In the wake of the most serious drug epidemic America has ever seen, the need for addiction treatment that works has never been greater. Opioid addiction (mainly prescription pills and heroin) has skyrocketed over the past decade. Heroin-related deaths have more than quadrupled since 2010. And while effective treatment for this deadly epidemic is now needed more than ever, traditional drug rehab programs only work a small percentage of the time. And it’s not just drug rehab that isn’t working. People seeking treatment for alcohol addiction in traditional rehab facilities are finding themselves returning time and time again. It’s estimated that 40-60 percent of people who attend rehab will relapse. And with most drug and alcohol rehabilitation based around the 12-step programs, many people are being left behind. There’s got to be another way. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and the 12-step principles around which this program is based, was founded way back in 1935. It has since become tightly woven into the foundation of traditional addiction treatment in the US. Of the countless treatment centers and rehabs available to treat drug and alcohol addiction, most are loosely based upon the ideals AA upholds. While statistics on the success rates of AA are hard to come by, there’s evidence that shows they are not very effective for long-term sobriety. And while most people think of AA as the one and only solution to addiction, they only believe this because it’s all they have really been exposed to. The problem is, we lack exposure to alternative methods. When people choose to get treatment for addiction, they’re obviously looking to end their addiction for good. No one wants to relapse, but, unfortunately, relapse is now considered normal. Very few addicts check into rehab expecting to fail. But the reality is, rehab, in the traditional sense, isn’t working for well over half of the people that go in for treatment. And it’s been this way for years. The reason? Because, even as the science and understanding behind addiction has changed drastically over the past 80 years since the advent of AA, treatment is still based off these outdated principles. One of the biggest problems in the philosophy of AA is the belief that if the program doesn’t work for someone. All the blame rests on the individual. If the 12-steps aren’t working then somehow the individual is deeply flawed. Because, according to AA’s bible, The Big Book, “those who do not recover are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this simple program, usually men and women who are constitutionally incapable of being honest with themselves.” In this sense, if AA doesn’t work then it seems that the individual just can’t be honest enough with themselves to overcome their addiction. The belief that AA and 12 step programs is the answer is so deeply ingrained in the general population of the US that it’s these very programs that are backed by doctors and therapists alike. Court mandated AA meetings are the norm and these 12 step programs are always the answer in the eyes of the powers that be. If they work so well, however, why are we seeing people check into rehab time and time again for the same addiction? Why are relapse rates through the roof, and why are so many people falling victim to overdose? There needs to be another way. For the 10 percent of people AA is working for, great. But that still leaves 90 percent of people lost in the depths of an addiction from which they can’t find a way out. Alternatives to these glorified treatments need to be recognized and looked at seriously for the potential they contain. Science based treatments like Ibogaine treatment and other psychedelic medicines have shown amazing potential. These treatments don’t focus on the “inability within a person to be honest with themselves about their addiction”, but rather allows a person to take an honest look at the reasons behind their addiction in the first place. These treatments work like nothing else, which means they may work exceptionally well–and especially for those who aren’t finding success through traditional programs. A look inside one’s subconscious mind and reasons for the addiction is something these psychedelic treatments offer. This is something you won’t find in any traditional rehab programs. It’s science over tradition. Psychedelic treatments like Ibogaine aren’t the typical 28-day inpatient rehab program most people are familiar with. They are raw and very effective–with programs usually lasting a week. And while we have been sold on the idea that psychedelics are just as dangerous and addictive as heroin itself, this couldn’t be further from the truth. These psychedelic medicines have been used for thousands of years for healing and guidance by many different cultures. They are non-addictive, non-habit forming, and they bring insight into the psychological aspect of addiction that cannot be found in any traditional program. It’s time to let go of the idea that one addiction treatment, set in place almost a century ago, works for everyone. It simply isn’t working. No one deserves to be blamed for an endless cycle of relapse and rehab simply because the treatment isn’t working. Especially when there are other options available. Psychedelic treatment is extremely effective and it’s time we give it proper respect and attention. The post The Opiate Epidemic and the Need for Psychedelic Medicine appeared first on Crossroads Research Initiative. via Crossroads Research Initiative https://crossroadsibogaine.com/psychedelic-medicine/opiate-epidemic-need-psychedelic-medicine/
