How Ibogaine Works

Ibogaine and it's studies have had a renewed interest in the past decades due to the interest in effects that ibogaine has on cessation of drug addiction. It has been proven in pre-clinical trials to reduce self-administration of cocaine, morphine, and amphetamines. It is said that ibogaine breaks patterns of addiction, whether the addiction in question is physical or emotional. Ibogaine is also still believed to provide insight and guidance into a person's life.

Recent studies have shown that ibogaine and its primary metabolite interact with numerous neuroreceptors and neurotransporters within the cellular networks that modulate the activity of dopaminergic-dependent and independent circuits. The multi-site actions of ibogaine suggest that simultaneous modulation of more than one neural mechanisms may therefore be an effective pharmacological treatment approach.

Ibogaine's actions are reported to reduce dopamine concentrations in the body. This is proven by the presence of dopamine metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA) in increased amounts after ibogaine administration. This action of ibogaine is what is thought to reverse the affects of certain abusive and highly addictive drugs. Namely, cocaine, morphine, amphetamines and nicotine. All of these drugs act upon dopaminergic systems and they will stimulate dopamine production in the body. Ibogaine is thought to reverse this process by antagonizing dopaminergic systems. Ibogaine is also thought to reduce addiction because it can inhibit naloxone which will precipitate the blockade of NMDA channels. Ibogaine can readily affect serotonergic transmission in the brain, and this has been observed. But once again the mechanisms of action on the many serotonergic receptors are complex and not completely understood. We can see that the actions in the body are not completely understood.

Most interestingly, ibogaine is proven to inhibit self-administration of cocaine in rats. In fact, one dose of ibogaine would decrease cocaine consumption in 5 days by 60-80%. Ibogaine was also found to lower the self-administration of morphine and alcohol.

Psychologically, ibogaine is capable of producing visions and hallucinations at high doses. It has been established that ibogaine effects the central nervous system in a variety of ways. Many studies have been conducted regarding the behavioral effects of ibogaine on drug-dependent patients. Ibogaine was found to produce no significant neurobehavioral impairments. Acute effects included mild tremors and a dramatic resurgence of repressed memories. These visions sometimes lasted up to 8 hours and eventually subsided into a 24-hour state of relaxation. Some patients also experience mild insomnia after the treatment, but this did not effect their sensorium (sensations).