Ibogaine for Opiate Addiction Outcome Study Begins at Pangea Biomedics

Home , Methadone clinic, Tabernanthe iboga

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are very pleased to announce the final approval of We at MAPS our ground-breaking study examining the efficacy of ibogaine in the treatment of opiate addiction. This study officially titled, “Observational Case Series Study of the Long-Term Efficacy of Ibogaine-Assisted Therapy in Participants at Pangea Biomedics.” John Harrison, Psy.D. Candidate, has been granted approval by the Human Research Review Com- Principal Investigator mittee (the Institutional Review Board) at the California Insti- [email protected] tute of Integral Studies (CIIS). This long awaited approval allows us to begin our study at Pangea Biomedics in Playas de Tijuana, Mexico, with a start date of November 3rd, 2008. Our intention Ibogaine’s with this study is to add to the body of knowledge about ibogaine pharmacological component and to examine ibogaine’s potential as another arrow in the relieves the symptoms quiver for those that suffer from the yoke of addiction. We are of opiate withdrawal. now in the process of raising the estimated $30,000 needed to This is augmented by complete this study. If you would like to be a part of this explora- a psychological component tionFrom please West Africa join us to on the cutting-edge and make an earmarked Western Civilization that may be of donation in support of this vital work today. therapeutic significance journey. First, there is typically a visionary phase that lasts from one to four hours. to the individual Ibogaine is a naturally occurring This is followed by an introspective phase psychoactive plant alkaloid found in the receiving treatment by that typically brings an elevated mood, a root bark of the indigenous West African sense of calm and euphoria, and a distinct providing deeper insight shrub Tabernanthe Iboga. Pangea Biomed- intellectual and emotional clarity. Subjects ics administers the medicine in the form often report being able to accomplish deep into the root causes of ibogaine hydrochloride. Though our emotional and intellectual insight into knowledge of ibogaine here in the West is of the present psychological and emotional concerns. The relatively recent, the ritual eating of Iboga entire experience/journey generally lasts addictive behavior. has been a psycho-pharmacological sacra- between 24- 36 hours. Though tradition- ment in the Bwiti religion in West Africa ally not used to treat addictions, ibogaine for several centuries. Traditional shamanic has been used for a variety of somatic uses have included adolescent rites of conditions, including fertility. passage, ancestral contact, recollection of In 1962, in New York City, a young earlier life experiences–and is often char- twenty-something opiate-addicted How- acterized by oneirophrenic, or dream-like ard Lotsof, and eight addicted friends, visions, which may include symbolism of ingested a strange ‘new’ euphoric drug. It one’s present or anticipated future. There was this historic moment that unveiled the are two primary phases of an ibogaine promise of this African medicine. Remark- maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9 maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9 29

