Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) is a plant native to Africa, from the Apocynaceae family, whose root contains the active principle ibogaine, an alkaloid substance with psychoactive properties.
Ibogaine has been studied for its potential use in treating chemical dependency, particularly on drugs such as cocaine, crack, heroin, and alcohol, and as a therapeutic tool for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
In Brazil, treatments with ibogaine have been available since the end of the last century, and since 2008, through RDC 28/2008, doctors can prescribe substances that are already regulated in other regulatory agencies.
It is important to emphasize that the use of ibogaine as a treatment for chemical dependency is safe when proper screening and monitoring are followed.
The history of the ritual use of ibogaine dates back thousands of years to the Pygmies and more recently in the Bwiti traditions of Central Africa, where the substance is used in ceremonies. Bwiti rituals include the ingestion of iboga root, which induces a state of deep trance to achieve a process of death and rebirth in physical-spiritual communion with the community.
IBOGA x SANANGA?
Sananga is a substance extracted from the bark of the Tabernaemontana sanho tree, found in the Amazon and also from the Apocynaceae family. It is traditionally used by indigenous peoples for hunting. Sananga is applied directly to the eyes in the form of eye drops. It is possible to find minimal amounts of ibogaine in Tabernaemontana sanho.
Despite their pharmacological similarities, sananga and ibogaine are substances with distinct properties and uses, and even though they belong to the same botanical family, they are too distant to be related, even though they share the same alkaloid in their composition.
This information is a result of conversations with Dr. Bruno Ramos Gomes, a great connoisseur of the uses of Iboga.
*Original image, created by AI.
Felipe De Nadai
CRP 08/35704
Very nice read!