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There’s been a surge in psychedelic medicine over the past decade. Ayahuasca is something almost everyone’s heard of, and ibogaine’s becoming one of the most sought after addiction treatments. Psilocybin treats cluster headaches and depression, and MDMA is making amazing progress for treating PTSD and anxiety. And as we move steadily into the new millennium we’re starting to see a lot more people take notice of this. The Early History of Psychedelic Medicine Research on psychedelics isn’t anything new. Before the 1960s, psychedelics weren’t just studied, they were respected. LSD showed great promise in treating addiction and was studied for its efficacy against many different psychological disorders. Long before this, however, psychedelic plants were being used in various ritual ceremonies and among various native tribes around the world. There’s also strong evidence that cultural use of psychotropic plants has been happening for centuries. Peyote has been used ceremonially since 1000BC and is an integral part of Native American culture. Psilocybin is central to Aztec tribes. How long psychedelic mushrooms were used by them is unknown because Roman Catholic missionaries destroyed most records in Mexico. Rock paintings of mushrooms and temples dedicated to mushroom gods go back to 7000BC, however. The history of psychedelics is long. And if those stand behind the medicinal benefits they offer can continue to research these beneficial effects, their history is far from over. The “Recent” History of Psychedelic Medicine During the mid-20th century, chemists and other scientists started taking more interest in natural psychedelic substances and began to make new synthetic compounds that imitated what was found in nature. They then gave them to their friends. The very early days of modern psychedelic research was done with private patients and friends of scientists, researchers, and chemists. It was these friends and private patients who first dipped their toes into the strange waters of psychedelic drugs. These pioneers of psychedelic research included academics, intellectuals, research scientists, artists, writers, anthropologists, and others. The changes they experienced in consciousness sparked a revolution that is still going strong today. The early days of psychedelics included studies on LSD in anticipation of its effectiveness to treat a list of psychological disorders. The US Navy experimented with mescaline in the late 1940s as a truth serum and mescaline was studied in the early 1950s to see how good it was at replicating adrenaline. During the 1950s and 1960s, most of the research conducted on psychedelic medicine was done on LSD. It was made available for research based on the premise that it was helpful “to elicit the release of repressed material and provide mental relaxation, particularly in anxiety states and obsessional neuroses.” There were also a lot of psychiatrists at the time personally experimenting with LSD so they could “gain insight into the world and ideas and sensations of mental patients.” By the time the mid-60s rolled around, over 40,000 patients had taken LSD. The vast amount of psychedelic research that took place during the some 15 years it was studied, generated over 1,000 peer-reviewed scientific papers, several books and manuscripts, and six international conferences. What Early Psychedelic Research Revealed Of the many studies conducted on LSD during this time, the positive effects it showed on alcoholism were perhaps the most remarkable out of them all. In 1951, a study was performed on the most severe cases of alcoholism that could be found. Twenty-four patients who had been drinking uncontrollably for some 12 years and not responded to other treatments partook in the study. One single dose of LSD was given to each patient. Long-term results of this single dose found 25% of patients recovered completely and another 25% who had considerably improved. This was compared to the some 10% who responded favorably to traditional treatments of the time. Psychedelics weren’t just used to treat alcoholism. They were also studied for their effects regarding pain management. One study tested 50 patients who were critically ill and in a great deal of pain. Each patient was given Dilaudid, Demerol, and a dose of LSD so their pain-relieving properties could be measured. Results showed that the LSD not