As we have seen first-hand at Victory, the opioid epidemic in America continues to expand. As a result, a state committee in Kentucky is looking into whether ibogaine, a psychedelic drug, can be used as a treatment option for opioid addiction. The drug is derived from an iboga plant, which is actually native to Africa. Ibogaine is currently not regulated in Mexico, and over time has become a crucial method for treating opioid use disorder.
With that being said, there needs to be much more research that goes into the idea of using this drug as a possible treatment for opioid use disorder. The Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission plans to vote to determine if funds should be allocated to this research. It's no small number -- $42 million is the amount of money needed to research the benefits of ibogaine. This research could prove to be highly beneficial in the treatment of opioid use disorder.
The statistics associated with opioid use disorder include opioids contributing to 75% of the drug overdose deaths in the US in 2020. Additionally, in 2020, annual drug overdoses exceeded 100,000 for the first time. This is an alarming statistic, and one that needs to be addressed. We must figure out why overdoses are increasing, while getting to the root of the problems that are causing people to turn to drugs in the first place.
According to Bryan Hubbard, who is the chair and executive director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission, “Ibogaine could be an opportunity for a significant breakthrough”. In addition to this, there is a high level of support for the drug among experts, political figures, and even those who have personally used the drug. If approved, the funding of the research for this drug can prove to be historic. It would be the largest number of resources put towards any type of research in the psychedelic arena.
While all of this sounds promising, ibogaine can have negative health effects. It can affect the kidneys and liver, and can cause potentially deadly irregular heart rhythms. However, if used properly in a supervised setting, the risks can be greatly reduced.
So, what comes next? If the votes to fund research are approved, the FDA will need to approve it through a process known as an Investigational New Drug application. If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid use disorder, Victory Recovery Partners can help. At our Farmingville location, we provide methadone services which serve as a highly effective and reliable source of treatment for opioid use disorder. For more information, please visit our website www.victoryrp.com
