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Addiction has escalated into a full-blown public health epidemic, claiming over 100,000 lives annually in the U.S. alone and devastating families, communities, and healthcare systems. In the face of this crisis, it is essential that breakthrough treatment options— particularly those that target the underlying traumas that often drive addictive behavior—receive serious consideration. Ibogaine has emerged as a promising treatment through research and clinical experience. Although it remains a Schedule 1 Drug in the US, treatment centers abroad–where it is available for medical use–routinely provide it to people for treatment of acute opioid withdrawal and addiction. Harnessing its benefits requires a deep understanding of not just its pharmacological effects, but also the importance of set and setting, and the need for skilled, professional guidance.
Ibogaine is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from the African shrub Tabernanthe iboga, traditionally used in rites of passage and ethnomedicine in African countries such as Congo and Gabon. Ceremonial use of ibogaine can be traced back centuries to Bwiti, a Gabonese initiation ritual and spiritual discipline. Its most well-documented clinical application is in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs), particularly opioid addiction. Unlike existing pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders that require ongoing dosing, ibogaine can significantly reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings with a single dose, enabling sustained abstinence or reduced drug use for months thereafter. It interacts with multiple neurotransmitter systems, leading to long-term cessation of compulsive behavior. Ibogaine stabilizes serotonin levels, supporting mood regulation, and dampens dopamine-driven pathways associated with the brain’s reward system, often implicated in the cycle of addiction.
Beyond its effects on the behavioral patterns of addiction, ibogaine also facilitates profound, often transformational emotional processing. Its psychoactive effects unfold in two distinct phases: an initial visual phase and a secondary introspective phase. During this latter phase, participants report experiences of unique insight into the roots of their addiction, calm and rational confrontation of past traumas, and a newfound sense of detachment from compulsive behaviors.
While these benefits offer hope for transformative change, ibogaine’s risk profile demands meticulous oversight and careful management. A thoughtfully constructed care team made up of providers who thoroughly understand the scope of their individual practice is crucial to safe and efficacious care. Trained professional therapists and medical providers are essential in guiding clients through the preparatory phase, supporting them during lengthy medicine administration sessions, and gently guiding their integration process afterwards.
Ibogaine can cause severe side effects, including cardiac complications such as arrhythmias and QT interval prolongation—a disruption in the heart’s electrical activity that increases the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Other side effects include nausea, tremors, and rare cases of psychosis or seizures. To mitigate these risks, clinicians must include a comprehensive screening process in the preparatory stage of treatment as well as careful physiological monitoring during the medicine administration stage of treatment.
As psychedelic therapy advances, ibogaine represents a powerful frontier in the treatment of addiction and trauma. Realizing the potential ibogaine holds as a new treatment paradigm demands rigorous scientific inquiry, ethically-grounded training, and a deep commitment to compassionate care.
Interested in learning more? Join our upcoming webinar and explore ibogaine’s mechanisms, risks, and therapeutic approaches in greater depth. Register today to secure your spot.
Thanks,
Elizabeth Nielson, PhD.
Founder and CEO at Fluence
Donna Sorgen, LMHC,LPC (she/her) is a psychotherapist with over 25 years experience working with adults, children, adolescents, couples and groups. She is the Director/Owner of the Woodstock Therapy Center, a collective of practitioners providing a variety of services to the community including Ketamine Assistant Psychotherapy (KAP), psychiatric services , psychotherapy and holistic modalities.
Donna has spent her career working with diverse clients in multiple settings. Her current private practice includes KAP, Psychotherapy and Psychedelic integration therapy.
Donna has completed training in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). She was a sushi chef, caterer and enjoys the outdoors and gardening.
Join us this month on Riverside, a Zoom alternative for high quality recording, for a grounded, wide-ranging conversation about ibogaine’s role in healing. Moderated by Dr. Lauren Okano, this session highlights the insights of Dr. Bruno Rasmussen Chaves, a physician who has treated over 2,000 patients with ibogaine in Brazil, and W. Bryan Hubbard, Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative through the REID Foundation.
Together, they’ll explore ibogaine’s traditional spiritual roots, its real-world use in clinical settings today, and the evolving policy and research landscape shaping its future. From the challenges of ensuring safety and access, to the ethical questions around equity and sustainability, this discussion offers a nuanced look at what it means to work responsibly with this powerful and complex medicine.
Whether you're a clinician, researcher, policy advocate, or practitioner working across systems of care, you’ll leave with insights on:
How ibogaine has been used historically and where it's being used now
What clinical care looks like in contexts like Brazil and Mexico
Who is currently accessing ibogaine and who remains excluded
What research and practice are revealing (and what we still need to learn)
How to support ethical, sustainable, and effective care going forward
The webinar will conclude with a live Q&A.
We will send out a recording of this webinar to everyone who registers for the event. Be sure to register even if you will not be able to attend the webinar live.
Date: June 26th, 2025 | Thursday
Time: 12 PM - 1 PM ET
Curious about training in psychedelic therapy but unsure where to begin?We’d love to help you gain clarity on how one of our courses fits into your path. Schedule a free 1-on-1 info call with Kabir Cooppan-Boyd, Marketing & Communications Manager at Fluence, dedicated to guiding you on your learning journey. During your call, Kabir can answer your questions and explain how our courses connect to professional certificates in:Psilocybin FacilitationKetamine-Assisted PsychotherapyPsychedelic Harm Reduction and IntegrationIf you’re a clinician with questions or curiosity about our programs, this personalized conversation is the perfect way to find your best next step.
Schedule your free 1-on-1 call with Kabir
Thinking of starting your training this summer? Don’t wait. Tuition increases are coming this August, but there’s still time to lock in 2024 rates. By enrolling in a June or July session of Essentials of Psychedelic Therapy, you’ll secure your spot—and save up to $500 before the new pricing goes into effect. Start your journey now and move toward certification in Psilocybin Facilitation, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, or Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration at the current, lower rate.
Certificate Programs
All certificate programs start with our six-week Essentials of Psychedelic Therapy course, with the June 2025 Essentials course taught by Donna Sorgen, LMHC.
Psilocybin Facilitation
Jun 26, 2025 - Apr 11, 2026
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Jun 26 - Dec 16, 2025
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy
Jun 26 - Dec 8, 2025
Standalone Courses
Psychedelics and Psychoanalysis
Oct 16 - Dec - 11, 2025
Expanding the Self: Buddhism and Psychedelic Therapy
Sep 24 - Nov 19, 2025
Texas lawmakers have approved a bill to fund clinical trials of ibogaine, a psychedelic being studied for opioid addiction and PTSD.The program, aimed at supporting FDA-approved research, positions Texas as a leader in psychedelic science.
Psilocybin could offer new hope for Parkinson’s patients.In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at UCSF found that high doses of psilocybin improved mood, cognition, and motor symptoms in people with Parkinson’s—benefits that lasted for months. A larger trial is now underway.
Psychedelic research gains momentum in Japan.Dr. Hiroyuki Uchida, a leading voice in Japanese psychiatry, discusses the country's cautious but growing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy—and what it will take to move research forward in a culturally conservative system.
