Stanford identifies African plant to help veterans with brain injuries

War wounds that remain unseen haunt many veterans long after they've returned home. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), often stemming from combat related incidents, have become a harrowing hallmark of post war life, ushering in a wave of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and tragic rates of suicide among military veterans.

Yet, treatments capable of alleviating the enduring impacts of TBIs have been scarce, leaving a bleak outlook for many who've served. Researchers at Stanford University have unearthed a potential game changer: ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound derived from the roots of the African shrub iboga.

Their latest study, slated for online publication in on January 5, paints a promising picture for veterans grappling with TBI induced psychological trauma. "This is a significant breakthrough. Ibogaine, combined with magnesium for cardiac protection, has shown remarkable efficacy in mitigating PTSD, anxiety, and depression while enhancing overall functionality in veterans coping with TBI," emphasized Dr.

Nolan Williams, one of the study's lead authors and an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford. The pursuit of alternatives has been a crucial endeavor, given the limited success of conventional treatments. stemming from external forces like blasts or collisions provoke changes in brain function and structure, giving rise to an array of neuropsychiatric symptoms that have been notably resistant to conventional therapies.

The allure of ibogaine lies not only in its historical use in spiritual and healing ceremonies but also in recent scientific inquiries into its potential. Although designated a Schedule I drug in the U.S. since 1970, impeding its domestic use, clinics in Mexico and Canada legally offer ibogaine treatments.

Dr. Williams elaborated, "There were whispers of success from veterans who sought treatment abroad, citing remarkable improvements. Our goal was to scientifically substantiate these claims through rigorous clinical and neurobiological assessments." The study involved 30 veterans from U.S. special forces, each with a history of TBI and repeated blast exposures, facing severe psychiatric symptoms and functional limitations.

They voluntarily sought treatment involving a combination of magnesium and oral ibogaine at a Mexican clinic under medical supervision. "Before treatment, these veterans were grappling with significant disability, PTSD, anxiety, and depression," Dr. Williams stated. "But within a month of ibogaine therapy, we witnessed profound transformations." Life changing results for post war trauma The outcomes were nothing short of life altering.

On average, veterans showed immediate and sustained improvements in functionality, experiencing drastic reductions in PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms post treatment. The Disability Assessment Scale dropped from indicating mild to moderate disability to none, painting a . Cognitive testing revealed improved concentration, information processing, memory, and impulsivity.

The stories from participants underscored the magnitude of change. Craig, a Navy veteran, confessed, "I dismissed my TBI struggles until I forgot my wife's name. Since ibogaine, my cognitive abilities have fully returned, enhancing my work and family life." Similarly, Sean, a six time combat deployer, revealed, "Ibogaine lifted the storm that clouded my life." Notably, ibogaine administration didn't yield serious side effects or cardiac issues, contrary to concerns associated with the compound.

Dr. Williams and his team remain eager to delve deeper into the data, exploring brain scans to unravel ibogaine's impact on cognition and planning further investigations into TBI treatment. Moreover, they see ibogaine's potential extending beyond TBI therapy, envisioning broader applications in addressing PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

The study, independently funded by philanthropic contributions, signals a hopeful turning point in the treatment landscape for veterans haunted by the invisible scars of war. As Dr. Williams optimistically concludes, "Ibogaine may just be the breakthrough we've been searching for, not just for TBI but potentially for a spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions.".