The State of Ibogaine: A Psychedelic Science Recap

This episode is a little different. Join host Amanda Siebert for an ibogaine-focused recap of the 2023 MAPS Psychedelic Science conference. This episode features audio clips from the closing ceremony featuring Norma Lotsof, and an in-person interview with David Nassim, the co-director of Blessings of the Forest.

Topics of discussion:

• three ongoing ibogaine studies and the researchers behind them

• Lucy Walker’s latest film, Of Night and Light: The Story of Iboga and Ibogaine, and the (long overdue) recognition of Norma Lotsof

• the role of veterans in relation to psychedelic policy

• efforts in Kentucky to study ibogaine for opioid use disorder

• the implications of increased ibogaine use in North America for communities in Gabon (where iboga is harvested)

• the important work of the non-profit organization Blessings of the Forest

Why it’s important: 

Amanda’s mission in attending Psychedelic Science 2023 was to learn as much as she could about where ibogaine is at, not just from a medical or political standpoint, but from a cultural one, too. Tune in to hear her relay knowledge from experts who have been critical to the support we see for ibogaine treatment and therapy, and from advocates who are doing the challenging work of ensuring that this medicine is harvested and used in a sustainable way.

Relevant Links:

• Psychedelic Science 2023
• Dr. Nolan Williams’ Pilot Study
• Dr. Jose Carlos Bouso’s Pilot Study
• Dr. Deborah Mash’s Study
• Lucy Walker on Instagram
• Of Night and Light on Deadline.com
• Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)
• Recent Lucid News story on Kentucky initiative by Noah Daly
• Blessings of the Forest
• ICCERS
• Indigenous Medicine Conservations Fund