IMO: Iboga can save Lifes..

I totally agree goatboy.  This is a thread I wanted to start, you beat me to it, but thank you.  I do think we need to stress that anyone considering using iboga for mental health issues should be off most prescribed meds. SSRI's and those that affect serotonin in particular and some others drugs that some have had bad interactions with on Iboga.  Thank you.  I would like to see much more on this topic.

Thanks roxine, I'm glad I'm not the only one intrigued on this topic. I've been reading some negative experiences about microdosing as well as flooding, but it's very often somehow seems to be connected to mental health meds and/or issues. Besides the serotonin activity and a few other small factors, even doctors don't know what it's fully doing to your brain exactly.. at least to my understanding and I've been seeing doctors for over a decade now for anxiety related issues that arose well before I even got to have any of the fun of good drug experiences. And they always insist prescribing SSRI's, as I look around and see that the clipboard, pen, office supplies are all FROM (labeled) the certain SSRI drug I'm getting talked into. It struck me as suspicious but I gave a couple a honest shot when I was younger, and I never felt so blank in the mind. With 2 different kinds of them (different times as well of course), I felt suicidal for the first times of my life, it was very surreal and scary. It was then I knew SSRI's were not for me and stopped immediately. I've even tried about 5 from the pharm companies to doctor marketing techniques, but I'll pass on any of them easily for it doesn't work to any benefit in my brain and body. I still get offered them and have to explain for a half hour of why I'd really not like to go that route from previous circumstances. Always get a 'well, there's so many, you just gotta find the one for you', No thanks, I'm not even nor have I ever been irrationally depressed! But I do feel for those that are depressed, and know that it benefits some. What could those people do when also addicted to other drugs and trying to detox? It's not too rare of a thing it seems. I don't see too much good stories of just stopping their anti-depressants they've been on for however long. You'd think that if it stops some of your brains thoughts, although sometimes neccessary, if you just stopped, wouldn't those bad thoughts you weren't able to control before even come back enhanced especially at first because the real problem hasn't really or fully been addressed, rather mostly just covered up and hiden. And that's a common issue it seems, I wish there was an easy answer for that one. But yes, SSRI's I understand also has negative interactions with iboga. All of them? Most at least I'm guessing? Is there any research or source on SSRI's interaction with Iboga? That could wipe mixing those 2 medicines off, as to be safe and not worsen any health conditions. But what's a good alternative for those people? And which other mental health drugs should be on or off that list, which should be ok'd beside benzo's? With so many drugs on the streets and prescription drugs makes for a very complex issue to just be able to heal yourself properly to a natural state of being. Although I know very limited, if any reliable sources of related information on these topics, I think that would be a great start.. You'd think this has been studied in much detail by others. I have yet to see much myself, but with new drugs being created every month at least, one could only imagine how complex it is and rather just say no SSRI's whatsoever, and NO anti-depressents, or other absolute no's for healing. My believe that not much is absolute, leads me to believe theirs much more to be known and I don't see much effort by the masses to find the answers for our own critical healing. A lot of these people have so much potential, but addiction is like taking ones freedom and rational thinking away. It can be reversed, I really believe so but it will take time, and much much more awareness. How low does one have to go before getting back to logical thinking? There's plenty of effort and money put into endless wars, if only a fraction was put towards healing our wellness as living beings of all sorts. Anyways, not trying to go there, back to the topic. How much research is there with these kind of situations? And how available is it if any true scientific information is out there? For iboga isn't just a physical medicine, it covers so much and very much to do with the brain which we are still learning about to this day..

