Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence.
Current drug abuse reviews – March 01, 2013
Source: PubMed
Summary
Remarkably, a compound from an African plant may significantly ease drug withdrawal and cravings. Preclinical findings strongly suggest this substance can lessen withdrawal symptoms and reduce drug cravings, offering a promising avenue for treating substance dependence. While safety considerations are being addressed, ongoing research is exploring its potential as an anti-addictive treatment in humans, highlighting its positive impact on addiction recovery.
Abstract
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from Tabernanthe iboga, a plant used in initiatory rituals in West Central Africa. Largely because of ibogaine's status as a Schedule I substance in the U.S., the development of ibogaine's use in the treatment of drug addiction took place outside conventional clinical and medical settings. This article reviews the history of ibogaine's use in the treatment of drug addiction, and discusses progress made towards, and obstacles blocking, the establishment of controlled clinical trials of ibogaine's efficacy. Preclinical research has generally supported anecdotal claims that ibogaine attenuates withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings. Concerns about ibogaine's safety, as well as a dearth of solid data from human studies, have hampered progress in its development as an approved medication. This article outlines major findings from preclinical studies, discusses concerns about ibogaine's safety, and details previous and ongoing research on ibogaine's use as an anti-addictive treatment for humans.