About Iboga & Ibogaine

Iboga is a sacred plant medicine native to Central West Africa, traditionally used by the Bwiti people for deep healing, spiritual initiation, and connection to ancestral wisdom. The plant contains ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound that has shown significant potential in treating addiction—particularly to opioids, stimulants, and alcohol—as well as trauma-related conditions.

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Ibogaine helps individuals work through trauma by inducing a state in the brain similar to the REM sleep cycle when dreaming and memory consolidation occur. PTSD symptoms include debilitating nightmares and flashbacks of past experiences. Our patients consistently report reduction or elimination of these long-standing symptoms. Ibogaine exhibits promising treatment for mTBI and degenerative brain diseases because it is a neuro-regenerative compound.

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Ibogaine upregulates the Glial Cell-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in parts of the dopaminergic system of the brain. BDNF supports the survival of cells and promotes the growth and differentiation of new neurons, and dysregulation of NGF is related to neurodegenerative diseases. It also modulates activity in the NMDA neurotransmitter system, which is involved in learning and unlearning addictive patterns.

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The increase of these neurotrophic factors by ibogaine has the potential to heal a damaged brain at the neuronal level.

It is known as an “addiction interrupter” because of its ability to break addictive patterns of several substances, including opioid pills, heroin, crack/cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamines, and nicotine. Ibogaine helps regulate and heal the brain’s dopamine system.

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Safety, Legality, and Emerging Research

Ibogaine is currently classified as a Schedule I substance in the U.S., making it illegal to possess or administer domestically. Because of this, the Solas Foundation works exclusively with clinics in countries where ibogaine treatment is legal and medically supervised.

However, momentum is building for change. In Texas, recent legislation has opened the door for state-funded research into psychedelic therapies, including ibogaine, as a potential treatment for PTSD and substance use disorders—particularly for veterans. This marks a significant step toward broader recognition and regulation of ibogaine in the U.S.

Though not FDA-approved, ibogaine has been the subject of multiple clinical studies, and institutions like Stanford and Johns Hopkins are exploring its potential. As the science progresses, so does the hope for more accessible and supported care.

At the Solas Foundation, we are committed to responsible access—ensuring each person receives not only the treatment itself but also the structure, care, and follow-through that fosters genuine transformation.