The Effects of Ibogaine

Iboga is a potent hallucinogenic plant used for shamanic purposes in various countries in Africa. The roots of Tabernanthe iboga, and in particular the bark of the roots, are ground into powder and either eaten or made into tea. While iboga's traditional use is due to its long-lasting hallucinogenic effects, Western psychiatrists are interested in iboga's potential use in curing addiction to opiates, cocaine and alcohol. Ibogaine, the principal active chemical in igoba, is listed as a Schedule I narcotic in the United States, and possession is illegal.

Nausea and Vomiting

As with many plants, iboga is a purgative when taken in large doses. Users can expect intense nausea and sometimes violent vomiting after ingestion. In fact, almost a third of users vomit, according to a 1995 paper presented to the 37th International Congress on Alcohol and Drug Dependence in San Diego, California. Because vomiting can be triggered by movement, most iboga users stay still most of the time while intoxicated.

Dreamlike Visions

Hallucinations from igoba can range from visual enhancements to full "dreamlike" realities. During this period of intoxication, initiates in the Bwiti cult of Gabon and the Congo are known to sit for in a daze for long periods of time, which is traditionally interpreted as a "soul journey" to the land of the dead, according to Paul Gahlinger, M.D., author of "Illegal Drugs."

Stimulant Effect

Traditionally, iboga also is used as a stimulant when hunters stalked lions. Indeed, Western researchers reported in the 1995 San Diego conference that the drug can prevent sleep for up to 48 hours.

Other Negative Effects

Other negative physical effects include tremors, abnormal breathing, spasms in the legs, and seizures. Diarrhea, increased salivation, and runny nose are also reported. There are a few reported deaths associated with iboga as well.

Disruption of Addictive Behaviors

Chiefly in the West, ibogaine is used in quasi-clinical settings to help drug addicts as they go through withdrawal. The central claim is that addicts who use ibogaine only once have less intense withdrawal symptoms, and less interest in their addictive drugs afterward. Opiate withdrawal is the most common reason for taking iboga, according to a 2008 article published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmocology." This "medical subculture" differentiates igobaine from other known hallucinogens, with the exception of ayahuasca, which also is increasingly used for psychotherapeutic reasons.