Ibogaine Purity

Importance of Ibogaine Purity Standards

Ibogaine is showing remarkable promise as a treatment for addictions, particularly in aiding detoxification and reducing withdrawal symptoms. Its efficacy in treatment of heroin, cocaine or opiate addictions makes its therapeutic potential particularly attractive. Ibogaine is a rain forest alkaloid that is extracted from the Tabernanthe iboga root. Indigenous people of West Central Africa used it to combat fatigue, hunger, and thirst, and as part of sacred rituals. The pharmacological properties of Ibogaine began to be researched 100 years ago, and it was marketed in France until 1970 under the trade name Lambarene, used to promote a sense of well-being and to treat fatigue and depression. Although some limited trials of Ibogaine in addiction detoxification treatment were conducted in the 1950s, it was not until the 1980s that Ibogaine's anti-addiction properties were defined and patented. Anecdotal reports of Ibogaine's ability to reduce cocaine and heroin cravings and opiate withdrawal symptoms has caused interest to grow in Ibogaine as a detoxification and drug dependence treatment. During 1993 approved clinical trials were conducted under FDA approval at the University of Miami School of Medicine, but were soon suspended due to lack of funding. Limited research on Ibogaine has continued in Europe and in Panama, and some of the most current research was primarily done in St. Kitts in the Caribbean. Preliminary results in treatment of heroin and methadone withdrawal are favorable, suggesting that in addition to enhancing mood, Ibogaine detoxifies and decreases post-withdrawal cravings.

Educating on the importance of Ibogaine Purity

Self-help networks and a medical subculture around Ibogaine have grown, and it is available for purchase in many locations on the Internet and elsewhere, often accompanied by the claim that it will cure addiction quickly and with no withdrawal. Self-treatment with Ibogaine, however, is very risky, primarily due to the problem of Ibogaine purity. Medical research conducted with Ibogaine uses medical/research grade Ibogaine, which is 99.5% pure, and the only sure way to replicate the addiction treatment results seen is to use 99.5% Ibogaine purity. No human research has been conducted on grey or black market Ibogaine of lesser purity, meaning that results from its use could vary or be dangerous. Research grade Ibogaine that meets the 99.5% standard of Ibogaine purity is expensive and is only sold to medical facilities and researchers. Internet sellers and underground marketers are not selling 99.5% pure Ibogaine, of course, because the high cost makes it unprofitable and it is not easily available. However, the potential of Ibogaine in treatment of addictions and withdrawal symptoms has enticed many people to purchase it via the Internet or other sources. Although a major risk factor in using Ibogaine purchased this way is that its ibogaine purity is far less than 99.5%, there are other important considerations. To be profitable, black market drugs are usually produced under low standards of production and contaminants may be present, further compromising their Ibogaine purity. Doses and potency levels are unreliable. In addition to the likelihood of the Ibogaine not being of 99.5% purity, there is another extremely important reason to avoid self-treatment. Many individuals with substance abuse problems rightly fear going through detox, so Ibogaine's ability to manage withdrawal symptoms is very appealing. However, it is essential that the detox process be medically managed because serious consequences can occur in the absence of medical monitoring and pre- and post-medical examinations. Self-administration of Ibogaine that is not 99.5% pure can cause ataxia, which is difficulty standing or walking, and heart irregularities that can lead to cardiac events, such as ventricular ectopy, prolonged QT intervals, sinus arrhythmia, and ventricular tachycardia. Ibogaine for addiction treatment, detoxification and managing withdrawal is showing great promise. To achieve the desirable results seen in research trials, however, it needs to be of medical grade 99.5% Ibogaine purity, and it should only used under the care of a qualified medical professional with a monitored treatment plan.