# @nickpappasmd on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DXVXAHrjXfR
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/64218325-nickpappasmd-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/969b8235d8.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-04-20T00:42:46.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Nick Pappas, MD (@nickpappasmd) — https://gondola.cc/nickpappasmd

## Caption

Ibogaine: cure… or just hype? 🤔💊

As an orthopedic surgeon who routinely prescribes opioids when indicated and often sees patients who are already taking suboxone, I'm always curious to learn about any new possible treatment for opioid addiction.

👉 But what exactly is ibogaine?

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive (psychedelic) compound extracted from the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga, a plant native to West Africa.

🧠 What does it do?

Ibogaine has powerful effects on the brain, including:

* Interacts with dopamine, serotonin, and NMDA receptors
* May “reset” reward pathways involved in addiction
* Produces a long, intense psychedelic experience (often 12–24+ hours)

👉 This is why it’s being studied for opioid addiction treatment.

📚 As for Joe Rogan’s statement, a 2017 study (PMID: 30272050) by Alan K. Davis looked at 88 patients treated with ibogaine in Mexico for opioid addiction 🇲🇽. There are several other studies on ibogaine, but I just chose this one since it appeared that Joe Rogan was referencing it when he quoted the 80% statistic.

Here’s what the study showed 👇

💥 80% said withdrawal symptoms were dramatically reduced
⚠️ BUT… about 70% relapsed at some point
📉 Only ~30% reported staying off opioids long-term

👉 Translation:
Ibogaine may help with short-term withdrawal, but it’s not a proven “cure”

🚨 And remember:

* This was self-reported data
* No randomized control group
* Small sample size

🧠 Bottom line:
Interesting results… but high-quality randomized trials are needed before we call this a cure for opioid addiction.  Also, it is important to note that there are potential side effects of ibogaine such as cardiac arrhythmias.

#evidencebasedmedicine #opioidcrisis #Ibogaine

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## Tags

ibogaine, evidencebasedmedicine, opioidcrisis

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