We know that for many people, the idea of a mysterious African root which can heal a seemingly intractable problem sounds like a huckster asking for thousands of dollars in exchange for magic beans. Particularly for addicts who have repeatedly tried and failed to overcome their affliction with residential treatment, therapy, and the support of doctors, families, and friends, the idea that a plant will enable them to overcome a stubbornly persistent condition appears patently absurd. But we are also firmly convinced that our successful patients all began their journeys back to health by overcoming these doubts and reservations. That’s why today, we offer you a skeptic’s guide to ibogaine therapy.
How Will A Drug Help Me Stop Using Drugs?
This is a very common concern, and many abstinence based treatment providers would argue strongly against ibogaine treatment. Let’s begin with the argument that ibogaine must be viewed as a drug. As every patient who has ever used ibogaine will verify, the state it induces is essentially a waking dream which lasts for 4-8 hours, followed by a period of profound contemplation which can carry on for longer than a day. Ibogaine differs from most drugs of abuse, as the oneirogenic state it induces is generally harrowing, exhausting, and inward looking. You won’t have a euphoric feeling, but you will explore the deepest recesses of your own mind, including past-trauma, your relationship with yourself and the substances you consume, and the subconscious processes that leave you trapped in addiction. Many users describe the experience as being shattered into a million pieces, and then coming back together as a stronger, healthier person.
There is also scientific evidence which has discovered and explained some of the neurological reasons for ibogaine’s ability to heal the addicted. Although its interactions with the central nervous system are complex and difficult to isolate, scientific research has shown that ibogaine resets levels and receptors of dopamine in the brain to pre-addiction levels. Dopamine is immensely important in the brain’s creation of sensations of reward, pleasure, and motivation, and since addiction trains the brain to release dopamine in response to the administration of whatever substance you’re addicted to, you can rest assured that this will help you conquer addiction.
What If Ibogaine Doesn’t Have The Advertised Effects On Me?
Most accounts of ibogaine treatment relate the effects of flood dosing, which is essentially an overwhelming amount of ibogaine that induces an oneirogenic state. At Tabula Rasa Retreat we are very cautious about the amount of ibogaine we administer, taking into account the health, size, previous drug use, and vital organ function of our patients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that you’ll experience the most profound effects of the substance, and we have had clients who were disappointed with their experience. But, the anti-addiction and mental-health benefits which ibogaine can bestow will still be created in the absence of flood-dosing and intense visions. We take our responsibility to guarantee your safety very seriously, and flood dosing isn’t always safe.
I’ve Heard Ibogaine Can Kill Me
It is true that ibogaine can have fatal side-effects, particularly for individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. Articles like this one, from the UK’s Guardian newspaper, highlight the risks, while also acknowledging the underlying truth, that the vast majority of deaths and adverse consequences come from self-administration or clinics that neglect the safety of their patients. With proper screening procedures, reliable emergency protocols, and constant heart rate monitoring, we believe that the risk of death can be reduced to zero. As the ibogaine legalization movement gains steam, we believe that government regulation can end the problems caused by shady, profit motivated clinics, self-administration, and dangerously misguided use of this remarkable substance.
Ibogaine Treatment Is Outrageously Expensive
As mentioned above, taking appropriate precautions for the health and safety of patients is an absolute necessity. If you find what looks like a bargain price, it’s likely that corners are being cut somewhere. At Tabula Rasa Retreat we have a medically trained staff, an in-house doctor, and medical technology for monitoring ECG/EKG and testing organ function, in addition to a comfortable, resort style atmosphere. Unfortunately, none of this is cheap and it needs to be supported by the fees we charge. We would urge everyone considering ibogaine treatment not to select potentially fatal options in order to save money. It simply isn’t worth it.
We would also suggest that it’s entirely likely that finding timely treatment in a comfortable setting will be just as expensive as using ibogaine responsibly. With luxury rehab centers in Europe and North America charging as much as $80,000 US, ibogaine therapy may seem economical in comparison.
Risks And Rewards
Perhaps if you’re making your first attempt to break free from addiction, it might be wiser to try a conventional course of treatment first. Conventional modalities work for some addicts, and it could save you some money, and eliminate some of the risks of ibogaine use. We certainly wouldn’t argue with you if you chose that option. But for those with stubbornly persistent addictions, we’d ask, what have you got to lose? Opioid addiction in particular is far riskier than taking your chances with ibogaine (which also is less likely to result in fatalities than methadone), and over the long term your addiction will cost you far more than the treatment. At Tabula Rasa Retreat we have seen many, many patients marvel at how an affliction they thought would plague them for the remainder of their lives was conquered with the aid of this remarkable plant. If addiction has left you hopelessly lost, it might be time to take the plunge! If you have any further questions about ibogaine treatment, we’ll be more than happy to answer them. Get in touch today!
For further information visit www.tabularasaretreat.com or call PT +351 965 751 649 UK +44 7961 355 530