OPEN Foundation

Iboga / Ibogaine

Editorial (Thematic Issue: Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’)

January 28, 2015 / Addiction, Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, DMT, Iboga / Ibogaine, Indigenous use, LSD, MDMA, Medicine, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Other subjects, Other substances, Papers, Phenomenology, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychosis, Psychotherapy, Publications, Safety, Salvia / Salvinorin A, Sociology, Spirituality / By / ,

Editorial

Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’

We are witnessing a revival of psychedelic research. An increasing number of studies investigating the therapeutic use of psychedelics are currently underway at some of the most renowned universities. Dedicating a second issue of ‘Current Drug Abuse Reviews’ to psychedelics aims to keep up with this blossoming field. With the availability of modern scientific instruments, psychedelic research is once again gaining a firm foothold in academia.

The idea of this special issue originated at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research, organised by the OPEN Foundation in 2012. OPEN was founded in 2007 in the Netherlands, in order to stimulate and advance scientific research into psychedelics. This special issue of CDAR takes an interdisciplinary approach to the topic of psychedelics and mental health, while maintaining a particular focus on applications of psychedelics in the fields of substance abuse and addiction. This special issue also takes a critical look at some widespread assumptions about psychedelics, introduces new ideas and suggests novel directions for future research.

Kortekaas, R., & Breeksema, J. J. (2015). Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 7(2), 69-70. https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874473708666150120114604

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Articles in this special issue:

Editorial (Thematic Issue: Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’)
Ayahuasca, Psychedelic Studies and Health Sciences: The Politics of Knowledge and Inquiry into an Amazonian Plant Brew
Crisis Intervention Related to the Use of Psychoactive Substances in Recreational Settings – Evaluating the Kosmicare Project at Boom Festival
Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca
A Qualitative Report on the Subjective Experience of Intravenous Psilocybin Administered in an fMRI Environment
Salvinorin A and Related Compounds as Therapeutic Drugs for Psychostimulant-Related Disorders

Editorial (Thematic Issue: Introduction to 'Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions')

January 28, 2015 / Addiction, Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, DMT, Iboga / Ibogaine, Indigenous use, LSD, MDMA, Medicine, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Mystical experiences, Neuroscience, Other subjects, Other substances, Papers, Phenomenology, Philosophy, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychosis, Psychotherapy, Publications, Safety, Salvia / Salvinorin A, Sociology, Spirituality / By / ,

Editorial

Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’

We are witnessing a revival of psychedelic research. An increasing number of studies investigating the therapeutic use of psychedelics are currently underway at some of the most renowned universities. Dedicating a second issue of ‘Current Drug Abuse Reviews’ to psychedelics aims to keep up with this blossoming field. With the availability of modern scientific instruments, psychedelic research is once again gaining a firm foothold in academia.

The idea of this special issue originated at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research, organised by the OPEN Foundation in 2012. OPEN was founded in 2007 in the Netherlands, in order to stimulate and advance scientific research into psychedelics. This special issue of CDAR takes an interdisciplinary approach to the topic of psychedelics and mental health, while maintaining a particular focus on applications of psychedelics in the fields of substance abuse and addiction. This special issue also takes a critical look at some widespread assumptions about psychedelics, introduces new ideas and suggests novel directions for future research.

Kortekaas, R., & Breeksema, J. J. (2015). Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 7(2), 69-70. https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874473708666150120114604

Link to full text

Articles in this special issue:

Editorial (Thematic Issue: Introduction to ‘Beneficial Effects of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Addictions’)
Ayahuasca, Psychedelic Studies and Health Sciences: The Politics of Knowledge and Inquiry into an Amazonian Plant Brew
Crisis Intervention Related to the Use of Psychoactive Substances in Recreational Settings – Evaluating the Kosmicare Project at Boom Festival
Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca
A Qualitative Report on the Subjective Experience of Intravenous Psilocybin Administered in an fMRI Environment
Salvinorin A and Related Compounds as Therapeutic Drugs for Psychostimulant-Related Disorders

Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

January 28, 2015 / Addiction, Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, Iboga / Ibogaine, Indigenous use, LSD, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications / By /

Abstract

Substances known as psychedelics, hallucinogens and entheogens have been employed in ethnomedical traditions for thousands of years, but after promising uses in the 1950’s and 1960’s they were largely prohibited in medical treatment and human research starting in the 1970’s as part of the fallout from the war on drugs. Nonetheless, there are a number of studies which suggest that these substances have potential applications in the treatment of addictions. While these substances are generally classified as Schedule I, alleging no established medical uses and a high drug abuse potential, there is nonetheless evidence indicating they might be safe and effective tools for short term interventions in addictions treatment. Evidence suggests that the psychedelics have a much greater safety profile than the major addictive drugs, having extremely low levels of mortality, and producing little if any physical dependence. This paper reviews studies evaluating the use of LSD, peyote, ibogaine and ayahuasca in the treatment of dependencies and the possible mechanisms underlying the indications of effectiveness. Evidence suggests that these substances help assist recovery from drug dependency through a variety of therapeutic mechanisms, including a notable “after-glow” effect that in part reflects their action on the serotonin neurotransmitter system. Serotonin has been long recognized as central to the psychedelics’ well-known phenomenological, physical, emotional and cognitive dynamics. These serotonin-based dynamics are directly relevant to treatment of addiction because of depressed serotonin levels found in addict populations, as well as the role of serotonin as a neuromodulators affecting many other neurotransmitter systems.

