Treatment

**Treatment**  Ibogaine's principle use is its facilitation of a painless detox period for drug addicts. The drug has also been recognized for its removal of the effects of conditioning in addicts and its promotion of long-term drug abstinence. While ibogaine may represent a major medical breakthrough, there is a medium level of risk with ibogaine treatment. Ingesting too much of the substance or suffering from liver or heart problems are dangers associated with the ibogaine treatment. Treatment patients have reported experiencing muscle tremors, spasms, and feelings of internal energy shifts.

Ibogaine treatment centres are located all around the world including Northern and Central America, Europe, Middle East, Australia, U.K., and North America. The treatment is unlicensed in other countries and illegal in the U.S. Ibogaine treatment costs range anywhere from $1500 to $3500. This includes a five day treatment program and two administrations of the drug. Clinics screen for heart problems and other medical conditions that might jeopardize the treatment. They also give patients small daily doses of iboga for two weeks after their initial treatment.

The effect of ibogaine last between 15 and 36 hours, depending on the given dose and the individual’s metabolism. Depending on the duration of the addiction and the substance of abuse there can be some minor withdrawal signs in comparison to what a patient would have to suffer without medication. Former addicts may experience some insomnia after the treatment for up to three weeks. Treatment involves physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions. Forty minutes after ingestion there is a buzzing in the ears, dream like visions, dancing lights, and flashing of images, symbolic or actual representations of current subconscious themes. Two to four hours later the brain will reset its biochemistry which is described as the first phase. After this, dizziness, ataxia, and the inability to sleep will occur and last as long as 36 hours. Ibogaine breaks down in the liver into a substance called Nor-ibogaine. Nor-ibogaine continues to be active on the opiate receptors for several weeks to several months after a single dose treatment procedure.

The ibogaine Therapy House in Vancouver, B.C., opened almost a year ago. The clinic’s founder, Mark Emery, is funding the free clinic with proceeds from his successful hemp seed business. “Ibogaine stops the physical addiction without causing withdrawal,” he says, “and it deals with the underlying psychological issues that lead to drug use.”(2) Emery notes that nobody has so far criticized the project, and he is seeking support from local government.