HI torrie_learns!  You have brought up many questions that I would like to see some answers on.  I was wondering WHY so many (fairly) new people on here were bringing this up, since Iboga is mostly known for and talked about as an addiction interrupter.  I was wondering if some of the claims from some of the clinics such as Iboga House are the cause.  I only mention Iboga House because at least two of the newer folks on here, who were talking about using Iboga for mental health issues mentioned that particular place.  I know Moughenda makes some pretty absolute claims, that Iboga is a magic bullet for almost anything, when we all know that isn't exactly true.  I am just making an educated guess that some are seeing these claims and then finding this forum. I personally believe that it is a tool that can be used for many of these mind issues.  My depression, that I suffered with since I was a kid, is gone.  I don't think there is enough research to say what drugs one can and can not be one when using Iboga,  I think right now, until we know more we should say that anyone using SSRI's or SSRNI"s or anything that we don't know that is safe,  to NOT use Iboga until they have been off them for quite some time, I think it would depend on how long one had been on them as well.  I know TANYA had been on "Strong Medicines" for 15 years and quit for two weeks before starting to microdose (very small amounts of RB) and she claimed that it ruined her life, well she had only been off of the meds for a coupe of weeks, after being on them for 15 years!  I think just dropping the meds alone would make her feel awful, that is why I don't believe it was the RB in THAT particular case, she had taken so very little of it.  It seems that most of the people who have claimed here recently to have a bad experience while using Iboga for mental issues have had these drugs still in their system, so again I think we should advise anyone on these drugs, not to use Iboga, for the time being anyway. I was also pushed by my Dr. into taking SSRI's for anxiety, they did the exact same thing to me as they did to you, they worsened my anxiety and made me depressed.  First it was Zoloft, which I was on for about a month, maybe a little longer,  I was told I had to take it for at least that long to notice any affect.  I did notice right away the strange dreams, which I kind of liked, but then I was just sleeping so much that it made me depressed, which I had not been at the time... ( I was still using opiates for my depression at that time )  I told my Dr. It wasn't helping and only making things worse, she insisted on Prozac next, two weeks of that and I wanted to jump off a bridge, then she suggested effexor,  I took it for a couple of days and noticed I wasn't dreaming at all yet still sleeping way too much, which was again making me depressed.  I quit them all, refused any more and finally convinced her to just give me anxiety meds, a low dose xanax which I am still using, but trying still to cut down on.  It seems like they push these drugs on almost everyone, they are trained in school to rely on these meds, and we all know that the pharmaceutical companies are PAYING professors to teach this and PAYING doctors to prescribe them.   What a hustle.  As far as what we know about Iboga and the brain,  I hope more research is done.  IMO it really repaired my brain from a lot of damage I did to it over the years.  When I was 13, I was huffing scotch guard, I know that just a week of doing that probably did a lot of damage, at 16 I started using ecstasy and very frequently, taking it almost every day, for at least a year, and less often for some time after that, then I started using meth, luckily for only about 6 months, but those 6 months were hell.  Then years of booze.. I had, up until recently, a very hard time with my speech, I could not for the life of me say exactly what was on my mind, so much of the time in social situations I would just sit and listen.  Some of it I am sure was anxiety, but not all of it, I knew some of it was the result of chemicals at an early age.  I am much different now.  During my first and largest flood,  I saw/felt that Iboga was having a difficult time "resetting" my brain.  I saw my brain as two rows of small white tubes with flashing lights on the top, and they were flashing erratically, eventually they seemed to flash in a somewhat recognizable pattern.  I also felt that some of the "chaotic" or "nonsensical" visions that kept repeating was my brain still trying to reset itself.  Now I have no trouble speaking what is on my mind, not like I did before... it was almost as if I had a speech impediment or something, I just mumbled all of the time, which I still do sometimes, but not nearly as often, and usually only after I smoke too much herb.   I felt it did reset/heal my brain, from what I felt was permanent damage I had done.  I would be curious to know if anyone else has experienced this. This is such a powerful medicine and I wish there was more research on using it for mental health issues,  I do feel it has much to offer, but from all of the anecdotal evidence we have seen from members of this forum,  I still feel we need to stress the importance of being off of these pharmaceuticals until we know more.  I know many people do need them, and these same people could benefit from Iboga,  I just don't think it is worth the risk right now, we just know so little.  I really appreciate you bringing this up torrie_learns.  I hope we can get members to be honest on what they are taking, for how long and if they are able to quit them, before we consider recommending  Iboga.  I also hope that there is more research on this, even if some of it is done in this forum by taking into account member stories.  I am fascinated by this topic  I also know that there have been other drugs that people have had bad interactions with as well, and I hope we can document some of these ..  I am going to post this now, so I don't loose it like I have some of the longer posts I have made, and may come back and edit or add.  I hope others have something to add as well,  I think it is an important topic.  Thank You Again, roxine As far as other medications that seem to have a bad interaction with Iboga, one I read about recently was with Evolutionfone and Sulfasalazine.  It put him in the hospital and the story was scary.  I would like to keep a list of other meds, if there are other accounts of bad reactions,  I hope I don't find or hear of too many,  I would hate for anyone to go through what he did,  I am thankful he is okay.  If anyone has heard of other specific incidences with specific meds, other than ones we have talked about, or are already commonly known, and have read this, please add.  Thank You.

