It's estimated that there are at least 20 million people in the United States who suffer from some form of an addiction. And the millions of people suffering from addictions contribute billions in cost to the healthcare system, not to mention the many lives and relationships that are ruined because of issues surrounding substance abuse. Addictions are a big drain on the current system and opioids have appeared to contribute even more problems, rather than relieve or improve addictions for most people. Many addicts who go into recovery centers and detox centers will also relapse and end up right back on the street, eventually feeling helpless after they've tried a myriad of options only to see that nothing worked for them.
With the failure of current methods to try and remedy this problem, it is no surprise that more people have gone looking for possible natural alternatives.
And one natural remedy has some folks thinking that it might just be the answer for helping addicts break their addictions to substances like coke, crack, alcohol, heroin, and more. The remedy is called ibogaine.
What Is Ibogaine?
Ibogaine is an African shrub, specifically it's an extract from Western Africa's Tabernanthe iboga shrub. And the substance is currently illegal in the United States, despite having been used for many years, being used in traditional ceremonies, and more. Many say that ibogaine might be the 'holy grail' of addiction cures and if this is true, then it could be groundbreaking for the economy and the lives of millions who are battling with some addiction to some substance or another.
Ibogaine is said to work in two ways in that it helps to eliminate the cravings associated with the addiction and it also prompts addicts to revisit their life experiences and find ways to heal, rather than trying to use drugs to cover-up some issue they might have. Some scientists have said that using this substance is like resetting the mind and it's claimed that it can help to ward off cravings associated with drug addiction urges for months after it's been consumed.
There have been several studies that have sought to investigate the claims surrounding the ability of ibogaine treatment to help with opiate addiction and a number of studies support the notion that there is benefit to be had from using the extract of this natural shrub.
Many people will affirm that their lives were turned around and that they were finally able to overcome their addictions, after turning to this natural treatment in order to try and seek healing for themselves.
One professor from the New York University School of Medicine, Kenneth Alper, has said that ibogaine appears to work on every neurotransmitter system that we currently know about. He has labeled this natural substance as one of the biggest paradigm shifts as far as addiction treatment goes. And many people are really encouraged and inspired to investigate the possibilities further, as to how much this substance could change the lives of many who are battling addictions.
Many people who will turn to this sort of treatment, are individuals who have already been through a variety of other treatment options and they haven't found any success with it. If this natural plant could be the answer to helping millions of people, improving their standard of living, and helping to possibly put an end the the billions in cost that's draining the healthcare system, then perhaps the government shouldn't insist on criminalizing it.
A number of clinical trials have already demonstrated that low doses of ibogaine can greatly reduce cravings associated with heroin use and other drug use.
Interestingly, the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, back around 1995, decided to invest about $1 million into investigating ibogaine but they later changed their mind and abandoned the project. Currently, the US DEA currently deems ibogaine to be a Schedule 1 drug, and they've said that the substance has the potential for being abused (just like sugar, alcohol, or cigarettes can be abused) and they claim that there is no medical benefit that can be had.
But let's not also forget their nonsensical rhetoric and stance on cannabis and it's alleged benefits.
Because of the criminalization surrounding it, research funding has understandably been limited and restricted. However, there have been a number of studies that have sought to investigate the claims surrounding ibogaine in other areas around the world. Preclinical research has generally been seen to support the claims that ibogaine can help drug addicts with their withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. And simple fears and concerns surrounding this unfamiliar substance, have slowed down the progress of it being able to be approved as a medication.
Pics:
Vox
Ibogaine Treatment Center
Herbalistics
The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.
Sources:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics
https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics
http://www.straight.com/article-115404/the-quest-for-the-ultimate-cure-for-addiction
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929313-900-mind-altering-drug-could-offer-life-free-of-heroin/
http://www.iceers.org/docs/science/iboga/Ibogaine%20Proceedings/ch16_Case_Studies_Lotsof.pdf
http://reset.me/story/ibogaine-the-groundbreaking-cure-for-addiction/
http://reset.me/story/controversial-psychedelic-can-cure-addiction/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23627782
Excellent post dear friend @doitvoluntarily, every day we learn something new, thank you very much for this information
I agree, this knowledge is important. I tell the people about ibogain too. I never tried it, most people never heard about it.
I did not know him, I just met him in his post. Thank you very much dear friend @doitvoluntarily for these very interesting articles that you present
nice post
Wow yes, nice post @doitvoluntarily
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Any alternative therapy is interesting to me. I've been monitoring mindvox email list for research. Ive also met a few people who've confirmed the information in this post. However im willing to try. Ive tried everything else. JMO