Winkelman, M. (2015). Psychedelics as Medicines for Substance Abuse Rehabilitation: Evaluating Treatments with LSD, Peyote, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca. Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 7(2), 101-116. https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1874473708666150107120011

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Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy?

January 5, 2015 / Addiction, Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, Iboga / Ibogaine, Ketamine, LSD, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

After a 40-year hiatus there is now a revisiting of psychedelic drug therapy throughout psychiatry, with studies examining the drugs psilocybin, ketamine, ibogaine and ayahuasca in the treatment of drug dependence. Limitations to these therapies are both clinical and legal, but the possibility of improving outcomes for patients with substance dependency imposes an obligation to research this area.

Sessa, B., & Johnson, M. W. (2015). Can psychedelic compounds play a part in drug dependence therapy? The British Journal of Psychiatry, 206, 1-3. https://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.114.148031

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Ascending-dose study of noribogaine in healthy volunteers: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability

December 22, 2014 / Iboga / Ibogaine, Papers, Psychopharmacology, Publications, Safety, Toxicology / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

Noribogaine is the active metabolite of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine, and may help suppress withdrawal symptoms in opioid-dependent subjects. The objectives of this Phase I study were to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of noribogaine. In this ascending single-dose, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study in 36 healthy drug-free male volunteers, 4 cohorts (n = 9) received oral doses of 3, 10, 30, or 60 mg or matching placebo, with intensive safety and pharmacokinetic assessments out to 216 hours, along with pharmacodynamic assessments sensitive to the effects of mu-opioid agonists. Noribogaine was rapidly absorbed, with peak concentrations occurring 2–3 hours after oral dosing, and showed dose-linear increases of area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) and Cmax between 3 and 60 mg. The drug was slowly eliminated, with mean half-life estimates of 28–49 hours across dose groups. Apparent volume of distribution was high (mean 1417–3086 L across dose groups). No safety or tolerability issues were identified in any cohort. No mu-opioid agonist pharmacodynamic effects were noted in pupillometry or cold-pressor testing. Single oral doses of noribogaine 3–60 mg were safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers.

Glue, P., Lockhart, M., Lam, F., Hung, N., Hung, C. T., & Friedhoff, L. (2014). Ascending‐dose study of noribogaine in healthy volunteers: Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, safety, and tolerability. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jcph.404

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Ibogaine: useful in treating addiction to non-opioids?

December 6, 2021 / Addiction, Articles, Iboga / Ibogaine, Publications, Research / By

iboga508It has been known for some time that ibogaine can probably help in the treatment of drug addiction. But up until now researchers focused primarily on the addiction to opioids like heroin and morphine. A group of scientists in Brazil found out that ibogaine might also help against addiction to alcohol, cannabis and cocaine, implying a wider range of potential therapeutic applications.

Treating drug dependence can be hard. Conventional therapies often are lengthy and costly. Nowadays the increased interest in the potential of psychedelics in the battle against addiction has urged new investigations. Several studies on the use of LSD and psilocybin for this purpose have been published [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][1]. Ibogaine is another psychedelic that has gained the attention of scientists. This is an alkaloid that can be found in the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga plant, growing in West central Africa. As early as 1962 the substance was used in trials to overcome heroin addiction. But further investigation was made difficult by a statutory ban in many countries. In Brazil however, ibogaine is not an illegal substance, allowing research to continue. A group of scientists from the University of São Paulo, led by Eduardo Schenberg, retrospectively evaluated data from a private clinic in Curitiba, which treated patients with pure ibogaine HCl in a professional environment and as part of a larger psychotherapeutic program [2]. The patients in the study were addicts to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, and/or crack cocaine. The researchers concluded that 61% of these patients were still abstinent after five to eight months, and that none of them experienced long-lasting negative side effects. Repeated sessions (two or three times) appeared to be especially effective.

