Episode #401: Unlocking the Secrets of Iboga: From Gabon’s Forests to Modern Healing

Crazy Wisdom

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop welcomes Jonathan Dickinson, a specialist in Ibogaine treatment and co-founder/CEO of Ambio Life Sciences and Teregnosis. They discuss the history and therapeutic uses of Iboga and Ibogaine, focusing on its effects in treating heroin addiction, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain. Jonathan also shares insights into the cultural origins of Iboga, its use in traditional Bwiti ceremonies, and how modern approaches, particularly his work with veterans, expand its applications. More information about Jonathan's work can be found at Ambio Life.

Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:21 Understanding Ibogaine and Its Uses

02:00 Ibogaine's Impact on Veterans and Brain Injuries

03:57 Psycho-Spiritual and Medical Benefits of Ibogaine

07:12 Scientific Studies and Misconceptions

18:50 Legalization and Research Challenges

25:05 Ibogaine Sourcing and Sustainability

31:43 Ibogaine Smuggling and Export Practices

32:10 Pharmaceutical Grade Iboga Extract

33:36 Challenges of Growing Iboga

33:53 Traditional Growth Methods and Cultural Attitudes

37:04 Global Cultivation Efforts

38:05 Access and Benefit Sharing Agreements

38:54 Traditional Knowledge and Bwiti Culture

39:40 Historical Context of Iboga Use

40:44 Bantu and Pygmy Cultural Exchange

42:31 Bwiti Rituals and Practices

46:23 Learning from Traditional Practices

48:19 Western and Traditional Knowledge Integration

55:58 Future of Iboga and Ibogaine

59:22 Connecting with Ambio

Key Insights

1. Iboga and Ibogaine as Addiction Treatments: Ibogaine is primarily known for its effectiveness in treating heroin addiction. It interrupts the addiction cycle through a powerful psychoactive experience lasting 12-24 hours, which helps individuals detox from drugs like heroin and opioids. After the session, many report being free of withdrawal symptoms and cravings for months, providing a unique pathway out of addiction.
2. Use in Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Jonathan has worked extensively with veterans, especially Navy SEALs, using Ibogaine to address TBIs. These injuries, often from combat-related concussive forces, lead to symptoms that mirror PTSD. Ibogaine appears to regenerate brain function, as seen in a study conducted with Stanford University, where veterans exhibited significant brain activity improvement following treatment.
3. Cultural Roots in Bwiti and African Traditions: Iboga has deep cultural significance in Gabon, particularly in Bwiti spiritual practices, which have been influenced by both indigenous Pygmy traditions and Bantu peoples. Bwiti uses Iboga in ceremonies for psycho-spiritual exploration, healing, and connection to ancestors, a tradition that has persisted for centuries and possibly millennia.
4. Misunderstandings About Noribogaine: Many believe that noribogaine, a metabolite of Ibogaine, remains in the body for up to eight months, contributing to long-lasting effects. However, Jonathan clarifies that noribogaine remains in the system for only a few days or a week. The extended feeling of ease or afterglow people experience may be due to neurotrophic factors like GDNF, which stimulate brain healing and regeneration over time.
5. Emerging Scientific Understanding of Ibogaine: Research into Ibogaine's mechanisms is still developing. It acts on many receptors in the brain, including the Sigma 2 receptor, which has been linked to pain relief and neuroprotective effects. There's also growing interest in its potential role in intracellular processes and energy metabolism, where it appears to improve cellular efficiency, possibly explaining its long-term regenerative effects on brain function.
6. Decentralized Knowledge and Treatment Communities: Unlike tightly regulated pharmaceutical models, Ibogaine treatment has grown in a decentralized, community-driven way, with providers sharing their experiences and knowledge. This echoes the traditions of Bwiti and emphasizes the importance of communal support around Ibogaine therapy, where the intensity of the experience requires a supportive environment and a collective sharing of insights.
7. Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing of Iboga: Jonathan is actively involved in ensuring the sustainable and ethical sourcing of Iboga through his company, Teregnosis. Working with Gabonese communities, Teregnosis follows the Nagoya Protocol to ensure that the benefits of Iboga's growing global interest are shared with the traditional communities that have long relied on this plant, protecting both the ecosystem and cultural heritage.