A phenomenological analysis of the subjective experience elicited by ibogaine in the context of a drug dependence treatment
This interview study (n=22) analyzed the subjective experiences associated with ibogaine treatment for substance dependence, and found both similarities and differences to effects reported for classic psychedelics.
Authors
- Luiz Tófoli
- Draulio Silveira
- Eduardo Schenberg
Published
Abstract
Objective
This report documents the phenomenology of the subjective experiences of 22 patients with substance-related disorders who were involved in a treatment combining cognitive-behavioral therapy and hospital sessions with ibogaine in Brazil.
Methods
Participants underwent a one-to-one semi-structured interview exploring the subjective effects of ibogaine. We employed interpretative phenomenological analysis to identify relevant phenomenological categories, including physical sensations, perceptual (visual, auditory, and olfactory), emotional, cognitive, and spiritual. Participants also compared ibogaine with other drugs used in life, including psychedelics like ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, and lysergic acid diethylamide.
Results
The findings reveal that the subjective experience with ibogaine has similarities with other psychedelic substances, but also important differences. These include very strong and unpleasant physical effects as well as, at least in this patient population, a very difficult and challenging experience.
Conclusions
Overall, the descriptions involve heightened memory retrieval, specially related to drug abuse and the perception of one’s own future with or without drug use. Strong perceptual phenomena, especially dreamlike visions, were commonly reported. Based on Revonsuo’s evolutionary hypothesis for the function of dreams and of previous suggestions that ibogaine has oneiric properties, we suggest the subjective experience of drug-dependent patients elicited by ibogaine may be framed as simulations of threat and danger.
Research Summary of 'A phenomenological analysis of the subjective experience elicited by ibogaine in the context of a drug dependence treatment'
Introduction
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid from Tabernanthe iboga that has drawn attention for its purported capacity to alleviate opioid withdrawal and reduce craving. Camlin and colleagues frame the study against rising opioid-related harms and a growing, albeit incomplete, empirical literature suggesting ibogaine and its metabolite noribogaine may modulate neural circuits implicated in addiction. They note safety concerns and a stalled formal research programme, which have contributed to an informal ‘‘underground’’ treatment network and a need for deeper qualitative understanding of the subjective ibogaine experience in people seeking opioid detoxification. This study set out to characterise the lived, subjective experiences of individuals who underwent ibogaine treatment for opioid dependence, using a phenomenological approach to identify commonalities and emergent themes. The investigators intended to explore how the ibogaine experience affects withdrawal, craving, perceptual phenomena, bodily effects, and shifts in outlook or self-perception, with the aim of informing future treatment protocols and research directions.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Compounds
- Topics
- Authors
- APA Citation
Schenberg, E. E., de Castro Comis, M. A., Alexandre, J. F. M., Tófoli, L. F., Chaves, B. D. R., & da Silveira, D. X. (2017). A phenomenological analysis of the subjective experience elicited by ibogaine in the context of a drug dependence treatment. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 1(2), 74-83. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.01.2017.007
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Ona, G., Reverte, I., Rossi, G. N. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)
Godes, M., Lucas, J., Vermetten, E. · Frontiers in Psychiatry (2023)
Forstmann, M., Kettner, H. S., Sagioglou, C. et al. · Journal of Psychopharmacology (2023)
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González, J., Cavelli, M., Castro-Zaballa, S. et al. · ACS Pharmacology and Translational Science (2021)
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Davis, A. K., Renn, E., Windham-Herman, A. M. et al. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2018)
Schenberg, E. E. · Frontiers in Pharmacology (2018)
Camlin, T. J., Eulert, D., Horvath, A. T. et al. · Journal of Psychedelic Studies (2018)
Malcolm, B., Polanco, M., Barsuglia, J. P. · Journal of Psychoactive Drugs (2018)
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