Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The Pros And Cons Of Visiting An Ibogaine Treatment Center

By Lenore Bolton


Ibogaine, also simply referred to as iboga, is a hallucinogenic drug made from a botanical called tabernanthe iboga, which is an African shrub. Initial research was conducted on the substance in the early 1960s by scientists who believed that it had potential as a treatment option for those addicted to narcotics such as heroin and cocaine. This team of medical researchers claimed that it reduced the drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms that are typically associated with detoxification. The drug must be administered at an ibogaine treatment center under close supervision.

In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 categorized the aforementioned drug as a schedule I substance. The latter means that its use is prohibited in the United States and other countries that follow the same type of scheduling for medications. The rationale behind this classification is that iboga offers no medicinal value, but is associated with potential for abuse. Those who believe the medication has significant medical value strongly disagree with the way the substance is classed.

Detoxifying from narcotics and similar substances can result in painful and highly uncomfortable withdrawal side effects for most individuals. Treatment centers that use the aforementioned controversial drug, many of which operate in Mexico, administer the medication to patients who are withdrawing from certain illegal drugs.

Proponents of ibogaine state that contrary to the opinion of certain medical professionals, the drug does not become a substitute for the substance to which the patient was addicted. This is often the case with certain treatments such as the administering of methadone to former heroin addicts. Those who tout ibogaine as a valuable treatment say that it need only be administered once to offer satisfactory results.

The standard therapeutic dose of ibogaine is approximately 650 milligrams. The initial dose is often felt for five to seven days. When this amount of time has elapsed, the patient may or may not be given a booster dose, depending on his or her progress.

Because the drug is a hallucinogen, and therefore alters the cognition and perception of the patient, it must be used under close supervision. The initial effects are typically felt within an hour, after which the user may experience up to five hours of vivid hallucinations. Patients are instructed to use this time to attempt to analyze the conditions under which they became addicted to narcotics or other types of illegal drugs.

According to research conducted in 2007, there is evidence that iboga has the ability to block the behavioral effects of certain drugs. However, ongoing research indicates that this is only the case for individuals who have not abused drugs for extended periods of time. For this reason, additional studies are necessary in order to further evaluate the information found in the initial research.

No one should attempt to self-medicate or oversee their own treatment. In addition, after one's initial detoxification at an ibogaine treatment center, it is essential to arrange follow-up care. Anyone who suspects that he or she has a drug addiction or dependency should seek professional help as soon as possible.




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