Ibogaine Uncovered

Dr. Gül Dölen, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University. In her lab, her team focuses on how the brain enables social behaviors through basic neurobiological processes such as neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. Dölen has led several headline-making studies in the psychedelic field, including one in 2018 that involved giving MDMA to octopuses, and a more recent study that revealed psychedelics can reopen the “critical period” in the brain.

What we discuss:

• How Dr. Dölen became interested in studying psychedelics after focusing on learning and memory as well as the pathogenesis of autism

• The study that turned things around: why study the effects of psychedelics in an evolutionarily distant species like the octopus?

• What giving octopuses MDMA revealed about their normally solitary behavior

• The implications in the world of psychedelic science after studying their effects on this kind of animal

• Defining critical periods: What are they? What are the benefits of experiencing a critical period?

• Dr. Dölen’s hypothesis: Could psychedelics be the “master key” to reopening critical periods?

• Which drugs are best at reopening critical periods? Where does ibogaine stand?

• Are there any risks associated with experiencing an abundance of critical periods?

• The problem with the word ‘plasticity’

Why it’s important: 

Dr. Dölen’s pioneering research–both the study of MDMA in octopuses and her more recent work on unlocking critical periods–allows us to look at psychedelic drugs in different ways: in evolutionarily distant species with entirely different brain structures, and as “master keys” that could potentially unlock those periods. While there aren’t many studies that put different psychedelic drugs on a spectrum of efficacy, her work shows that among MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine, ibogaine leads the way when it comes to opening critical periods – a piece of information that (hopefully) encourages more scientists in the psychedelic space to study this powerful medicine. 

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This episode is a little different. Join host Amanda Siebert for an ibogaine-focused recap of the 2023 MAPS Psychedelic Science conference. This episode features audio clips from the closing ceremony featuring Norma Lotsof, and an in-person interview with David Nassim, the co-director of Blessings of the Forest.

Topics of discussion:

• three ongoing ibogaine studies and the researchers behind them

• Lucy Walker’s latest film, Of Night and Light: The Story of Iboga and Ibogaine, and the (long overdue) recognition of Norma Lotsof

• the role of veterans in relation to psychedelic policy

• efforts in Kentucky to study ibogaine for opioid use disorder

• the implications of increased ibogaine use in North America for communities in Gabon (where iboga is harvested)

• the important work of the non-profit organization Blessings of the Forest

Why it’s important: 

Amanda’s mission in attending Psychedelic Science 2023 was to learn as much as she could about where ibogaine is at, not just from a medical or political standpoint, but from a cultural one, too. Tune in to hear her relay knowledge from experts who have been critical to the support we see for ibogaine treatment and therapy, and from advocates who are doing the challenging work of ensuring that this medicine is harvested and used in a sustainable way.

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David Bronner is the CEO – that’s Cosmic Engagement Officer – of Dr. Bronner’s, a fifth-generation soap maker, and a board member of the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies. At the helm of the company started by his grandfather in 1948, David is a leader in the fight for GMO labeling, industrial hemp farming in the United States, high-bar organic and fair trade standards, fair minimum wage, and drug policy reform. 

What we discuss:

• How a profound psychedelic experience took David from an apolitical college graduate and set him on the path to becoming a counter cultural thought leader

• I ask him What it means to be passionate about “the responsible integration of psychedelic medicine into  American culture” – especially within the capitalistic framework within which we exist

• Dr. Bronner being the first company in the U.S. to offer ketamine-assisted therapy as part of employee health coverage

• How David found iboga through his friend and former Navy SEAL Marcus Capone

• What iboga/ibogaine can do for the veteran population 

• Will we see the mainstreaming of ibogaine like we have with psilocybin?

• What David’s favorite integration tools are

• Parallels between the overharvesting of certain plant medicines and industrial agriculture

Why it’s important: 

Given all the ongoing evil in the world, it can be easy to feel swallowed up by capitalism – to feel stuck, hopeless, and afraid for the future. My conversation with David reminded me that even within an ill-structured system, it takes just a few people in positions of leadership – people like David and David’s father and grandfather –  to spark change and inspire more holistic business practices, and ultimately, more holistic ways of living. 

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Dr. Deborah Mash is a pioneering researcher of ibogaine and one of the world’s foremost experts on the drug. She is a professor (emeritus) of neurology and molecular and cellular pharmacology at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and the founder and CEO of DemeRx, a company developing treatments for opioid use disorder. 