Using ibogaine in the treatment of drug addiction is not without risks however. The substance can cause serious arrhythmia, which has led to several fatalities in the past. But according to Schenberg et al., most of these cases were probably due to a pre-existing heart disorder (e.g. “long-QT-syndrome”, a condition causing severe irregular heartbeat). Moreover, the ibogaine or iboga extracts in those cases were often used without quality control and without the supervision of trained and qualified medical staff. Using other psychoactive substances and certain prescription drugs shortly before the ibogaine ingestion can also cause adverse effects. For that reason, the clinic in which this study took place implemented a protocol to ensure that patients are abstinent at least thirty days before the ibogaine is administered. If this is observed and sessions are accompanied in a professional way, then ibogaine can probably be a good aid in the treatment of addiction, according to the researchers. They admit however that more research is necessary, also into the potential adverse effects of ibogaine on the heart.

 
[1] Johnson et al. (2014) and Krebs & Johansen (2012)
[2] Schenberg et al. (2014)
 
References

Schenberg, E. E., de Castro Comis, M. A., Rasmussen Chaves, B. & da Silveira, D. X. (2014). Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: A retrospective study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 993-1000. [Abstract]
Krebs, T. S. & Johansen, P. Ø. (2012). Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcoholism: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 26(11), 994-1002. [Abstract]
Johnson, M. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., Cosimano, M. P., & Griffiths, R. R. (2014). Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 983-992. [Abstract][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: A retrospective study

September 29, 2014 / Addiction, Iboga / Ibogaine, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapy, Publications, Safety, Toxicology / By / , , ,

Abstract

Ibogaine is an alkaloid purported to be an effective drug dependence treatment. However, its efficacy has been hard to evaluate, partly because it is illegal in some countries. In such places, treatments are conducted in underground settings where fatalities have occurred. In Brazil ibogaine is unregulated and a combined approach of psychotherapy and ibogaine is being practiced to treat addiction. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ibogaine, we conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 75 previous alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and crack users (72% poly-drug users). We observed no serious adverse reactions or fatalities, and found 61% of participants abstinent. Participants treated with ibogaine only once reported abstinence for a median of 5.5 months and those treated multiple times for a median of 8.4 months. This increase was statistically significant (p < 0.001), and both single or multiple treatments led to longer abstinence periods than before the first ibogaine session (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the use of ibogaine supervised by a physician and accompanied by psychotherapy can facilitate prolonged periods of abstinence, without the occurrence of fatalities or complications. These results suggest that ibogaine can be a safe and effective treatment for dependence on stimulant and other non-opiate drugs.

Schenberg, E.E., de Castro Comis, M.A., Rasmussen Chaves, B. & da Silveira, D. X. (2014). Treating drug dependence with the aid of ibogaine: A retrospective study. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 28(11), 993-1000. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269881114552713
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Iboga-Type Alkaloids from Ervatamia officinalis

August 5, 2014 / Chemistry, Ethnobotany, Iboga / Ibogaine, New substances, Other subjects, Other substances, Papers, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

Seven new iboga-type alkaloids, ervaoffines A–D (1–4), (7S)-3-oxoibogaine hydroxyindolenine (5), ibogaine-5,6-dione (6), and 19-epi-5-oxovoacristine (7), and 10 known alkaloids were isolated from Ervatamia officinalis. The absolute configurations of 1–7 were determined through X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. Ervaoffines A and B represent the first iboga-type pseudoindoxyl alkaloids in which the C-2 spiro carbon configuration is opposite to that of other members of this class, such as iboluteine (8). The relationship between the absolute configuration of the spiro carbons and the Cotton effect in the ECD spectrum is established for the first time for iboga-type pseudoindoxyl and oxindole alkaloids. Additionally, a plausible biogenetic pathway for these alkaloids is proposed.

Tang, B. Q., Wang, W. J., Huang, X. J., Li, G. Q., Wang, L., Jiang, R. W., … & Ye, W. C. (2014). Iboga-Type Alkaloids from Ervatamia officinalis. Journal of natural products, 77(8), 1839-1846. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/np500240b
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Does the Nervous System Have an Intrinsic Archaic Language? Entoptic Images and Phosphenes

August 2, 2014 / Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, DMT, Ethnobotany, Iboga / Ibogaine, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Other disciplines, Other subjects, Papers, Publications, Religious studies, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By /

