Ibogaine For Depression And Pain Management
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This thread is to discuss Ibogaine as a means to treat Depression and Pain Management, including, but not limited to, anxiety, IBS, joint pain, brain fog, shortness of breath, backpain, FMS, CFS, anhedonia, sleep problems, racing thoughts, loss of libido -- symptoms which are often associated with depression.

I would like to start a discussion on the subject since there is a lack of information regarding Ibogaine as a viable treatment option for Depression. Most information on the web only deals with Addiction treatment.

This is an off-shoot of the thread Ketamine for Depression. You can find more information regarding my past history with depression and avenues of treatment that I've pursued in that thread (for example see post # 392 over there).

Ibogaine. Ibogaine is the root bark of the Tabernanthe Iboga (Iboga) plant that is native to western Central Afrida. Iboga stimulates the central nervous system when taken in small doses and induces visions in larger doses. It has been used sucessfully to treat Opiate Addiction in just one treatment with zero withdrawal symptoms. In other words, Opiate addicts are said to be cured of their addiction in just one flood dose. I've also found reports of successful treatment for Depression. Those who have been treated with Ibogaine report that they experience a sense of renewal/rebirth, as if their brain has been reset to a state prior to their addiction or depression. (* I would liken the "reboot" of the CNS to those resulting from a medically induced Ketamine coma)

The Flood Dose. Ibogaine dosage is based on age and weight of the individual and it usually measures 15mg/kg, enough to put the individual into a lucid dream state, when upon awakening they experience a psychological rebirth.

Legal Status. Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I drug in the United States, and it is illegal or restricted in various parts of Europe. Those who seek treatment are often limited to obtaining the Ibogaine through the internet grey-market and self-administration, or visiting the Ibogaine clinics which exists in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, The Netherlands, or going to Gabon to experience Ibogaine through the traditional rite-of-passage rituals of the Bwiti discipline.

I would like to limit this discussion to Depression and Pain Management, as there are already plenty of resources on the internet that discuss addiction treatment. Please leave faith and spirituality at the door.

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Anti depressants will fatten you up! What could be better than that? Oh yeah, the hair loss from the keflex that got me in this ibs mess to begin with.

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No! Don't stop this thread! I need to hear how everyone is doing! We need more people to share their experiences, and I want to add my ideas

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Ann, was your question ever answered? Jw bc I also take metrolopol and have tried SO many anti depressants, with not much results apart from side effects! :( I know this is an old post, just wondering if you found your answer and ehat, if anything, has helped? Thank you in advance for your reply; )

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Hey there. I've suffered from depression since forever and lately I was wrongly diagnosed with bipolar depression. I took several expensive psych meds and none lasted more than a year. Eventually I ended up in a mental clinic for anxiety and depression and was accurately diagnosed (at last, I'm talking of 5 years with the wrong diagnose) and began a new treatment. It supported me but didnt really worked and last year I developed a short but intense addiction to methamphetamine. I just came back a week ago from a two week iboga treatment retreat. As I've been told the key part to ibogaine is the two to three months following when the brain is flooded with neuroplasticity and you can start shaping new patterns, habits and neuronal structures. That's when the real work begins. The way I see it after the personal research I've made (including scientific articles, tons of testimonies and neurochemical research and understanding -I studied psychology so I know a bit about that, I don't know all the chemicals or their precise interactions, I'm not a neuropsychologist, but at least I comprehend how it works.-) and what the professionals told me at the retreat, I see iboga as a door opener, emotions and mental patters purgent and that offers the possibility of a fresh start, but it is our work to get to that point. If you only use it as drug detox I believe the effects are more tangible and easier to grasp and little research has been done on depression or personality disorders effects, but I'm putting myself as a personal clinical trial to see how this can change my life and maybe help others.

