Novel treatment of opioid use disorder using ibogaine and iboga in two adults
Journal of Evolutionary Psychology March 30, 2020 Claire Wilson, Trevor Millar, Zak Matieschyn 11 citations
Ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychedelic medicine, may help treat opioid use disorder by reducing withdrawal symptoms and supporting abstinence. A case series of two individuals who accessed ibogaine through unregulated clinics in Vancouver found that one client achieved total abstinence from all opioids within 5–6 days of starting treatment, experienced no withdrawal symptoms, and remained abstinent for 3 years. The second patient stopped non-medical opioids after the first treatment and used ibogaine to reduce opioid agonist therapy, maintaining abstinence for 2 years. The psychoactive experience may also help realign values and reduce depression, though further studies are needed to establish safety and efficacy.