only provided better analgesic properties, but the effects lasted longer as well. This study was at the forefront of the effects LSD had on pain and inspired many further studies that all showed promising results as well. It was because of these first studies that LSD went on to show it provided superior pain relief to opiates and was used on patients to control extreme pain. These early studies on pain management with the critically ill also showed something else–LSD made them better accept (and even welcome) the impending fate that awaited them. The Ban of Psychedelic Research With as much promise LSD and other psychedelics held during the mid-20th century, nothing could stop the backlash against these substances that took place in the late 1960s. As more people discovered the effects of LSD (and they were made widely available by the pioneers that experimented with them) and other psychedelics, they were used recreationally…and became a symbol of the counterculture of that time. All psychedelics were banned by the DEA in 1970, and all research on them subsequently stopped. Suddenly, the very substances that showed so much medical promise now contained no medical benefits at all. Psychedelics were instead deemed dangerous and listed as illegal Schedule I substances. Not only were they now considered to be some of the most dangerous drugs of all, but were considered to hold high potential for abuse and had no medical use whatsoever. Although many people held onto the false notion that psychedelics were dangerous for decades, things are beginning to change. There’s a resurgence in psychedelic research, with well-respected institutions and scientists again studying the beneficial effects of psychedelic medicine. For the past two decades, people have been performing new research on psychedelics and the results are showing what many people have known for years–psychedelics make great medicine. The New Psychedelic History The new wave of psychedelic study began in 1990 when the FDA approved research on DMT (dimethyltryptamine). Four years earlier, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) was created so that MDMA could be further studied. In 1993, the Heffter Research Institute was formed, pumping some $1 million into the research of the medical benefits of psychedelics. The wave of new psychedelic research had begun, and hasn’t stopped for over 20 years. There are numerous different studies being performed around the world, and the medical benefits they offer continue to pour in. The results are coming from places like Stanford, John Hopkins University, UCLA, and NYU. People devoted to psychedelic research have revived what once showed such great promise. Psychedelics have shown to be very promising for their medical benefits, and as more people turn away from conventional treatment, they’re looking for alternatives that can help–such as ibogaine treatment. The need for medical treatments that work largely prevails over outdated (and false) claims. We’ve seen it happen with medical marijuana, and can hope that this resurgence in research is just the beginning of a revolution of healing assisted through the many benefits of psychedelic medicine. The post The New History of Psychedelic Medicine appeared first on Crossroads Research Initiative. via Crossroads Research Initiative https://crossroadsibogaine.com/psychedelic-medicine/new-history-psychedelic-medicine/ There’s been a surge in psychedelic medicine over the past decade. Ayahuasca is something almost everyone’s heard of, and ibogaine’s becoming one of the most sought ought addiction treatments there are. Psilocybin treats cluster headaches and PTSD, and MDMA is making amazing progress for treating trauma and depression. And as we move steadily into the new millennium we’re starting to see a lot more people take notice of this. The Early History of Psychedelic Medicine Research on psychedelics isn’t anything new. Before the 1960s, psychedelics weren’t just studied, they were respected. LSD showed great promise in treating addiction and was studied for its efficacy against many different psychological disorders. Long before this, however, psychedelic plants were being used in various ritual ceremonies and among various native tribes around the world. There’s also strong evidence that cultural use of psychotropic plants has been happening for centuries. Peyote has been used ceremonially since 1000BC and is an integral part of Native American culture. Psilocybin is central to Aztec tribes. How long psychedelic mushrooms were used by them is unknown because Roman Catholic missionaries destroyed most records in Mexico. Rock paintings of mushrooms and temples dedicated to mushroom gods back to 7000BC, however. The history of psychedelics is long. And if those stand behind the medicinal benefits they contain can continue to research these beneficial effects, their history is far from over. The “Recent” History of Psychedelic Medicine During the mid-20th century, chemists and other scientists started