The Ibogaine Experience: A Qualitative Study on the Acute Subjective Effects of Ibogaine
Maja Kohek, Maurice Ohren, Paul Hornby, Miguel Ángel Alcázar‐córcoles, José Carlos Bouso
Anthropology of Consciousness March 1, 2020 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1111/anoc.12119 via OpenAlex
Summary
The study identified eight categories of acute subjective effects experienced by individuals who took ibogaine, including physical, sensory, cognitive, and emotional responses. Ten subcategories were also noted, such as enhanced empathy, ego dissolution, and spiritual states. This work enhances understanding of ibogaine's potential role in personal growth and therapeutic applications.
Study at a glance
| Design | qualitative study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 20 |
| Population | individuals who had recently taken ibogaine |
| Key finding | Eight categories and ten subcategories of the acute subjective effects of ibogaine were identified. |
Abstract
Abstract Ibogaine is the most abundant alkaloid present in the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga . As a result of the lack of research on the acute subjective effects, the purpose of this study was to identify categories of the ibogaine experience and gain a better understanding of the internal processes while under its effects. We created a semistructured interview and recruited twenty individuals who had recently taken ibogaine. The interviews were analyzed according to grounded theory approach. We identified eight categories (physical, sensory, visual, cognitive, auditory, adverse, anti‐dependency agent, after‐effects) and ten subcategories (open eye visuals; closed eye visuals: ancestors and entities, sceneries and landscapes, horrific scenarios; self‐psychoanalysis enhancement; empathy, love, and prosocial behavior; catharsis; observer quality; ego dissolution; spiritual states) of the acute subjective effects of ibogaine. The study contributes to the advancement of our understanding of ibogaine and its role in personal growth, prosocial behavior, therapeutic use, and anti‐dependency treatments.