This week has been terrible. I've felt weak and with lots of emotions and a couple minor emotional crisis (I've been having them for about 7 years, I can best describe them as emotional seizures: an emotion or thought or a synergy of both just kicks in and grows uncontrollably until it's overwhelming and makes me want to die only not to feel that) but they are very different. For once, they are far less intense than before even when I was on my psy meds (haven't taken them for a month now with psychiatric support of course). They are also different since I feel the emotions but this time when they finally and naturally stop I feel like I let go at least half of them. All the other emotions I've felt feel more like getting purged than endlessly lingering like they did when I was depressed. I also have a higher easyness to bounce back to feeling good than before. I also think of things that made me crumble to the ground and they seem like they happened in another lifetime. I hear to music that made me cry or get angry and it doesn't happen. Most of my flood was about fixing the s*** that made me borderline, so it only seems natural I'm still fixing it during these noribogaine months. This is what I've seen so far, I'll have to see what happens next.

I've researched a lot on depression, anxiety and personality disorders from many different angles and a long time and even though I'm no academic expert, the way I understand it depression is a fixed emotional and neuronal pattern of dealing with everyday life situations and past traumas. So iboga pretty much offers the chance to fix and transform that s*** and resets the brain to create new neuronal routes that do not need depression as a tool to respond to life. (yes, depression, anxiety and personality disorders are usually ways of the brain from actually protecting itself from previous endangering experiences mainly during childhood). So that's what I'm aiming for. I'm doing deep psychotherapy, lots of meditation and changing my ways to react to life.

I wouldn't recommend anyone take ibogaine without the support of therapists, counseling or whatever method anyone has to guide them through the way of inner healing, pattern breaking and forming of new patterns. This is just my very limited view for now. I don't think and wasn't told that iboga itself heals depression or even addiction, but it offers you a great chance for it. I'll see how this new adventure unfolds.

As for ayahuasca I've never tried it though my mother and other friends have, and I think and have seen it's also an amazing medicine. I believe that we are all different in both pshychism, neuronal behavior and genetic dispositions, so whatever non-harming, most natural method works for everyone is valuable and worth sharing.

Thanks for your trend and sharing your experiences, they've been of great help.

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Hi Meloncholy. I read your post. You didn't address it to anyone so I thought I'd respond. There is a Vyvanse and depression thread here. Have you seen it? My shrink has mentioned Adderal, but not other ADHD meds. My oldest daughter has AD, but that's the only instance in my family. I'm also considering mushrooms. There has been research in to their use and the use of other psychedelics In smaller doses they are very safe -- non addictive. I talked to my shrink about ketamine, but he didn't sound very supportive. I'm in Canada and it is very difficult to find a dr who will prescribe oral ketamine. IV transfusions are unheard of. I hope you get some relief soon.

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I suffer for years with severe depression but the past two years have been especially brutal. Tried many anti depressants, ketamine, series of TMS. Nothing has helped, except for Vyvanse which does give me relief but I'm scared of building up tolerance. Than what? ..looking into Aya, Psilocybin and Ibogaine. I'd lovw to know how you are doing and what if anything helped you. (I hope your in a good space these days!).

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888, I've done some research into various non prescription treatments for depression and am wondering how you are now? Are you still using ayahuasca? Is your depression still gone?

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Hi.... Interesting that you did your own treatment and now you have decided to go to a retreat or you have already gone as it is January, 2016, when I am writing this. How are you doing? I am curious if you did go on the retreat, where it was located. Just so you know, I did Ibogaine for addiction and it worked. I am suffering from neurogenic facial pain and looking to see what might help me. Thx...

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Hi 888,

I would like to know more about your ayahuasca treatment. Tq

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Hi 888. It appears from most of the research I have done that ayahuasca is the way I have to go in order to experiment with myself in order to seek some release from the soul destroying, self debilitating forms of depression that comes in many guises. Sad to say, but I have never been able to function as a fully fledged member of the human race for my wings were clipped by the depression and I could not fly or even live normally. Everything in my life was destructive and so dysfunctional. I realise today the only thing I really wanted to destroy was the depression. Yet in the process and confusion of trying to destroy the depression I caused harm to my body, mind, emotions and spirit. I let others harm me and I in turn hurt people close to me. Basically I became a warrior of destruction, lost and alone, never realising the harm I was inflicting on myself was tantamount to a crucifixion and slow suicide. No wonder the depression got worse......! Ingesting prescribed meds, undergoing ECT, taking opiates to lift my mood etc, moving house many times, dissociating from family, unable to form friendships....(the lit is endless). These strategies just enabled me to put a plaster on a gaping wound. But the wound got bigger and more profound. As a warrior out to initially destroy depression I have to concede and surrender and shout "NO MORE"...enough is enough. The prescribed meds are gone but I do still take a very small dose of opiates to lift my mood when the going gets to tough. Will not take the opiates on a daily basis in order to avoid addiction.

