Ibogaine has been used informally in New Zealand for substance dependency treatment for years. In 2009, increased awareness led to its scheduling as an unapproved prescription medicine. The first prescribed treatment occurred in 2010. Current research involves a New Zealand observational study on long-term efficacy being conducted by MAPS. This study has followed participants for up to 12 months after treatment, finding that 50% of those followed for 11-12 months remained free of opioids. Ibogaine treatment carries inherent risks that require screening and 24-hour supervision.

1. Ibogaine in Aotearoa
• Used for substance dependency for a
number of years in an informal peer
driven way.
• A series of fora in 2009 drove an
increased awareness of Ibogaine at
community, medical and governmental
levels.
• November 2009, Medsafe placed
Ibogaine in Section 25 of the Medicines
Act as an unapproved prescription
medicine.
• New Zealand’s first prescribed Ibogaine
treatment was undertaken in September
2010.
• TVNZ Close Up aired a story on
Ibogaine, June 2012 – to see article
scan QR Code below right
• Current NZ research with the Multi-
Disciplinary Association for Psychedelic
Studies (MAPS) -
further information in column 3
Assessment Model
• comprehensive assessment is essential
to develop a good understanding of the
clients’ physical, psychological and
addictions history.
• used to develop an individualized
therapy plan.
Te Whare Tapa Wha Model of health is a
helpful tool in pre-Ibogaine treatment
assessment as it provides a holistic picture
of the individual.
TE TAHA WAIRUA-SPIRITUAL HEALTH
TE TAHA WHANAU- FAMILY HEALTH
TE TAHA HINENGARO-
PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH
TE TAHA TINANA-PHYSICAL HEALTH
Literature cited
Durie, M. (1982). Te Whare Tapawha Model of Health.
Level of risk with Ibogaine treatment. Retrieved August, 2011,
from http://www.ibogaine.co.uk/info.htm
Alper, K. et al. (2012). Fatalities Temporally Associated with
the Ingestion of Ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57(2)
:398–412
Medsafe, Medical Classifications Committee. Section 10:
General business. 10.1 Ibogaine and it’s metabolite nor-
ibogaine. Retrieved August, 2011, from
http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/mccMin03Nov2009.ht
m
Observational Study of the Long-Term Efficacy of Ibogaine-
Assisted Therapy. Retrieved April, 2014, from
http://www.maps.org/research/ibogaine/
Introduction
Ibogaine is one of the many active
alkaloids from the root system of the
equatorial rain forest shrub Tabernanthe
Iboga.
Indigenous people of West Africa to
combat fatigue, hunger, thirst, and also in
ceremony for various pharmacological or
ritualistic purposes.
The global use of Ibogaine for the
treatment of drug dependence has been
driven primarily from self-help groups.
Ibogaine has been shown to decrease
opioid withdrawal symptoms and drug
craving for extended time periods.
Although Ibogaine has diverse effects on
the central nervous system (CNS), the
pharmacological targets underlying the
physiological and psychological actions of
ibogaine are not completely understood.
Effects
• Often causes nausea, ataxia, abnormal
sensory perception, stimulates the CNS
increasing tactile, auditory and visual
sensations.
• may surface memories often observed
in a way that can be emotionally
challenging as well as therapeutic .
Some describe this as ‘watching a
movie screen’ or ‘waking dreaming’
• experiences are described by most
people as profound, frightening. Often
seen as beneficial to the individual
• more consistent with the experience of
dreams (oneiric), rather than
hallucinations
Current Research
Multi-Disciplinary Association of
Psychedelic Studies MAPS
New Zealand Observational
Study of the Long-Term Efficacy
of Ibogaine-Assisted Therapy
12-Month post-treatment follow-up
Principal Investigator – Dr Geoff Noller
Ethical approval February 2012
First participant recruited, June 2012
• 12 participants to date:
• 6 followed to 12 months post-treatment
- 4 full cessation (of opioids)
- 2 returned to use
• 1 @6 months - full cessation
• 1 @5 months - returned to use
• 1 @4 months - returned to use
• 1 @2 months - full cessation
• 1 left study (returned to use)
• 1 lost to follow up @ 11 months
(returned to use)
Of the 8 followed to 11-12 months
50% have remained free of opioids
Global IbogaineTherapist
Alliance (GITA)
A not-for-profit corporation dedicated to
supporting the sacramental and
therapeutic uses of Iboga through
sustainability initiatives, scientific research,
education, and advocacy. See QR Code
below right.
• Tanea Paterson is a current board
member for GITA and is on their patient
advocacy committee. Tanea is on a
panel at the 4th GITA conference in
South Africa, May 2014 to speak about
the prescription status of Ibogaine in NZ.
• Other board members – Norma Lotsof,
Jonathan Dickinson, Ben De Loenen,
Clare Wilkins, Boaz Wachtel, Jasen
Chamoun, Dr Anwar Jeewa, Dr Chris
Jenks, Dr Bruno Rasmussen Chavez,
Dimitri Mugianis.
Tanea Paterson
Substance Use Practitioner, Ibogaine Te Wai Pounamu
The 2009 Medsafe
Scheduling of Ibogaine
as a Non-Approved
Prescription Medicine
has
• Enhanced the ability to
design best practise
protocols suited to New
Zealand’s drug culture.
• Created a relatively
safe and effective
option for opioid
detoxification.
Aotearoa/NZ is
at the forefront of
progressive
scheduling to
enable research
and the
development of a
template for ‘best
practise’ and
integration with
existing health
services.
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to Howard Lotsof (March 1, 1943 — January
31, 2010) and his beloved Norma for all of their pioneering
work in the area of Ibogaine as an addiction interrupter.
Special thank you to my late Dad, Gordon Paterson x my
Mum, Lois and to Kirk, Jasen and my whanau for their most
important roles in my own ibogaine journey.
Geoff, Paraire, Claire and Sean-thank you for your valuable
teachings. I.ACT, Dr Winsome Aroha and to all around the
world in the Iboga/Ibogaine Community who have supported
me and shared their knowledge and experience.
Figure 7. A seed of
Tabernanthe Iboga
Figure 4.
Remogen ™
Brand Ibogaine
Hcl
Figure 2. Chemical
structure of Ibogaine
Hcl
Figure 1.
Bwiti Iboga
Ceremony
Figure 3. QR
Code link to
2012 Close Up
Article/Video Figure 5. Logo
for Global
Ibogaine
Therapist
Alliance, GITA
Figure 6. QR Code to the
GITA website. Scan for
further information.
There is an inherent level of risk with Ibogaine
treatment.
There have been a number of fatalities temporally
associated with Ibogaine globally.
The following risk factors have been identified:
-pre-existing cardiac conditions, sometimes not detectable
by ECG
-using opioids or other substances while under the
influence of ibogaine, or shortly afterwards
Persons taking ibogaine need constant 24hr
supervision
Ibogaine an a Psychoactive -
Therapeutic Application