Ibogaine

"You don't take Ibogaine and party: You take Ibogaine and throw up on yourself."

                 -Anonymous Ibogaine Therapist






This Ibogaine situation is oh too similar to the Pscilocybin mushroom situation.  The reporter said it perfectly: The stigma associated with these hallucinogenic substances is stopping legislators from making progressive changes.  Just because a few degenerates are willing to poison themselves for a cheap high, mushrooms and ibogaine are not being used in American medicine.  These preconceived notions of negativity surrounding drugs are preventing us from researching their remarkable healing abilities.

Tabernanthe Iboga

Much like Psylobin mushrooms, Ibogaine can be found throughout nature.  The acting psychedelic chemical is prevalent in many African plants -- mainly the Iboga -- and indigenous Africans have been using these plants for centuries.  In 2000, the Tabernanthe Iboga was declared a national treasure by the nation of Gabon, so it seems not everyone shares America's view on the plant.

Of course, Ibogaine's legal status is not stopping people from experimenting.  Just like marijuana and mushrooms, Americans are using Ibogaine medicinally behind closed doors.  Although the market may not be as large as the others, there are dozens of Ibogaine therapists practicing in the US today.  One instance of Ibogaine treatment in the media is in the award winning documentary Facing The Habit.  This documentary follows "Dave", a former Wall Street millionaire, as he battles his heroin addiction with Ibogaine therapy.  Dave's story is not glamorous; he fails to recover after his first therapy session due to lack of dedication, but eventually, focused therapy cures his addiction.

Ibogaine, not as 'natural' as it sounds

So why is Ibogaine still illegal?  One key argument -- that I fully support -- is the lack of testing and research concerning the drug.  The long term effects are simply unknown.  If these potentially life threatening long-term effects are discovered after Ibogaine treatment is legalized, there will be dire consequences.  There is still much to be learned, but this simply amplifies the importance of research.  Hopefully we can uncover the mystery surrounding Ibogaine, before more Americans travel to Mexico for a potentially fatal treatment.