taking more interest in natural psychedelic substances and began to synthetically make new compounds that imitated what was found in nature. They then gave them out to their friends. The very early days of modern psychedelic research was done with private patients and friends of scientists, researchers, and chemists. It was these friends and private patients who first dipped their toes in the strange waters of psychedelic drugs. These pioneers of psychedelic research included professors, intellectuals, research scientists, artists, writers, anthropologists, and more. The changes they experienced in consciousness sparked a revolution that is still going strong today. The early days of psychedelics included studies on LSD in anticipation of its effectiveness to treat a list of psychological disorders. The US Navy experimented with mescaline in the late 1940s as a truth serum and mescaline was studied in the early 1950s to see how good it was at replicating adrenaline. During the 1950s and 1960s, most of the research conducted on psychedelic medicine was done on LSD. It was made available for research based on the premise that it was helpful “to elicit the release of repressed material and provide mental relaxation, particularly in anxiety states and obsessional neuroses.” There were also a lot of psychiatrists at the time personally experimenting with LSD so they could “gain insight into the world and ideas and sensations of mental patients.” By the time the mid-60s rolled around, over 40,000 patients had taken LSD. The vast amount of psychedelic research that took place during the some 15 years it was studied, generated over 1,000 scientific papers, several books and manuscripts, and several international conferences. What Early Psychedelic Research Revealed Of the many studies conducted on LSD during this time, the positive effects it showed on alcoholism were perhaps the most remarkable out of them all. In 1951, a study was performed on the most severe cases of alcoholism that could be found. Twenty-four patients who had been drinking uncontrollably for some 12 years and not responded to other treatments partook in the study. One single dose of LSD was given to each patient. Long-term results of this single dose found 25% of patients recovered completely, and another 25% who had considerably improved. This was compared to the some 10% who responded favorably to traditional treatments of the time. Psychedelics weren’t just used to treat alcoholism. They were also studied for their effects regarding pain management. One study tested 50 patients who were critically ill and in a great deal of pain. Each patient was given Dilaudid, Demerol, and a dose of LSD so their pain-relieving properties could be measured. Results showed that the LSD not only provided better analgesic properties, but the effects lasted longer as well. This study was at the forefront of the effects LSD had on pain and inspired many further studies that all showed promising results as well. It because of these first studies that LSD went on to show it provided superior pain relief to opiates and was used on patients to control extreme pain. These early studies on pain management with the critically ill also showed something else–LSD made them better accept (and even welcome) the impending fate that awaited them. The Ban of Psychedelic Research With as much promise LSD and other psychedelics held during the mid-20th century, nothing could stop the backlash against these substances that took place in the late 1960s. As more people discovered the effects of LSD (and they were made widely available by the pioneers that experimented with them) and other psychedelics, they were used recreationally…and became a symbol of the counterculture of that time. All psychedelics were banned by the DEA in 1967, and all research on them subsequently stopped. Suddenly, the very substances that showed so much medical promise now contained no medical benefits at all. Psychedelics were instead deemed dangerous and listed as a Schedule Class I Substance. Not only were they now considered to be some of the most dangerous drugs of all, but were considered to hold high potential for abuse and no medical advantages whatsoever. Although many people held onto the false notion that psychedelics were dangerous for decades, things are beginning to change. There’s a resurgence in psychedelic research, with well-respected institutions and scientists again studying the beneficial effects of psychedelic medicine. For the past two decades, people have been performing new research on psychedelics and the results are showing what many people have known for years–psychedelics make great medicine. The New Psychedelic History The new wave of psychedelic study began in 1990 when the FDA approved research on DMT (dimethyltryptamine). Four years earlier, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) was created so that MDMA could be further studied. In 1993, the Heffter Research Institute was formed, pumping some $1million into the