What is Iboga?
According to Wikipedia, iboga is defined as having the official name of Tabernanthe iboga and it is a “perennial rainforest shrub and psychedelic, native to western Central Africa and stimulates the central nervous system when taken in small doses and induces hallucinations in larger doses.” In addition to this, many define it as a miracle substance for it supposedly eliminates drug cravings as well as withdrawing symptoms. However, the amount of in-depth study and the fact that it is used by many without seeking any professional guidance or help is extremely concerning. Iboga itself is a drug that is potent and can cause negative effects, including intense hallucination and potentially deadly side-effects. According to science, iboga seems to activate the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) — which plays a unique role in mitigating the effects of drugs — and due to its synaptic structure changes that it causes, it may alter how the mesolimbic dopaminergic system responds, canceling the ‘rewarding effect’ and neuroadaptations that are given by drug abuse.
Three Phases of Iboga
Just because something promises good things, it does not mean that it will not cause any harm. Taking iboga has three phases which include: gradual changes to visual, auditory, and body perception, as well as dry mouth and coordination difficulty for the first phase, intense visual hallucination and changes of perception of everything for the second phase, and eventually a period of deep introspection for the third phase. In fact, between the years of 1990 and 2008, 19 individuals have passed away within 1.5-76 hours of taking ibogaine. In the future, however, with further research, it is possible for patients to experience the positive effects of ibogaine without having to experience its negative effects.
“In some circles, iboga — a potent psychedelic drug obtained from the root bark of the African plant Tabernanthe iboga — is hailed as a miracle substance capable of instantly eliminating cravings and withdrawal symptoms for even the most heavily addicted opioid users. But iboga itself is a potent drug in itself that induces intense hallucinations and potentially deadly side-effects. Anecdotal evidence of iboga’s therapeutic effects for tackling drug abuse and addiction is abundant, but what does the science actually say?
Ibogaine (12-methoxyibogamine) is the main alkaloid of at least 12 alkaloids found in the Tabernanthe iboga plant. The substance seems to activate the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) pathway in the ventral tegmental area of the brain, increasing its expression. Previous studies have found that the GDNF pathway plays a unique role in mitigating the negative effects of drugs with a high potential for abuse and raises the survivability of adult dopamine-related neurons. The synaptic remodeling may change the responsiveness of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, thereby canceling the ‘rewarding effect’ and neuroadaptations induced by drug abuse. Such ibogaine-induced changes in GDNF expression may serve to explain the psychedelic drug’s potential efficacy against serious drug addiction.”
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