Ibogaine Therapy What Are The Risks?

Drug addiction has become a worldwide epidemic. Although there are all sorts of therapeutic programs that provide help for addicts, many require medical intervention to help them to take control of their addiction. Ibogaine, a substance derived from the West African iboga plant, has been found to virtually \”reset\” the brains of many addicted individuals whose drugs of choice range from alcohol to opiates. Despite the fact that the reason ibogaine therapy works is relatively mysterious, it\’s been a life-saving form of drug treatment for many people.
But before embarking on any type of treatment program, it\’s important to know the potential risks. Although ibogaine drug treatment is generally thought to be a relatively safe practice, it can be potentially harmful for some people. If you\’re suffering from opiate addiction, be sure to seek out medical advice from an expert before checking in to an ibogaine clinic — and never receive treatment from anyone outside a facility. Here are the important risks of ibogaine treatment programs:

• Many patients should never use it
  Although many addicts say that the treatment they\’ve received at an ibogaine clinic has changed their lives, there are many patients who should never receive it — especially not without consulting a doctor beforehand. Those who have heart or liver problems or psychiatric conditions — diagnosed or undiagnosed — should not receive ibogaine treatment. Patients with a history of childhood heart defects, blood clots, stroke, irregular heart beat, or other conditions should be carefully examined and weigh the potential risks before embarking on ibogaine treatment. The 12 people who were known to die from ibogaine treatment likely had a heart condition or other risk factors. In addition, if you have a history of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, epilepsy, psychosis, or dementia, you should not take ibogaine. It\’s been speculated that it could lead to brain damage or exacerbate certain conditions. Although ibogaine won\’t definitively have these adverse effects, it\’s imperative you do your research prior to starting treatment.
• It\’s not a magic cure-all
  Although many addicts report that ibogaine treatment eliminated their need for drugs, it\’s not a quick fix. Nor is it a panacea, as it doesn\’t work for everyone. Ultimately, it\’s important to get several expert opinions before exploring ibogaine treatment, rather than relying on the experience of one person. It\’s a controversial treatment because the research is relatively lacking at present. Though many people swear by it, getting treatment at an ibogaine clinic is not the only step that needs to be taken to kick an addiction. Users must seek out additional therapy and abstention programs. Though it\’s thought to reset the brain, this can actually be a bad thing for experienced users. While your brain is reset to its original unaffected state, taking your usual dose could prove fatal. This is why it\’s important to get expert advice before, during, and after treatment.
• It\’s not a replacement for detox
  It\’s true that ibogaine treatment has been shown to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, but it should not be used in place of the detox process. If you have opiates in your system during ibogaine treatment (or shortly thereafter), the results could be disastrous. With long-lasting substances like methadone, it\’s important to take half-lives into account and ensure that all substances have left your system prior to taking ibogaine. The only way to ensure safety is consistent monitoring in an ibogaine clinic. Even then, do your research and make sure that the staff is knowledgeable and experienced.

Ibogaine treatment is not right for everyone, but it can help to significantly improve lives when used correctly and in conjunction with additional treatment methods. To find out more about ibogaine and whether it\’s right for your situation, seek out a trusted medical professional.