depend on your overall health and the severity of your opioid addiction.

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