Risks, Warnings, Contraindications, and Safety Considerations for Iboga/Ibogaine Treatment

WARNING: IBOGA/IBOGAINE IS AN ILLEGAL SCHEDULE I SUBSTANCE IN THE UNITED STATES, PURSUANT TO 21 U.S.C. § 812(c), Schedule I(c)(8)(2012). AWAKE.NET DOES NOT ENCOURAGE OR CONDONE THE USE OF THIS SUBSTANCE WHERE IT IS AGAINST ANY LAW OR REGULATION OR IF IT IS DONE IN A WAY THAT DOES NOT MINIMIZE RISK FACTORS. HOWEVER, WE UNDERSTAND THAT ILLEGAL DRUG USE DOES OCCUR AND BELIEVE THAT PROVIDING RESPONSIBLE EDUCATION AND HARM REDUCTION INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT TO HELP PEOPLE STAY SAFE. FOR THESE REASONS, OUR COMMUNICATIONS EMPHASIZE THE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE USE OF IBOGA/IBOGAINE FOR THOSE WHO DECIDE TO USE THE SUBSTANCE. AWAKE.NET STRONGLY ENCOURAGES THAT THE USE OF IBOGA/IBOGAINE BE DONE WITHIN A LEGAL, TRADITIONAL, OR MEDICAL CONTEXT.

Ibogaine is a psychoactive compound found in several different plants, most commonly the Tabernathe iboga found in parts of Africa. It has been used traditionally by people in certain regions of West Africa for thousands of years, where it is used for its medicinal and psychoactive properties. In the Western world, iboga/ibogaine is becoming popular as an effective treatment for addiction and withdrawal symptoms. It has been used to help people addicted to substances such as opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol, and other addictions.

Contraindications

Use of Iboga/Ibogaine may affect your health. As such, if you intend to use iboga you must be assessed for fitness, especially related to any potential heart conditions or family history of heart conditions because iboga/ibogaine has been linked to fatalities related to pre-existing heart conditions. The treatment protocol of a clinical provider may last several days, involving an initial screening, the administration of ibogaine, and aftercare during post-experience to integrate and reflect.

The best ibogaine treatment centers adhere to the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance’s  Clinical Guidelines, or other form of competent medical guidance. It is best to check for yourself what the guidelines and protocols are for any potential treatment center because your health and safety should be a priority.

Heart Risks

It’s important to know that Iboga/Ibogaine is one of the world’s most dangerous psychedelics and should not be administered at home or without continuous clinical monitoring by trained medical professionals. A relatively small dose of Ibogaine is known to cause a temporary change in the way the heart operates. Although normally this isn’t a big problem, it can be fatal under certain circumstances. Mixing ibogaine with other medications or psychedelics or with a preexisting heart condition is associated with a significant risk of cardiac arrest.

It is crucial that patients with childhood congenital heart defects, prolonged QT intervals, a history of heart failure, enlarged heart, any history of blood clots, stroke, transient ischemic attacks, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or irregular heart rhythms do not attempt to take ibogaine. Other pre-existing heart conditions should be carefully examined and a risk/benefit analysis taken into consideration. Additionally, even people who have been screened for these risk factors have been known to suddenly die from a dose of ibogaine.

Clinical Standards

You should always be screened for health conditions that could be risk factors with ibogaine treatment. Any current addiction profile should be carefully considered by a medical professional when considering iboga/ibogaine treatment. Ideally you will be subject to a number of tests of cardiac health, including an EKG and blood tests.

The medical professionals at the treatment center must be aware of the risks of combining other drugs with iboga/ibogaine, including opiates and alcohol. If you are undergoing acute withdrawal from a substance, there are lots of factors to be considered. Your lead medical professional should be aware of these factors including the risk of accidental overdose if you are on a stable opioid regimen. Clinical Guidelines should detail all the drug interactions your therapists should be aware of.

You should always be given a degree of psychological preparation before the experience. Ideally this will set up your goals and expectations. You will also have to give your informed consent — make sure you are fully aware of the risks and treatment method.

During the course of the iboga/ibogaine treatment you should be in a comfortable and relaxed setting. A therapist or guide should be present at all times but should not disrupt the peace and quiet. It is generally considered that iboga/ibogaine treatment is most effective when you are allowed to reflect inwardly for the entire experience. Eye masks, earplugs, and the option of music should be offered to you. The surroundings should be minimalist and relaxing, such as soft light and comfortable bedding. Music should be non-verbal and preferably ambient.

Ideally, staff should be trained in basic first aid, and the treatment center should be within 15 minutes of a medical center or hospital. As a precautionary measure, a heart monitor should be attached to you during the session. You should be monitored by the center staff for at least 72 hours following your dose. This includes occasional tests of blood pressure and heart rate.

Post Treatment

While iboga/ibogaine interrupts addiction most people will relapse if they don’t have a therapist or coach facilitating both a pre-care and aftercare integration plan. During the three months post-treatment, the compound nor-ibogaine is still working in your system allowing an environment that promotes the radical lifestyle and character changes that are necessary for success.

You should be directed toward other forms of support or therapy that will help you continue your journey towards an addiction-free life or continue your personal development in the most effective way possible. If your clinic does not offer or recommend pre-care and aftercare options, you may browse the awake.net Directory to find them.

Overall, your experience at an ibogaine treatment center should be safe, comfortable, and guided. You should feel well-supported by a team of well-trained people who are first and foremost concerned with your safety. If performed correctly, your ibogaine treatment will have a dramatic positive influence on your life. 

To your health,
awake.net

The information presented by this website is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to promote the use of iboga/ibogaine as a therapeutic treatment for any disorder where it is in violation of any law or regulation and every prospective user should use caution and carefully review and consider all safety considerations such as those provided at: ibogainealliance.org/ibogaine/therapy/safety/.

While we believe that the information presented here warrants further clinical observation and research and may have efficacy in the treatment of opioid addiction, we present it solely to inform and to educate people interested in knowing more about ibogaine and the possibility that the state of scientific inquiry of this topic may produce a cure for opioid addiction.

Liability

Awake.net does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, product or process disclosed by this site.

Endorsement

Awake.net does not endorse or recommend any commercial products, processes, or services that contain ibogaine. The views and opinions of Awake.net should not be taken to reflect the opinion that any person should use or access Ibogaine therapy except in a lawful and clinically acceptable manner which minimizes health risks.

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