research of the medical benefits of psychedelics. The wave of new psychedelic research began, and hasn’t stopped for over 20 years. There are numerous different studies being performed around the world, and the medical benefits they contain continue to pour in. And the results are coming from places like Stanford, John Hopkins University, UCLA, and the University of New Mexico. People devoted to psychedelic research have revived what once showed such great promise. Psychedelics have shown to be very promising for their medical benefits, and as more people turn away from conventional treatment, they’re looking for alternatives that can help–such as ibogaine treatment. The need for medical treatments that work largely prevails over outdated (and false) claims. We’ve seen it happen with medical marijuana, and can hope that this resurgence in research is just the beginning of a revolution of healing assisted through the many benefits of psychedelic medicine. The post The New History of Psychedelic Medicine Copy appeared first on Crossroads Research Initiative. via Crossroads Research Initiative https://crossroadsibogaine.com/psychedelic-medicine/new-history-psychedelic-medicine-copy-2/ It’s no secret that there’s a heroin epidemic raging across the US. Addiction statistics are off the charts when it comes to heroin use, and it’s affecting practically every demographic there is. Those most at risk? Quite often it’s those who have suffered an injury who run the greatest possibility of becoming someone who’s hooked on heroin. How Can Painkillers Prescribed for an Injury Lead to Heroin Use? It all stem from the prescription pain medication prescribed after someone’s suffered an injury. This means that many who get hurt (from teen athletes injured in sports to someone who slipped and broke their ankle) are given painkillers to take until their symptoms improve. The thing is, most of these prescription pain pills hold high potential for addiction–and this addiction is what often leads to heroin use. Heroin offers similar effects to prescription meds. It feeds addiction almost exactly the same way as painkillers do, and does so at a fraction of the cost. Painkillers can be expensive (and difficult to attain) on the black market, and heroin’s something that’s cheap. Not only that, but it’s readily available pretty much everywhere. So, once the addiction sets in, many search for more pain medications. After being addicted to pain medication addicts seek a cheaper solution, which often leads to heroin use. Prescription Medication Causes Dependency Prescription painkillers are also known as opioids. They work by reducing the amount of pain signals that reach the brain while influencing certain areas in the brain that control emotion. And while they certainly do provide pain relief (and sometimes feeling of euphoria), they are also causing the biggest opioid epidemic we have ever experienced. The increasing number of deaths from opioid addiction has reached a new high. The most commonly prescribed painkillers (oxycodone and hydrocodone) happen to be the ones involved in more deaths than any other opioid there is. Hydrocodone Hydrocodone, commonly known as Vicodin, is the most prescribed painkiller in the US. It’s also shown to be connected to more drug abuse than any other opioid there is. It’s a Schedule Class II Substance, and shows high potential for addiction. Withdrawal symptoms of hydrocodone include:
Oxycodone Oxycodone is another prescription opioid known as Percocet or OxyContin. This commonly prescribed painkiller is another that shows great potential for abuse. When dependent upon oxycodone, withdrawal symptoms include:
People are prescribed these pills because they’re hurt, and the next thing they know they’re fully dependent on them. Don’t take them and feel like you’re dying. Continue taking them and feel like your normal. It’s no wonder that opioid addiction has tripled over the last ten years and overdose rates are out of control. In 2014, more than 6 out of 10 drug overdoses were from opioids (prescription painkillers and heroin). Prescription opioids saw the highest number of deaths (5,550) that same year, which was twice as many as the year before. Prescriptions of opioids have increased tenfold since 1990. Consequently, during this time we’ve also seen an increase in the number of people addicted to prescription pills. Along with this comes a dramatic rise in the number of heroin addicts. From Injury to Addiction For those that suffer an injury, prescription painkillers are often necessary. From the football player who suffered one too many concussions to the skier that broke their leg on the slopes, painkillers like oxycodone and hydrocodone are prescribed every single day. And for some, once the injury has healed, they find the desire to continue taking their painkillers somewhat overwhelming. When someone continually takes opioids over a period of time (like someone with an injury would do), the brain begins to change. It begins to only feel “normal” when