Upon surrender and giving up trying to fight the depression using orthodox ways I came across ayahuasca and ibogaine. EUREKA! You see despite the surrender, the fear of depression killing me in and of itself terrifies me. It's got me in it's grip (fear of depression).... so the depression still has control over me. I would hate to die never to know what it feels like to experience love and give it to others....to feel free. Along with all the other research into ayahuasca and your enlightening threads I have been given hope. Sincere thanks to you 888. I may yet find my wings? You mentioned in one of your threads that you had a somewhat demonic experience with ayahuasca and awed on the side of caution. I receive you warning. Yet I question myself and ask: What equates hell? I have been in hell for years so will knowing hell and experiencing it put me in good stead for a demonic experience should it happen with ayahuasca? The devil is in the detail and it will either kill me, cure me or drive me totally insane in the truest sense of the word. Oh I long to feel free and fly without the bondage of depression, to feel real and face life as it comes instead of running away and hiding in depression. Hiding in a cocoon, supposedly for protection!!!!!!! but dying bit by bit. What a con job!

888 thanks yet again. I have requested your e-mail details from the admins of this site as was suggested by you in a earlier post. The reason for this is not to harp on about how depression affects my life but to delve into the issue of ayahuasca as means to help me with depression. One must be open and come to live in the possible solution rather than the problem. Its time to listen to my internal voice be it right or wrong. As I do this it would be less scary if I had further help and support from someone such as yourself who has travelled the road I hope to travel. Our journeys will be different but hopefully I will reach the same destination. Only time will tell. "When the pupil is ready the teacher will appear"! We are all teachers and pupils in this world but mother ayahuasca may want to teach something that I know nothing about namely "healing" that my ego mind knows nothing about and can't conceive what healing really is. As Freud says: Ego mind leads to death.

Have gone on long enough 888. I really would like to make contact with you. if my request for your e-mail contact does not come through could you please make a request to admins for my e-mail contact details. I'm not very good with technology as my brain does not retain information.

humble thank you

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DizzyD, I cannot recommend that you go on an Ayahuasca trip on your own. You really need an experienced guide.

It's been several months since my last dose of DMT and I feel great, but I know that there's still healing to do, so I've scheduled a visit to an Ayahuasca retreat in June 2015.

If you'd like me to go into more detail you can contact me. Just ask the admins for my email using their contact form.

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Depression has a etiology of multiple sources. Financial, serotonin, genetic, others. SSRI's, SNRI's, Wellbutrin,others have mixed results. While not submitting ANY medical advice, my TX is as follows (for what it is worth ) 1. 20 Mg. Mixed amphetamine salts combo, IMMEDIATE release tid, Celexa and Abilify. It works and has worked for decades. I don't suggest you do this without consulting your prescriber.

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hi 888 I have read your posts re: treating depression with ibogaine or AYA. I did intend going for the ibogaine but have read about your experience and results with AYA and I now want to go along the AYA path. I was prepared to spend mega amounts of money to go to a clinic in PERU but you have revealed to me that there is another option ie the DIY approach. I am fully prepared to go with DIY treatment but I have no idea where to obtain the AYA. Endless searches online lead to a brick wall. please 888 where can I obtain the AYA? I have other questions re: dosage etc but first things first. NAMELY, where can I obtain AYA? I so hope you reply to this message. As you know one does not live a life while suffering with depression. Your messages have given me hope of getting out of the darkness I have been in for many years and months ago I stopped all prescribed meds as preparation for doing things my way. Hence research into ibogaine and AYA. I wait in anticipation of a reply from you.

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The drug you allude to is the main precursor of coke. It would be a schedule one. It very well may have experimental value under strictly controlled environments.

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888;

After 4 ketamine infusions I am mourning & accepting the fact that I am not a responder. Sad that my MD wouldn't tell me that fact as it would have validated my experience. In the meantime 888 please google Ignorance Kills, (Reardon Metals blog/site) for interesting info re/ endogenous TRD.