What we discuss:

• How Dr. Mash first became interested in ibogaine, including her connection to Howard Lotsof, an early ibogaine advocate

• The structure of the ibogaine molecule and what makes it unique from other psychedelics

• Dr. Mash’s early research: the first clinical studies of ibogaine in humans

• Noribogaine: what it is and what it does 

• Ibogaine fatalities: is everyone who takes it is at equal risk of death?

• How far have we come in terms of reframing our view of substance use disorder?

• If ibogaine was rescheduled, what could the future of treatment look like?

Why it’s important: 

In the excitement of the psychedelic renaissance, it can feel like all of this is “new.” It’s often said that there isn't enough research to support the use of ibogaine in a clinical setting, but Dr. Mash’s work is part of a growing body of evidence that proves otherwise. Reconciling her work and the stories you’ve heard on this show with the fact that ibogaine is still a Schedule I substance in the United States – meaning it has no medical value and a high potential for abuse – is hard to do. Understanding and working to change drug policy through research is a long game. We’re lucky that an expert like Dr. Mash is staying on the field.

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Caroline Lee is a death doula, therapist, and photographer based in Oakland, California, where she is currently training to become a somatic psychologist and psychedelic therapist. She had the opportunity to receive ibogaine treatment about eight months ago. 

What we discuss:

• What is a death doula? What does it mean to be in relationship with death, and why is this an important relationship to consider?

• How Caroline envisions psychedelics fitting into our rituals around death, if laws were changed and psychedelics were available at end-of-life for people suffering from palliative anxiety

• The potential applications of ibogaine for palliative anxiety and more, from a therapist’s perspective

• Should therapists be required to take psychedelics if they want to offer psychedelic-assisted therapy?

• How ibogaine helped Caroline process the grief she experienced after a divorce that marked the end of a 16-year relationship 

• What death and the end of relationships have in common

• What Caroline’s work as a doula and a therapist have taught her about the role of grief

Why it’s important: 

You’ve heard it said before but I feel like it needs to be said more often: death is a part of life – and this conversation really showed me that talking about it openly isn’t morbid or negative or inherently bad in any way - it’s a way for us to stay more connected to the present moment. Feeling into the grief that we feel when someone dies, or when a relationship ends, expands our capacity for emotion – and using psychedelics including ibogaine can allow us to not only come to terms with those emotions, but arrive at a feeling of peace around our own mortality. 

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Troy Casey is a holistic health practitioner and life coach who has spent the last 20 years helping people to eat, move, and feel better. Known as Certified Health Nut on YouTube and Instagram, Troy is an authority on longevity and leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. He’s also the author of Ripped at 50: A Journey to Self Love.

What we discuss:

• Troy’s reason for undergoing ibogaine treatment. As someone who lives a very healthy lifestyle, I ask the obvious question: why might someone like Troy seek out ibogaine? 

• Social media and vulnerability: is there a difference between what people see on social media, and what’s going on in the background? 

• Troy’s goal of Finding balance in a world where so much of what we consume works against our physical and mental health

• How ibogaine has helped him “get out of his own way”

• How anger has manifested in Troy’s life, and what might be at the root of it

• Creating space for anger while learning to shed bravado and “toxic” masculinity 

Why it’s important: 

In a world where we’re being more encouraged to feel our emotions, anger is one we still have trouble with. Anger or rage issues are incredibly common, affecting about 10 percent of Americans pre-covid – and after we’ve all suffered an extended period of isolation, the feelings we’ve suppressed are increasingly coming out in violent ways. Dealing with it can be a challenge. Troy’s experience with ibogaine sheds light on the inner battles that we face, and his response to it reinforces the idea that no human is ever “finished” their healing – or as Troy puts it, no one every truly “arrives” - and having that belief can sometimes be our downfall. 

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Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr. Kate Stone is a creative scientist, physicist, engineer and tech founder living in Los Angeles. She is the founder and CEO at Novalia, where she and her team create interactive posters and other everyday objects that embody the magic of interactivity and connectivity. Think posters that talk, books that turn into pianos, and walls that play music. She’s also an avid adventurer, a parent, and keynote speaker.

What we discuss:

• Coming into her ibogaine treatment, Dr. Kate had almost no experience with psychedelic drugs. We talk about her fears and expectations, and how she hoped an experience with ibogaine might help with her depression and anxiety.

• Dr. Kate’s experience of witnessing the most powerful moments of her life, and the impact that has had on how she lives her life from one day to the next and where she chooses to put her focus

• Feeling low post-ibogaine, and how those experiences have given her a better understanding of what triggers her depression

• How ibogaine helped Dr. Kate feel more connected to the needs of her body

• The impact of having a digital detox and the value of not having a smart phone for a few days

Why it’s important: It’s a common misconception that a single powerful experience with a psychedelic can “get rid” of our mental health issues – but the reality is, even when we’re doing the work to feel better, we will still face highs and sometimes, earth shattering lows in life. Dr Kate’s experience illustrates that a journey with ibogaine can provide us with a better understanding of what prompts our depression and anxiety, and with a sense of compassion and resilience for when these feelings might arise again. 