opioids are present and functions irregularly when they’re not. Once someone’s been on painkillers for a while, there often becomes a need to take more to feel this “desired” effect. Because of the changes that have taken place in the brain, dependency is something that becomes common. It’s addiction, and it’s happening to an alarming number of people prescribed pills for pain. What’s caused by something that was supposed to benefit the body often ends up destroying it instead. When someone realizes they’re addicted to pills and can get heroin cheaper they are likely to move to heroin addiction. The connection between injuries and addiction is real. Understanding this not only helps people better understand how some addiction starts, but can prevent someone from becoming addicted after they’ve suffered an injury and are prescribed medication. If you or a loved one are addicted to prescription pills or heroin contact Crossroads Ibogaine for more information on how ibogaine treatment can be effective for treating your addiction. The post Addiction After Injury: How Painkillers are Causing Heroin Addiction Copy appeared first on Crossroads Research Initiative. via Crossroads Research Initiative https://crossroadsibogaine.com/heroin-addiction/painkillers-causing-heroin-addiction-copy/ There’s been a surge in psychedelic medicine over the past decade. Ayahuasca is something almost everyone’s heard of, and ibogaine’s becoming one of the most sought ought addiction treatments there are. Psilocybin treats cluster headaches and PTSD, and MDMA is making amazing progress for treating trauma and depression. And as we move steadily into the new millennium we’re starting to see a lot more people take notice of this. The Early History of Psychedelic Medicine Research on psychedelics isn’t anything new. Before the 1960s, psychedelics weren’t just studied, they were respected. LSD showed great promise in treating addiction and was studied for its efficacy against many different psychological disorders. Long before this, however, psychedelic plants were being used in various ritual ceremonies and among various native tribes around the world. There’s also strong evidence that cultural use of psychotropic plants has been happening for centuries. Peyote has been used ceremonially since 1000BC and is an integral part of Native American culture. Psilocybin is central to Aztec tribes. How long psychedelic mushrooms were used by them is unknown because Roman Catholic missionaries destroyed most records in Mexico. Rock paintings of mushrooms and temples dedicated to mushroom gods back to 7000BC, however. The history of psychedelics is long. And if those stand behind the medicinal benefits they contain can continue to research these beneficial effects, their history is far from over. The “Recent” History of Psychedelic Medicine During the mid-20th century, chemists and other scientists started taking more interest in natural psychedelic substances and began to synthetically make new compounds that imitated what was found in nature. They then gave them out to their friends. The very early days of modern psychedelic research was done with private patients and friends of scientists, researchers, and chemists. It was these friends and private patients who first dipped their toes in the strange waters of psychedelic drugs. These pioneers of psychedelic research included professors, intellectuals, research scientists, artists, writers, anthropologists, and more. The changes they experienced in consciousness sparked a revolution that is still going strong today. The early days of psychedelics included studies on LSD in anticipation of its effectiveness to treat a list of psychological disorders. The US Navy experimented with mescaline in the late 1940s as a truth serum and mescaline was studied in the early 1950s to see how good it was at replicating adrenaline. During the 1950s and 1960s, most of the research conducted on psychedelic medicine was done on LSD. It was made available for research based on the premise that it was helpful “to elicit the release of repressed material and provide mental relaxation, particularly in anxiety states and obsessional neuroses.” There were also a lot of psychiatrists at the time personally experimenting with LSD so they could “gain insight into the world and ideas and sensations of mental patients.” By the time the mid-60s rolled around, over 40,000 patients had taken LSD. The vast amount of psychedelic research that took place during the some 15 years it was studied, generated over 1,000 scientific papers, several books and manuscripts, and several international conferences. What Early Psychedelic Research Revealed Of the many studies conducted on LSD during this time, the positive effects it showed on alcoholism were perhaps the most remarkable out of them all. In 1951, a study was performed on the most severe cases of alcoholism that could be found. Twenty-four patients who had been drinking uncontrollably for some 12 years and not responded to other