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Mayday, I have not received any messages from you. Just want to make sure everything is ok.

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mayday, I truly understand your frustration with modern medicine's approach to "depression". Modern medicine is rooted in science which tries to measure things in terms of empirical data that can be measured, weighed, calculated. But some things in this universe are beyond comprehension by scientific law.

I won't go into details publicly about my experience. So, to answer your questions indirectly...

Do you remember a time when you felt yourself? Whole. Complete. At peace with yourself. A time when events that happened in your life were in harmony. A time when you knew the answers and trusted your instincts. You were in control of your destiny. I have returned to this place. Aya has brought me back.

LDN is not the answer you're looking for.

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888; Please elaborate on your ayahuasca experience that was so different from your previous doses. Do you do this alone? Were you scared?

Re/ ketamine infusion.....have had several now w/ perhaps a very slight responce/effect after last one but really only change is I am just alot more irritable. Dr mailed me an 'Action List' of all the "usuals" like "excersize, meditate, volunteer, get more talk therapy, pursue an Art form, eat a balanced diet, sleep better, yada yada....you know....all the f***ing BS Dr's say when all their useless ssri's; etc; fail & they have to justify their existence. CYA & shift the blame. My Dr won't even give me the dignity of telling me the truth re/ my k infusions. He'd rather leave me hanging in the wind, anxiety ridden & miserable....not knowing for sure if pursuing ketamine further is worthwhile for me. "We'll see after you have more talk therapy" is his reply. Now supposed to hire new talk therapist for the 100th time.

I really Trusted and Admired my Dr before his classic 'kiss off'. Don't they know that's what all of them do after they take your $$$? I went through so much to try this treatment & was so grateful to have the chance to repair my brain in hopes of warding off (or lessening) the eventual dementia us Depression sufferer's are 8 times more likely to endure. I'm finished living in such great pain. Never will trust again or let someone in only to be told to try Talk Therapy...again! SLAM This has sealed my resolve to not leave myself in the hands of MD's or medicine.

Tell me 888...is aya still working for you? Is your Depression truly gone? Do you want to live LIFE now? Do you feel more motivated, have energy & drive? How long does improvement last? Is there downtime after dosing? Wonder if I even have it in me to research/try aya now as my k infusion failure (?) has left me defeated & feeling like death. I'm so tired of this. BTW... In hindsight do you feel LDN has any merit? Is LDN worth trying? Sounds like aya may be the answer for you which is so great! You have my envy! Please give details re/ effects on your home/work life. The simplist detail may be life saving for me. Thank You in advance for helping me w/ this. I am so demoralized.

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To everyone, be very careful with Ayahuasca. This past week I had my reality turned upside down and I'm still trying to process what just happened. I won't go into details but ideas from demonic possession and lost souls, to leaving my body were just a few of the things that I went through. The depression is gone and I feel that I'm cured, but as to what was the cause of the depression, I cannot say.

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mayday,

I started treatment in the beginning of August 2014. So it's been a little more than a month. I've dosed 5 times so far, and with each successive treatment I've felt even better than the previous treatment. This is all due to Ayahuasca.

It's been several years since I've been on any anti-depressant. The last attempt at prescription treatment was back in May 2012 and the drug was nasal Ketamine and LDN. For the past 20 yrs, I've been struggling, trying to make it to the end of the day. I just wanted to be left alone and did everything in my power to keep a low key so that nothing was asked of me. Even the simplest of tasks was difficult. The only safe place for me was at home in bed.

There were noticeable differences after the first treatment with Aya, but it wasn't until the third treatment that I felt that healing had finally begun. To answer you question, Ayahuasca has returned my life to me. Daily living is no longer an uphill climb. It's as it should be. Life will never be easy but now I have the mental and emotional means to handle any challenges that I may face.

Going into Ketamine treatment, I knew it wasn't a cure and I took that chance that it may not work for me. At the time I was just looking for a release from the darkness and hopefully see a glimpse of my former self even if was temporary. But I wasn't even afforded that. I don't regret having gone to Ketamine treatment. It was merely a step towards where I am now.

I encourage you to find your own answers as I did.

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