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bdeeney098 t1_its9uqc wrote

What are your opinions on using psychedelics to treat substance use disorders, specifically opiates?

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psychsafetyalliance OP t1_itsaupu wrote

Early psychedelic researchers in the 1950's and 60's found LSD helpful in the treatment of alcoholism, and Bill Wilson (founder of Alcoholics Anonymous) had his own experiences with psychedelics which led him to the opinion that they were helpful in treating addiction.

Many mental health professionals today view addiction through the lens of trauma, which often an underlying factor in substance use disorders, and using psychedelics in a therapeutic setting can help treat some of these underlying issues.

For treating opioid addiction specifically, a psychedelic called ibogaine has shown a lot of promise. We know a couple people who have maintained long-term recovery after ibogaine treatment. Ibogaine has to be taken under medical supervision and is thus not cheap, but it seems to be the "magic bullet" for some people.

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bdeeney098 t1_itsb5ig wrote

Is ibogaine treatments legal in the US and if so do you have any resources on finding someplace that offers it?

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psychsafetyalliance OP t1_itsd0ha wrote

Ibogaine is unfortunately classified as a schedule 1 substance in the US, despite its promising clinical applications. Wikipedia has a great chart showing its status by country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_status_of_ibogaine_by_country

Two cautionary notes when seeking ibogaine: it is one of the riskier psychedelics to take, especially if there are underlying cardiac conditions - though the clinical research is not as robust yet as with some other compounds. We recommend that it is only done with careful consultation with your physician and a clear-eyed view of the personal health risks.

We would also recommend confirming that the sourcing of the iboga is done in an environmentally sustainable way, as increasing mainstream demand for ibogaine has resulted in unfettered deforestation that threatens the long term viability of ibogaine as a treatment option. More on conservation efforts here: https://chacruna.net/iboga_conservation/

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