ably within days, six of the nine addicts evolution! Then I heard about ibogaine were not suffering withdrawal symptoms and several anecdotes describing amazing or craving heroin! Since that time Mr. Lot- stories of its healing capability. My natural sof has made it his life’s work to make this affinity and appreciation for psychedelics powerful medicinal tool accessible to those as teachers and allies, matched with my who would benefit from its gifts. recent experiences at the methadone clinic, In 1967 (the year LSD was made il- piqued my interest in this remarkable legal) ibogaine was classified as a Schedule medicine. Upon completion of my intern- 1 drug here in the US, making possession ship, I became aware of the astonishing a crime and preventing research into its work being undertaken at several clinics Ibogaine-assisted potential as a healing agent. As readers of and with lay, or underground, providers opiate detoxification therapy this Bulletin are aware, the fact that ibo- worldwide.Ibogaine TreatmentResearching and for investigating Addiction gaine has psychedelic components contrib- this medicine is a natural progression for is a novel uted to its systematic suppression in blind me personally and professionally. “ignore-ance” of its potential. This fear and pharmacotherapeutic resistance to alternate routes of treatment It is posited that ibogaine halts or at- treatment for addiction. is exemplified by ibogaine’ having been tenuates addiction through two processes; added to the list of banned substances by one pharmacological and one psychologi- This study is intended to the International Olympic Committee in cal. Ibogaine’s pharmacological component 1989. Having experienced Iboga person- relieves the symptoms of opiate with- gather evidence about whether ally, I can attest that it will not improve drawal. This is augmented by a psychologi- ibogaine-assisted therapy one’s performance in the pole vault or the cal component that may be of therapeutic high hurdles! The political hurdles in the significance to the individual receiving can lead to changes in ensuing years have been many. Besides treatment by providing deeper insight into the appellation ‘psychedelic’ which makes the root causes of the present addictive problematic opiate use and pharmaceutical companies nervous, there behavior. facilitate long-term recovery is relatively little financial incentive for the Evidence of ibogaine’s effectiveness development of ibogaine by the pharma- includes substantial pre-clinical litera- from opiate addiction. ceutical industry because it is isolated from ture on reduced self-administration and aMy botanical Relationship source in whichwith Ibogaineit naturally withdrawal in animals and case reports in occurs and it’s chemical structure cannot humans (Alper et al, 2001). The National be patented. Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) has given significant support to animal research, but My pre-doctoral internship took place has rejected grant applications to study ibo- at the 14th Street Methadone Maintenance gaine in humans. The U.S. Food and Drug Treatment (MMT) Clinic in Oakland, administration (FDA) has approved a Phase CA. This was a genuine belly-of-the-beast 1 dose escalation study in humans in 1993 education–I learned so much from my which has never been completed due to a patients about heroin and other opiates. I lack of funding (Alper et al, 2001). observed the stigmas associated with being Patients at Pangea Biomedics receive labeled a junkie. I witnessed the deep pain, ibogaine in a supportive setting. The spa- both emotional and physical, that drives cious and comfortable clinic is in a gated some very sensitive people to addiction. community overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Sadly, I also witnessed the inherent cyni- Patients arrive on Monday and generally cism that permeates MMT. It is well known leave for home the following Friday. Two that methadone, like heroin, is a highly ad- experienced physicians are present at all dictive substance–and we were in effect... times and patients’ safety and well being dealers! are the facility’s highest priority. The treat- Patients were given little or no en- ment protocol consists of the oral adminis- couragement to taper off or reduce their tration of ibogaine hydrochloride and other methadone dose. There was very little subsequent interventions, which include support given for personal transformation bodywork, acupuncture, naturopathy, brain or real change–patients were considered nutrition, and integration therapy. Prior to addicted for life. This contradicted all that treatment at the facility applicants must inspired me to enter the field of psycholo- undergo a thorough on-site physical ex- gy–the possibility of personal growth and amination with one of the staff physicians. 30 maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9 maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9

