A preliminary investigation of ibogaine: case reports and recommendations for further study.

A single high dose of ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychotropic alkaloid, eliminated opiate withdrawal symptoms in seven addicted individuals. At doses of 700–1800 mg, none showed significant withdrawal after the 24–38-hour psychoactive period. Of the six who took 1000 mg or more, two relapsed after weeks, one returned to intermittent heroin use, and three remained drug-free for at least 14 weeks. The one who took 700 mg resumed abuse after 2 days. Ibogaine may help treat substance abuse and inspire future medications.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A naturally occurring substance, ibogaine, was taken by seven individuals who were addicted to opiates. Ibogaine, an alkaloid with psychotropic effects at doses of 200-300 mg and above, was taken in single doses of 700-1800 mg by the subjects in the study. At the end of the 24-38-hr psychoactive period induced by the drug at these doses, none of the subjects displayed significant opiate withdrawal symptoms. At the lowest dose of 700 mg, one subject recontinued his drug abuse after 2 days; of the remaining six individuals who took 1,000 mg or above, two relapsed after a number of weeks, one reverted to intermittent heroin use, and three appear to have remained drug-free 14 weeks or more after undergoing this experimental treatment. Ibogaine may be of value in the present and could serve as a model for the development of improved agents for the treatment of substance abuse in the future.