GB and La! First, my apologies for not reading the whole thread (on vacation).  You are both right on the money.  And it's my instinct, it's my gut, it's my current cognitive harmony, my right mind that can let me see that so crystal clearly.  This topics is refreshing.  Missjess has had some struggles, as we all have, and the message that was being relayed is so controversial.  I am living breathing smiling proof of this.  Your questions on brain damage, etc. are good and will be answered in due time.  I have gone my own route which was 4 floods (3 HCL, 1 TA), MDing, and other work as well, and I have created what I believe to be a powerful SSRI.  I have never felt anything like this.  The amount of re-wiring that has happened in this time, my new perspective, new chemistry, new behavior patterns, new synaptic firing, I am aware, awake, alive and on fire, and I still know there is so much work to do.  BUT I WANT TO LIVE!!!  I am once again amazed by our world, by the natural world, the wonders of the psychedelic world, love and all the fruits and surprises of this life.  The sacrament saved my life.  I am a rocket ship of change, from one side of the pendulum to the other.  I will post more here as time goes on.  I just had to say thank you both for starting the talk, and thank you to both Iboga and my iboga family for giving me another chance.

humbleaspen, Great to hear your light start shining.  STOP DRINKING!  It's disrespectful if you ask me.  You had the great advantage of being brought together with our Father Iboga, and if you understand what that really means, you understand that this is a rare treasure that many people will never experience.  IMHO, just find other outlets, your new perspective will help you incorporate something much more conducive and synergistic with your goals.   I am not saying never have a drink, but drinking now is like meeting god and then pretending that you never did.  Ridiculous. You just went through hell and back, and now have the ever so precious NORI!  With all the problems you have faced, and all the road covered to get to your current state, WHY would you do the one thing that we know diminishes these levels of serenity, bliss joy, unnecessary content, resilience, wonder, taste for life, all that Nori is and can be? I prefer ganja, never was a big drinker.....so I maybe it's easier for me.    Keep up the good work.

humbleaspen, I am glad to hear that you are doing better and even great!  Very good to hear, I am glad you looked for the positive things to come out of this.   I don't think you were taking any pharmaceuticals were you?  I also suggest that you quit the drinking immediately, it will flush the noribogaine out of your system, the quickest way to loose a glow...right now, you want to keep it as long as possible.  I doubt your body really wants it right now any way.   I doubt a little alcohol would flush it all out, but if you kept up with drinking it could... I am glad that you are doing so well.  Also it would be best if you waited at the least 6 months before doing another flood... we still don't know what doing too many too close together can do, as far as any permanent damage.  I know BT had done several in less than one year, but he has no plans on doing it again soon.  How many floods have you done and in what time period?  You could however microdose, this could extend the glow for quite some time.  roxine

So this has been posted before, but I think it fits into this thread as it shows some research that has been done regarding Iboga and the brain.  It is very interesting... may help begin prove my theory of repairing brain damage I did to myself when I was still very young.   I am not a scientist so some of these therms I am not totally familiar with but I plan on studying up a bit more on what this truly means.  I am happy to know that there is research being done about Iboga and the brain.  Hopefully we start seeing more http://www.patentgenius.com/patent/5629307.html

Thanks for sharing La.  Deepak Chopra?  really?  Do you think that means since his name is on this Iboga is going to become significantly more exposed to the world?

I must have missed that, I didn't see his name... I must admit, this is way over my head and I don't understand a lot, or much at all really, about neuroscience and brain chemistry, but it fascinates me to no end!

Doing things that you weren't sure you could do again for whatever reason can be a major part of getting back on track.  Whether that is going out and not being fearful, like you said missjess (even without alcohol....cause your Nori is a trillion times better and more precious), or tearing up a mountain on your skis or snowboard.  I did 2 days of riding at Heavenly and took 1 nasty spill.  I walked away just fine.  I even drove for 5 hours the next day which would normally have me in a lot of pain just from that long in the car. I FEEL NO PAIN!  It's great!  I don't know if that's Nori, my natural morphine system turned back on fully or what, but my falls on the mountain just had me soar or maybe limping, but no pain.  Amazing!  I wonder if this is just the strongest my natural opiate system has ever been?  I did not think I was ever going to snowboard the same again.  I thought I wasted my time moving to the mountains, my life, etc.  That was wasteful thinking.  Regaining the ability to do what you love most is the biggest breathe of fresh air! I did feel pain once recently: My gf was passed out on the couch and I tried to put her to bed, and she bit me on my chest.  She broke the skin!  It was an accident, but I had to try to not scream...like stubbing your toe.  Next step, holding a job/continuing to build "a career."  I have been told going back to work is grounding as well.  This one is really looming over me.  I have always lost my mind overtime (so to speak) working for others.  This makes me want to get back into school first. Anyone know anyone who has studied psychedelic therapy in academia?  My undergrad is in psychology....