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Kaia Roman is a bestselling author, service-driven entrepreneur, intrepid biohacker, producer, investor and philanthropist living and working in Silicon Valley. Specializing in the fields of health, technology, and sustainability for 20 years, she has also been the marketing and PR muscle behind the launch of several businesses and organizations.

What we discuss:

• Kaia’s role in the burgeoning psychedelic industry and what drives her to try different psychedelic medicines in a space where not all involved are interested in having a personal relationship with psychedelic drugs
• Kaia’s relationship with biohacking, and how ibogaine fits into that relationship
• The similarities and differences between Kaia’s experiences with iboga and ibogaine, including how its consumed, differences in dose, and set and setting, as well as the different levels of discomfort in these experiences
• What it felt like for Kaia to meet herself as a four-year-old, and how that meeting led to a profound shift in safety, clarity, and authenticity for Kaia
• The value of pre- and post-treatment integration coaching
• How Kaia’s experience led to a sharp focus on her mission and how she can best serve

Why it’s important: Kaia’s experience with ibogaine might be outside of what you’ve come to relate to this drug. It illustrates that ibogaine can be used in more ways than helping us put an end to addictive behaviors – that it can help us connect with the parts of ourselves that feel unsafe and aid us in releasing our attachment to story lines that keep us small. It gives us an opportunity to upgrade.

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Flor Bollini is a creative entrepreneur, strategist, and medicine carrier – and the founder of NANA Heals. She’s also trained as a Iyanifa, a priestess of the IFA divination system, and is a student of  Ayurveda, Shamanism, and Africanism. She has been receiving and serving medicine for more than 15 years, and says her recent treatment with ibogaine was the most impactful psychedelic experience she’s ever had.

What we discuss:

• Flor, a seasoned psychonaut who has had hundreds of psychedelic experiences, speaks to her profound recent experience with ibogaine in Mexico, where she took almost 1 gram of the medicine
• Flor’s approach to the medicine: to explore her light, to see herself fully, to gain an understanding of how she is perceived, to surrender, and to get out of her own way.
• The intense visions and representations Flor witnessed: full blown virtual reality at scale of divine proportion, and cartoonish characters in sophisticated theatrical outfits that felt so real, Flor confused them with nurses in the treatment room
• How these visions made Flor feel (while ibogaine may have a reputation for being “scary,” Flor says what she witnessed was more beautiful than anything she’d ever seen while sitting with other medicines)
• The important messages she received from ibogaine, and how it allowed her to embrace her femininity in a new way

Why it’s important: Ibogaine specifically and psychedelics more broadly are often discussed and used in the context of healing trauma and facing our shadow, but Flor’s experience with ibogaine shows that when used with intention, this medicine can also enable us to get more comfortable with our light.

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Brigit is the founder and CEO of We, a learning studio that provides workshops and experiences to help people develop relational mindfulness within their relationships at work. She’s also an intimacy and relationship coach, a mom, and an artist.

What we discuss:

• what life was like before a recent ibogaine experience at Beond
• how she struggled to maintain a work-life balance
• how her relationships with alcohol and tobacco had become problematic without much awareness of how these substances were affecting her
• how she had hoped that treatment with ibogaine might help her heal from the trauma of experiencing abuse as a child
• her intense preparation for her experience
• how she developed a list of not 2 or 3 but 56 questions for ibogaine
• how her ibogaine experience, which was wildly different than what she expected, could have gone in two very different directions

Why it’s important: Brigit’s story is one that many of us can relate to: how many of us are struggling with burnout, numbing our pain with substances, and sitting with unresolved childhood trauma? There’s a lot to learn from Brigit’s understanding of relationships and intimacy, and from her experience navigating her ibogaine treatment.

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Kerry Rhodes is a former NFL safety who played in the league for 9 years, first for the New York Jets and then for the Arizona Cardinals, until 2013. Today he is a musician, writer, director, producer, and actor, who hasn’t exactly shied away from talking about his own personal use of psychedelics and how they have changed his life for the better.

