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Ibogaine Breakthroughs In Treating PTSD
Mental Health
Ibogaine Treatment
Addiction
PTSD
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid that has been traditionally used in West-African spiritual ceremonies. Recently, research has shown ibogaine break throughs in treating PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), as well as its subtype, complex PTSD.
It is no understatement that survival on this planet has always been problematic, and not without its share of suffering. Unfortunately, in the process of living, external events happen to us that leave deep, lasting scars which in many cases can sap our ability to not only enjoy life, but also the will to keep on living. These can range from highly traumatizing events such as physical or sexual childhood or adulthood abuse, or prolonged exposure to physical violence as experienced by war veterans.
Exposure to severe trauma, when prolonged or repeated, results in a serious mental health condition called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, addiction and hyperarousal. all of which are known to be incredibly resistant to conventional forms of therapy, such as talk therapy, antidepressants and anxiety medication. This may be because the latter focus mainly on managing the symptoms of PTSD, rather than addressing the causes, but also because the real roots of the symptoms of PTSD lie in the subconscious, rather than in the conscious mind.
To this end, ibogaine goes to work not only on the subconscious, but also resets the brain’s neural pathways, both of which go a long way in alleviating symptoms of PTSD. On a psychological level, ibogaine enables the re-experiencing and processing of traumatic memories and promotes therapeutic and insightful spiritual and personal visions, which is crucial in addressing the underlying psychological events related to PTSD.
Ibogaine’s Action On The Brain’s Neural Pathways
On a neurological level, the alkaloid interacts with several neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate, which are involved in regulating mood and emotions, helping to restore them to their baseline levels prior to either PTSD, or addictions resulting from it. Ibogaine is also thought to stimulate the release of certain growth factors, such as Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, (BDNF), is a protein that plays a vital role in the development and function of the nervous system. It promotes the survival and growth of neurons in the brain and spinal cord, and is essential for the formation of new connections between neurons, known as synapses, which are vital for learning and memory. Additionally, BDNF plays a key role in protecting neurons from damage and promoting their repair. This protein is widely distributed throughout the brain, with high concentrations found in regions responsible for learning and memory, such as the hippocampus.
Therefore, one of the key benefits of ibogaine as a treatment for PTSD is its ability to target the root causes of the condition in a focused and systemic way, whereas traditional PTSD treatments, such as therapy and medication, often focus on managing symptoms, ibogaine breakthroughs in treating PTSD address the underlying neural mechanisms that contribute to PTSD, which often leads to more lasting and effective results.
Ibogaine is also thought to be particularly effective in treating complex PTSD, which is a subtype of PTSD that can occur as a result of prolonged or repeated traumatic experiences. Complex PTSD is characterized by more severe and persistent symptoms after repeated exposure to trauma, and it is often very resistant to traditional treatments. Ibogaine’s ability to reset the brain’s neural pathways is known to be particularly beneficial for individuals with complex PTSD, as it can help to break the cycle of trauma and its maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Another benefit of ibogaine as a treatment for PTSD is its ability to provide a rapid and sustained reduction in symptoms. In a study of ibogaine treatment for PTSD, participants reported a significant reduction in symptoms within 24 hours of treatment, and these improvements were maintained for at least six months. Such a breakthrough stands in sharp contrast when compared with traditional PTSD treatments, which can take weeks or even months to produce results.
When administered in a safe medical setting, and especially after preliminary bloodwork and thorough cardiac testing of the individual, ibogaine is also well-tolerated and has a relatively low risk of side effects. The most common side effects are nausea, dizziness, and ataxia. While the visions occasioned by this potent plant medicine can be intense and vivid, they will often shine a light on the less obvious traumas nestled in the folds of the subconscious.
Another reason why ibogaine breakthroughs in treating PTSD have been significant is that it has also been reported to have a low incidence of addiction and abuse, not only because of its detoxifying action on the addiction centres of the brain, but because of the often challenging nature of its hallucinations. This makes it a preferable alternative in treating the condition, as many traditional PTSD treatments use highly addictive drugs such as benzodiazepines or antidepressants. In fact, ibogaine is often used as an effective treatment for substance abuse disorders.
One of the main reasons why Big Pharma conglomerates have resisted the legalisation of ibogaine is perhaps owing to the millions of pounds they would lose were ibogaine ever to be made commercially viable. For pharmaceutical corporations, it simply would not be profitable to market a medication that could improve the lives of those with PTSD after as little as one or two treatments; much better instead to keep those suffering from PTSD addicted to antidepressants and benzodiazepines, which have a higher potential for addiction and abuse, and therefore provide a much larger profit margin.
Here at Ibogaine Treatment UK, (a subsidiary of Tabula Rasa Retreat™), we have treated hundreds of clients suffering from different degrees of PTSD and complex PTSD, the majority of which have reported that their treatments, coupled with the holistic practices and different strategies we coached them on have gone a long way to giving them a new lease on a live formerly lived in complete fear and multiple emotional and spiritual blockages.