This exam includes an Electro Cardiogram or close friend). I will establish contact (ECG), a cell blood count (CBC) with dif- with the designated significant other to ferential, and liver panels (AST/ALT). All independently verify information regard- test results must be within normal ranges ing the participant’s substance use as part in order to receive ibogaine treatment. of screening for inclusion in the study and The majority of the staff have experienced during the one-year study period. Signifi- the ibogaine journey–some for addiction, cant others will also help to keep track of others for psycho-spiritual development. participants who may otherwise be lost Consequently,MAPS Protocol the staff have insightful un- to follow-up. Follow-up data will almost As we at MAPS derstandings of the emotional and physical exclusively be gathered by telephone since terrain patients must negotiate. Reducingpatients of Pangea the Harms Biomedics come from embark upon this unique Associatedall over North withAmerica Addiction to undergo the five- and revolutionary research– Our study will enroll 20 to 30 volun- day residential treatment. tary participants who have already quali- the first long-term study in history fied for treatment at Pangea Biomedics. All participants in this study must indicate The philosophy of Pangea Biomed- to examine the efficacy of ibogaine that they have sought and undergone other ics is grounded in the principles of the in the treatment of opiate addiction– treatments for their opiate dependence harm reduction model. Harm reduction prior to ibogaine. Ibogaine-assisted opiate essentially is a set of practical strategies we recognize that there is no detoxification therapy is a novel pharma- that reduce negative consequences of drug cotherapeutic treatment for addiction. This use by incorporating a spectrum of strate- easy solution or magic pill study is intended to gather evidence about gies from safer use, to managed use, to to solve the whether ibogaine-assisted therapy can lead abstinence. The harm reduction approach to changes in problematic opiate use and addresses conditions of use, along with international dilemma facilitate long-term recovery from opiate use itself. This implies a treatment of the addiction. whole person without judgment, rejection, of addiction. The primary research methods for or esteem-reducing labels. Abstinence- …Our research this study consist of interviews and based programs work for many people, but questionnaires conducted both pre- and can often times set an addicted person up is, however, post-administration of ibogaine. Reliable, to fail by making anything less than total well-validated, and repeatable outcome abstinence a failure. For a population who a significant first step measures were selected for this investiga- have so often been defined as “failures”, toward opening tion. Special consideration was given to the precipitous fall from the sheer cliff of measures that assess several indications abstinence can reinforce this negative self- long-closed doors of treatment success in addition to ab- image–making real healing an ultimately stinence. The measures used will be the much more difficult challenge. and shining some Addiction Severity Index Lite, the Peak The universal need and importance of meaningful light into Experience Profile, the Social Identity research into this underground medicine Questionnaire, the Subjective and Objec- is critical and obvious. According to NIDA this crucial area of inquiry. tive Opiate Withdrawal Scales, and the the cost of addiction in the US amounts to Pain and Craving Survey. over $484 billion a year! There is clearly The initial interviews and measure- an urgent demand for fresh and novel ments will take place in person while pa- approaches to the medical malaise and tients are being treated at the clinic; subse- social maelstrom that is addiction. Opiate quent phone interviews will be conducted addiction is a worldwide epidemic, result- bi-weekly the first month and then month- ing in lost income, fractured families, life- ly for one year after treatment. Participants threatening maladies, and untimely death. are required to provide me as the Principal Research and anecdotal reports suggest Investigator with the contact information that ibogaine may be effective in treating of at least one non-addicted significant dependence to other substances such as other (therapist, counselor, spouse, parent, alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamines, and nicotine, and may also affect compulsive behavior patterns not involving substance maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9 maps • volume xviii number 3 • winter 2oo8~o9 31

use or chemical dependence. The virulent and rampant nature of addiction requires new and innovative approaches to treatment that provide a holistic option toward alleviating the suffering and pain of addicted individuals and their families. As we at MAPS embark upon this unique and revolutionary research–the first long-term study in history to examine the efficacy of ibogaine in the treatment of opiate addiction–we recognize that there is no easy solution or magic pill to solve the international dilemma of addiction. NOTE: As long-time ibogaine expert and lecturer Patrick Kroupa has said, “ibogaine is a MAPS is actively seeking donations to catalyst, not a cure.” Our research is, however, a significant first step toward open- fund the ibogaine outcome study. If you ing long-closed doors and shining some meaningful light into this crucial area of are able to contribute financially to this inquiry. This past year I have had the honor of presenting and discussing our research research please contact our headquarters at protocol at several venues, including the World Psychedelic Forum in Basel, Swit- 831-336-4325, or donate online at zerland, and more recently at the Women’s Visionary Congress at Wilbur Hot Springs, www.maps.org/donate California. The excitement and enthusi- asm for this project has been palpable and promising! As Principal Investigator of this study, I want to express my gratitude to many brilliant and devoted colleagues who have collaborated and contributed with protocol development, sponsorship, encouragement, and inspiration toward making this project a reality. These stellar individuals include Ilsa Jerome Ph.D., Phillipe Lucas, Dr. Ken- neth Alper, Sandra Karpetus, Dr. David Stuckey Psy.D., Randolph Hencken M.A., Sean Kelly Ph.D., Bob Duchmann, and Rick Doblin Ph.D. I would especially like to thank MAPS Director of Operations and Clinical Research Associate Valerie Mojeiko and the Director of Pangea Biomedics Clare Wilkins for their indefatigable vigor and continuous commitment toward bringing this project to this crucial phase, at long last ...the end of the beginning.