A Mixed-Method Analysis of Persisting Effects Associated with Positive Outcomes Following Ibogaine Detoxification

Abstract

We examined persisting effects, self-perceived challenges, and potential benefits associated with positive outcomes following ibogaine detoxification using data collected as part of a larger online retrospective study of 73 patients who received treatment for chronic opioid use in Mexico between 2012 and 2015. A mixed-methods design was used comparing treatment responders versus non-responders, as well as content coding of themes from open-ended questions. Most participants reported positive persisting effects of ibogaine detoxification (e.g., enhanced personal sense of gratitude and authenticity, and meaning and appreciation for life). Compared to non-responders, treatment responders endorsed greater persisting changes in their ability to tolerate difficult/painful feelings, capacity for coping with stress, and reduced unhealthy anger. Treatment responders reported greater change in subjective levels of inner peace, joy, feelings of love/openheartedness, and experiences of sacredness in life. Qualitative analyses revealed that treatment responders reported a heightened sense of spiritual awareness and greater connection to their intra-/interpersonal relationships after ibogaine detoxification. Notable challenges of ibogaine detoxification included psychological and health-related difficulties during treatment and challenges with post-treatment integration. Findings highlight the persisting effects associated with positive response to ibogaine detoxification and possible post-treatment needs (i.e., more integration/aftercare resources). Future research using rigorous experimental designs is needed.

A systematic literature review of clinical trials and therapeutic applications of ibogaine

“…Hence, we assessed for eligibility 33 fulltext articles, and of those, we included nine. We excluded eight articles due to the absence of clinical data (Barber et al, 2020;Blessing et al, 2020;Schellekens et al, 2016) or redundant information (Alper et al, 2000;Calvey et al, 2020;Davis et al, 2018;Lotsof & Alexander, 2001;Mash, 2018). One record had not been published (Bastiaans, 2004).…”

A sacred plant of neuronal effect: the use of ibogaine in addiction treatments in Brazil

“…In fact, only eight of the studies collected data on the period after treatment. Of these, six were online surveys or retrospective studies (Alper, Beal, and Kaplan 2001;Davis et al 2018;Heink, Katsikas, and Lange-Altman 2017;Schenberg et al 2014;Sheppard 1994), and two were 12-month follow-up studies with opioid-dependent patients (Davis et al 2018;Noller, Frampton, and Yazar-Klosinski 2018).…”

“…2014; Sheppard 1994; Brown and Alper 2018; Davis et al. 2017; 2018; Heink, Katsikas, and Lange‐Altman 2017; Malcolm, Polanco, and Barsuglia 2018; Mash 2018; Noller, Frampton, and Yazar‐Klosinski 2018). These studies, however, have focused mainly on the effects of ibogaine on opioid dependence.…”

Psychedelics, Mystical Experiences, and Meaning Making: A Renegotiation Process With the Challenges of Existence

“…Although PAT may take place in as few as three sessions, it more typically requires between 9 and 12 weeks and consists of one or two drug administration sessions (Carhart-Harris et al, 2016;Rucker et al, 2018). It is also being researched with other classic and nontraditional psychedelic drugs and for other mental health and substance use disorders (Danforth, 2019;Davis et al, 2018;Illingworth et al, 2021;Winkelman et al, 2014). Frameworks such as the one provided here may assist in further developing approaches to PAT that may be useful in reducing the anxiety surrounding the letting-go process and promoting more intense, less challenging mystical experiences (Belser et al, 2017;Roseman et al, 2018).…”