Tabernanthe iboga

Effects

Overview

Tabernanthe iboga, or simply iboga, is a perennial rainforest shrub and psychedelic which is native to western Central Africa. In parts of Africa where the plant grows, the bark of the root is chewed for various pharmacological or ritualistic purposes. Ibogaine, the active alkaloid, is also used to treat substance abuse disorders and depression. A small amount of ibogaine, along with precursors of ibogaine, are found in Voacanga africana. PW

Tabernanthe iboga (iboga) is an evergreen rainforest shrub native to Central Africa. A member of the Apocynaceae family indigenous to Gabon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Republic of Congo, it is cultivated across Central Africa for use in traditional medicine and rituals.[1] WP

T. iboga can grow up to 10 meters tall and contains psychoactive indole alkaloids, especially ibogaine, concentrated in its root bark, which produces strong neurological effects. It is used in both low doses as a stimulant and in high doses to induce intense dreamlike and hallucinatory states during rituals. WP

Although ibogaine has attracted interest for potential addiction treatment due to reports of reduced drug cravings, it carries a risk of potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias. In high doses, ibogaine is considered to be cardiotoxic, and has caused serious comorbidities when used with opioids or prescription drugs. Historically documented since the 19th century, the plant has both cultural importance and controversial modern use, with unregulated clinics operating globally despite safety concerns and limited clinical evidence; meanwhile, overharvesting and slow growth raise concerns about its conservation.[1][2] WP

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists ibogaine as a controlled substance of the Controlled Substances Act.[1] WP

History

History

The first (probable...and confused) reference to Iboga is that of Bowdich in chapter 13 of his "Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee..." of 1819 The Eroga, a favourite but violent medicine, is no doubt a fungus, for they describe it as growing on a tree called the Ocamboo, when decaying; they burn it first, and take as much as would lay on a shilling. If this is indeed a reference to the drug derived from Tabernanthe iboga (Eroga appears to be a variant form of the names iboga and eboka) it is, of course, grossly in error in its assumption that iboga is not a plant but a fungus. Notable however is the observation of the potency of the drug – effective in small quantities. The description of the plant as growing on a tree is puzzling: Tabernanthe iboga does not usually grow as an epiphyte – if at all.[3][4] WP

The ritual use of iboga in Africa was first reported by French and Belgian explorers in the 19th century, beginning with the work of French naval surgeon and explorer of Gabon Griffon du Bellay, who identified it correctly as a shrub belonging to the Apocynaceae – as recorded in a short essay by Charles Eugène Aubry-Lecomte on the plant poisons of West Africa, published in the year 1864.[5] WP

Parmi les plantes rares ou nouvelles rapportées par le docteur Griffon du Bellay, la famille des apocynées contient encore deux poisons; l'un, nommé iboga, n'est toxique qu'à hautes doses et a l'état frais. Pris en petit quantité, il est aphrodisiaque et stimulante du systeme nerveux; les guerriers et chasseurs en font grand usage pour se tenir éveillés dans les affûts de nuit; de même que pour le M'boundou, le principe actif réside dans la racine qu'on mâche comme la coca. [Translation: Among the rare or new plants brought back by Dr. Griffon du Bellay, the plant family Apocynaceae contains two further poisons; the first of these, called Iboga, is only toxic in high doses and in the fresh state. Taken in small quantities, it is an aphrodisiac and stimulant of the (central) nervous system; warriors and hunters make considerable use of it in order to stay awake during their night vigils; as with the (plant) M'boundou, the active principle (of Iboga) resides in the root which is chewed like coca (leaf)].[6] WP

Legal status

Legal status

Iboga is outlawed or restricted in Belgium, Poland, Denmark, Croatia, France, Sweden, and Switzerland. In the United States, ibogaine is classified by the Controlled Substances Act on the list of schedule I drugs, although the plant itself remains unscheduled.[1][7] WP

Swedish non-profit organization Föreningen för hollistisk missbruksvård engages in advocacy for clinical investigations of ibogaine's anti-addictive properties, loosening of Swedish laws prohibiting ibogaine, and the creation of treatment facilities in Sweden utilizing ibogaine.[8] WP

Exportation of iboga from Gabon is illegal since the passage of a 1994 cultural protection law.[9] WP

Pharmacology

Chemistry

Pop culture

No references added yet.

References

1. Other Iboga. January 23, 2019
2. Journal / agency Ibogaine. September 4, 2014
3. Other Bowdich, Thomas Edward, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, and geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa Chap. XIII. — "Sketch of Gaboon, and its Interior", page 422
4. Other Furst, Peter T. (ed.) Flesh of the Gods: The Ritual Use of Hallucinogens, pub. George Allen & Unwin 1972 Copyright 1972 by Praeger Publishers, Inc. (Chapters 6 and 7 copyright 1972 by R. Gordon Wasson),, Chapter 9, "Tabernanthe iboga: Narcotic Ecstasis and the Work of the Ancestors" by James W. Fernandez, Page 237 ISBN 0 04 573009 1
5. Other Retrieved at 12.26 on 8/1/21. link 2
6. Other Aubry-Lecomte, Charles Eugène, "Note sur quelque poisons de la côte occidentale d'Afrique", Revue Maritime et Coloniale, vol. XII, 1864
7. Other Arrêté du 12 mars 2007 modifiant l'arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants. 2007
8. Other ibogain.se – Föreningen för Holistisk missbruksvård
9. Other Loi n°2/94 du 23 décembre 1994 portant sur la protection des biens culturels. 2008

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