What is ibogaine?
Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid. An alkaloid is a class of organic compound which contains at least one nitrogen molecule, and can have measurable effects on human physiology. Drugs such as morphine and quinine and poisons such as atropine and strychnine are alkaloids. Indole alkaloids are a class of alkaloids containing a certain common chemical structure. Indole alkaloids often exhibit powerful effects in human biology including anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, analgesic, hypotensive, anticholinesterase, antiplatelet, antidiarrheal and spasmolytic.
Ibogaine is a powerful medicine.
Where does ibogaine come from?
Ibogaine is one of 12 alkaloids found in the root bark of a plant called iboga which is native to central West Africa, primarily in Gabon. Ibogaine can be extracted from other plants through various processes, it has been produced by bio-synthesis and fully synthesized.
Iboga has at least 1000 year history as a sacramental tool used as a right of passage by the Pygmy forest dwellers of Gabon, and more recently by the Bwiti, a spiritual movement within Gabon.
What plant does ibogaine come from?
Ibogaine extracted from the Iboga root bark comes with some cultural and sustainability issues as well as potential medical complications given the difficulty of consistent production of the key alkaloid. The 11 other alkaloids in the iboga root bark likely also have medicinal and potentially psychoactive properties. There may be some beneficial co-effects of these compounds. Local groups are working to protect this cultural treasure from Gabon to benefit the people and protect the resource for future generations.
Ibogaine can be extracted through relatively simple chemical processes from Voacanga Africana, a small tree native to tropical Africa. Voacanga is another significant source of medicine, Africana is traditionally used to treat a myriad of diseases including malaria, worm infestation, amoebiasis, ulcers, pain, cardiovascular conditions, depression, fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, gynaecological conditions, delayed labour, kidney conditions, asthma and convulsions,
Ibogaine was first fully synthesized in 1957 with addition developments in the research in 1966 and 1999. Most recently researchers at UC Davis have developed a fully synthetic ibogaine molecule in few steps from readily available commercial chemicals. This breakthrough should aid in bringing a scalable solution to the public, and create a basis for extended research and creation of ibogaine like molecules or analogs which can improve the efficacy and decrease the risks associated with the native molecule.
Inexpensive and plentiful supply of ibogaine is needed to address the massive problem of addiction in western society.