Ibogaine is both a ‘medication’ and a herbal supplement. The overlap is because ibogaine has never been approved as a medication. Despite this it has garnered alot of attention as a possible medication.

Like many similar examples ibogaine is based on traditional herbal treatments. However the difference between ibogaine and other sis the history. Most modern supplement that claim benefits are a relatively recent product. Iboghaine has a much longer history.

The first commercial use of ibogaine is from the end of the 20 th century. It was tested extensively and found to have mixed and unreliable results. This meant there was interest but also significant demerits.

The biggest demerit was that ibogaine was sourced from pygmy tribes of central Africa. These tribes had used the plant source for a very long time. After french colonisation it spread to Europe.

The problem is that plant it was sourced from is local to central Africa. Europeans with an interests and especially pharmaceutical companies would have trouble getting raw materials. The solution came in the 1950s where it was partially synthesised.

The reason ibogaine has so much interest is how people and researchers believe it may be useful in addiction management. Ibogaine is supposed to be especially useful for opioids.

The mixed success and functions of ibogaine have led to it being treated drastically different in various countries. Some ignore it, some see it as a supplement and some see it as a drug needing to be highly regulated.