Ibogaine in the treatment of substance dependence.
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from Tabernanthe iboga, a plant used in initiatory rituals in West Central Africa. Largely because of ibogaines status as a Schedule I substance in the U.S., the development of ibogaines use in the treatment of drug addiction took place outside conventional clinical and medical settings. This article reviews the history of ibogaines use in the treatment of drug addiction, and discusses progress made towards, and obstacles blocking, the establishment of controlled clinical trials of ibogaines efficacy. Preclinical research has generally supported anecdotal claims that ibogaine attenuates withdrawal symptoms and reduces drug cravings. Concerns about ibogaines safety, as well as a dearth of solid data from human studies, have hampered progress in its development as an approved medication. This article outlines major findings from preclinical studies, discusses concerns about ibogaines safety, and details previous and ongoing research on ibogaines use as an anti-addictive treatment for humans.