What we discuss:

• Kerry’s experiences with psychedelic medicine
• the role psychedelics could have for folks in professional sports leagues
• the role of the supporter: what does it look like to support a family member, a friend, a loved one through the ibogaine experience?
• How to best support someone who is about to undergo an ibogaine treatment
• The importance of preparation, integration, and community
• advice for those in a supporter’s role

Why it’s important: Supporting a loved one through a traumatic period in their lives can be incredibly challenging, because it requires a level of surrender on the part of the supporter, too – a sense of trust in the process, and a willingness to let go of control. Kerry’s experience shows us how vital support from a loved one can be in taking the initial step to seek treatment, and how that support can allow a person to learn to trust the process, too.

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Vianey Ariadna Perez, or Nurse V. as everyone at Beond calls her, is a registered nurse and the head of nursing at Beond. Nurse V. has overseen more than 500 ibogaine experiences, and a few months ago, she also had her own experience with the powerful medicine. Born in Mexico and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she studied at a private nursing university and worked in Cancun’s General Hospital in several different departments before she began working with ibogaine in 2018.

There are some obvious things required of Beond’s nursing staff, and some less obvious things. In this episode, Nurse V. discusses some of the finer points of being a nurse in this kind of setting, and shares about her experience of witnessing transformational changes in the people she cares for.

Nurse V. opens up about her own experience with ibogaine in the spring of 2022, and she discusses a topic on the minds of several people in the psychedelic space: is it necessary for people who work with a psychedelic medicine like ibogaine to have their own experience with the medicine?

She also offers up advice to folks with nursing experience who might be considering working in this growing space.

Why it’s important: Nurse V presents a different perspective on ibogaine treatment: not one from the patient’s chair or the science lab but from directly opposite a patient, within the treatment room, and as the leader of a nursing team overseeing several patients who are at different points in their ibogaine treatment plan. Learning about Nurse V’s experiences with ibogaine, both personal and professional, provides a level of insight into treatment that could be new for listeners.

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Elizabeth Bast, a writer, yoga teacher, Bwiti Initiate, traditionally trained ceremonial iboga facilitator, and the co-founder of SoulCentro in Costa Rica. She has worked with iboga for well over a decade and is the author of Heart Medicine: A True Love Story, a memoir about an experience in healing through iboga.

What’s covered:

• Elizabeth’s introduction to iboga and supporting her partner through relapse
• Iboga and relationships: its impact on relationships
• The role of caregivers and how to support someone in addiction
• Elizabeth’s relationship with iboga and being initiated with the Bwiti
• The importance of relationship and community to the use of iboga
• How one can use iboga to cultivate deeper relationships with the self, others, and the earth
• What is reciprocity?

Why it’s important:

This heartfelt conversation gets to the root of why community is so important and intrinsic to not just an iboga or ibogaine experience, but any medicine experience. Elizabeth’s work and life experience speak to the value of relationship, and remind us that healing is not an individual pursuit, but something that happens as a collective.

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Dr. Thomas Kingsley Brown, an anthropologist, chemist and a MAPS researcher who studies the potential for ibogaine-assisted therapy to treat drug addiction, among other things. He is the research program coordinator at the University of California San Diego McNair program, and an advisor to Beond.

What’s covered:

• How ibogaine stacks up against standard treatment models for addiction
• Dr. Brown’s research on the long-term effects of ibogaine treatment: does it last?
• the recent history of ibogaine
• Who is Howard Lotsof?
• How and why ibogaine was scheduled in the United States
• Psychedelic drug policy
• What Dr. Brown’s research shows about the importance of integration and support after treatment
• Can a psychedelic experience feel like a religious conversion?

Why it’s important:

If you’re interested in learning more about both the long-term effects of ibogaine, and ibogaine’s history, this episode is for you. Dr. Kingsley Brown also does an excellent job of explaining why ibogaine is where it’s at right now as far as policy and research. His explanations of his own work on ibogaine’s long-term effects speak to the potential that it has in treating addiction effectively.

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Talia Eisenberg, co-founder of Beond, a serial entrepreneur involved in psychedelic healthcare who is most passionate about democratizing access to safe, scientifically backed treatment for addiction and trauma

What’s covered:

• Talia’s discovery of ibogaine
• Her experience at an ibogaine treatment center 13 years ago
• The evolution of the ibogaine treatment community
• Moving beyond opiate dependency and healing the underlying cause
• The importance of meeting people where they are at
• What happens during ibogaine treatment
• What happens after treatment
• Modalities that are complimentary to the post-treatment integration process
• Beond’s scholarship program and new Reset programs

Why it’s important:
Talia’s story is a wonderful example of the potential ibogaine has to completely turn someone’s life around – and not just that, but how that can 180 can inspire changes that go far beyond one person’s individual journey.

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