Opioid use disorder (OUD) is currently an epidemic in the United States (US) and
ibogaine is reported to have the ability to interrupt
opioid addiction by simultaneously mitigating withdrawal and craving symptoms. This study examined
opioid withdrawal and drug craving scores in 50 participants with OUD undergoing a week-long detoxification treatment protocol with
ibogaine. The Addiction Severity Index (ASI) was used for baseline characterization of participants' OUD. Clinical
Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS), Subjective
Opioid Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), and Brief Substance Craving Scale (BSCS) scores were collected at 48 and 24 hours prior to
ibogaine administration, as well as 24 and 48 hours after
ibogaine administration. At 48 hours following
ibogaine administration, withdrawal and craving scores were significantly lowered in comparison to baseline: 78% of patients did not exhibit objective clinical signs of
opioid withdrawal, 79% reported minimal cravings for
opioids, and 68% reported subjective
withdrawal symptoms in the mild range.
Ibogaine appears to facilitate
opioid detoxification by reducing
opioid withdrawal and craving in participants with OUD. These results warrant further research using rigorous controlled trials.