What is ibogaine?

Ibogaine is an alkaloid extracted from the root bark of the iboga tree, which grows in Gabon, Africa. It is traditionally used by the Bwiti people in Gabon for religious ceremonies. Ibogaine is considered an atypical psychedelic because, unlike psilocybin and LSD, it doesn't cause visual perceptual changes. Instead, it allows individuals to re-experience past memories with an empathetic, detached perspective, often described as being like a life review or ten years of psychotherapy in one night. It has been of interest for treating substance addiction, specifically because it seems to help with reconsolidation of memories and achieving personal forgiveness, especially in the context of PTSD in Special Forces veterans. It is not a recreational substance and is typically used in therapeutic settings due to its intense effects and potential risks, including cardiac effects 1 2 3 4.