Abstract

Psychoactive plants have been consumed by many cultures, cults and groups during religious rituals and ceremonies for centuries and they have been influential on the eruption of the many images, secret and religious symbols, esoteric geometrical shapes, archetypes, religious figures, philosophy of religions since the dawn of Homo sapiens. Some of the psychoactive plants used for religious purposes were; narcotic analgesics (opium), THC (cannabis), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), ibogaine (Tabernanthe iboga), DMT (Ayahuasca and phalaris species), peganum harmala, bufotenin, muscimol (Amanita muscaria), Thujone (Absinthe, Arthemisia absinthium), ephedra, mandragora, star lotus, salvia divinorum etc. An important property of these natural chemicals is to induce the human psyche to perceive some optical forms and shapes, which are existent in the subconscious and collective unconsciousness, and which emerge during some certain trance states and ASCs. Some of these simple geometric forms are called entoptic images and phosphenes. Entopic images and phosphenes have been found in various cultural art work and the drawings of cave walls, which were formed during the shamanic religious rituals since the Neolithic times. Also entoptic images exist in many folkloric, traditional and cultures geometrical shapes. Long before the creation of languages, visual perception and information was the only source for the mankind to perceive outer world, as it is the only one in the primate world. This article reviews the possibility of an ancient forgotten visual sign and symbol language, which is genetically existent in the human brain and that, emerges out during ASCs, trance states and the consciousness altered by the psychoactive plants. The basics of this geometrical sign and symbol language may have generated the formation of some archetypal symbols and concepts, which are yet to be discovered. Near to this, emerging of many attributes of the sub-or-un-consciousness, during those “psychedelic plant journeys” had had a prodigious impact on the formation and creation of many religious “figures, characters, creatures, archetype images” that today exist, not only in the mythology, but also in many religions, as well, such as angels, spirits, Jinns, demons, Satan, mythological creatures, supra-natural creatures, gods, and goddesses. Mystical and religious experiences during the rituals using psychoactive plants may have also helped the archaic ancestral information, coded in the limbic system, to come out onto the consciousness, which may also have helped the evolution of the hominoids and Homo sapiens.

Sayin, H. U. (2014). Does the Nervous System Have an Intrinsic Archaic Language? Entoptic Images and Phosphenes. Neuroquantology, 12(3), 427-445. https://dx.doi.org/10.14704/nq.2014.12.3.756
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The Consumption of Psychoactive Plants in Ancient Global and Anatolian Cultures During Religious Rituals: The Roots of the Eruption of Mythological Figures and Common Symbols in Religions and Myths

June 12, 2014 / Ayahuasca, Cacti / Mescaline, DMT, Ethnobotany, Iboga / Ibogaine, Indigenous use, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Other disciplines, Other subjects, Papers, Publications, Religious studies, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By /

Abstract

Psychoactive plants which contain hallucinogenic molecules that induce a form of altered states of consciousness (H-ASC) have been widely used during the religious rituals of many cultures throughout the centuries, while the consumption of these plants for spiritual and religious purposes is as old as human history. Some of those cultures were shaman and pagan subcultures; African native religions; Bwiti Cult; South American native religions; Amazon Cultures; Central American Cultures; Mexican subcultures; Aztec, Maya and Inca; Wiccan and witch subcultures; Satanists; American Indians; Greek and Hellenistic cultures; Sufis; Hassan Sabbah’s Hashissins; Hindu, Indian and Tibetan cultures; some of the Nordic subcultures etc. Some of the psychoactive ingredients of the plants that were used during these religious rituals were; narcotic analgesics (opium), THC (cannabis), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), ibogaine (Tabernanthe iboga), DMT (Ayahuasca and phalaris species), Peganum harmala, bufotenin, muscimol (Amanita muscaria), thujone (absinthe, Arthemisia absinthium), ephedra, mandragora, star lotus, Salvia divinorum etc. The main purposes of the practice of these plants were: spiritual healing; to contact with spirits; to contact with the souls of ancestors; to reach enlightenment (Nirvana or Satori); to become a master shaman, pagan or witch; to reach so-called-other realities, etc. Such “psychedelic-philosophical plant rituals” changed participating persons’ psychology, philosophy and personality to a great degree. In these two successive articles, the consumption of psychedelic plants during religious rituals is reviewed and it is hypothesized that the images, Figures, illusions and hallucinations experienced during these “plant trips” had a great impact on the formation and creation of many Figures, characters, creatures, archetype images that exist not only in the mythology, but also in many religions, as well, such as angels, demons, Satan, mythological creatures, gods, goddesses etc. In the Middle East and Anatolia, within many hermetic and pagan religions, Greek and Hellenic cultures psychoactive plant use was a serious part of the religious rituals, such as Dionysian rituals or Witch’s’ Sabbaths. Although the impact of the “psychedelic experience and imagination” was enormous to the configuration of many religious and mythological characters, and archetypes, this fact has been underestimated and even unnoticed by many historians and anthropologists, because of the quasi-ethical trends of “anti-drug-brain-washed Western Societies”.
Sayin, H. U. (2014). The Consumption of Psychoactive Plants in Ancient Global and Anatolian Cultures During Religious Rituals: The Roots of the Eruption of Mythological Figures and Common Symbols in Religions and Myths. NeuroQuantology, 12(2), 276-296. https://dx.doi.org/10.14704/nq.2014.12.2.753
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14 May - Psychedelics & Psychosis with Phoebe Friesen and Dirk Corstens

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