treatments partook in the study. One single dose of LSD was given to each patient. Long-term results of this single dose found 25% of patients recovered completely, and another 25% who had considerably improved. This was compared to the some 10% who responded favorably to traditional treatments of the time. Psychedelics weren’t just used to treat alcoholism. They were also studied for their effects regarding pain management. One study tested 50 patients who were critically ill and in a great deal of pain. Each patient was given Dilaudid, Demerol, and a dose of LSD so their pain-relieving properties could be measured. Results showed that the LSD not only provided better analgesic properties, but the effects lasted longer as well. This study was at the forefront of the effects LSD had on pain and inspired many further studies that all showed promising results as well. It because of these first studies that LSD went on to show it provided superior pain relief to opiates and was used on patients to control extreme pain. These early studies on pain management with the critically ill also showed something else–LSD made them better accept (and even welcome) the impending fate that awaited them. The Ban of Psychedelic Research With as much promise LSD and other psychedelics held during the mid-20th century, nothing could stop the backlash against these substances that took place in the late 1960s. As more people discovered the effects of LSD (and they were made widely available by the pioneers that experimented with them) and other psychedelics, they were used recreationally…and became a symbol of the counterculture of that time. All psychedelics were banned by the DEA in 1967, and all research on them subsequently stopped. Suddenly, the very substances that showed so much medical promise now contained no medical benefits at all. Psychedelics were instead deemed dangerous and listed as a Schedule Class I Substance. Not only were they now considered to be some of the most dangerous drugs of all, but were considered to hold high potential for abuse and no medical advantages whatsoever. Although many people held onto the false notion that psychedelics were dangerous for decades, things are beginning to change. There’s a resurgence in psychedelic research, with well-respected institutions and scientists again studying the beneficial effects of psychedelic medicine. For the past two decades, people have been performing new research on psychedelics and the results are showing what many people have known for years–psychedelics make great medicine. The New Psychedelic History The new wave of psychedelic study began in 1990 when the FDA approved research on DMT (dimethyltryptamine). Four years earlier, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) was created so that MDMA could be further studied. In 1993, the Heffter Research Institute was formed, pumping some $1million into the research of the medical benefits of psychedelics. The wave of new psychedelic research began, and hasn’t stopped for over 20 years. There are numerous different studies being performed around the world, and the medical benefits they contain continue to pour in. And the results are coming from places like Stanford, John Hopkins University, UCLA, and the University of New Mexico. People devoted to psychedelic research have revived what once showed such great promise. Psychedelics have shown to be very promising for their medical benefits, and as more people turn away from conventional treatment, they’re looking for alternatives that can help–such as ibogaine treatment. The need for medical treatments that work largely prevails over outdated (and false) claims. We’ve seen it happen with medical marijuana, and can hope that this resurgence in research is just the beginning of a revolution of healing assisted through the many benefits of psychedelic medicine. The post The New History of Psychedelic Medicine Copy appeared first on Crossroads Research Initiative. via Crossroads Research Initiative https://crossroadsibogaine.com/psychedelic-medicine/new-history-psychedelic-medicine-copy/ More and more people are taking Ibogaine as they discover its amazing benefits. Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance that is said to alleviate the physical symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Ibogaine is made from a root bark and the medicine has been used for thousands of years as a rite of passage in parts of Africa. In America, it’s been used in a secretive and illicit way since the 1960s for spiritual development and addiction treatment. Ibogaine is a Schedule I controlled dangerous substance under State and federal law. Due to legal restrictions of Ibogaine in the US, there hasn’t been the opportunity for much clinical research. Since ibogaine is illegal in the United States, American patients travel to foreign countries for treatment. Ibogaine is legal but unregulated in Canada and Mexico. New Zealand, South Africa, and Brazil authorize the use of ibogaine by licensed medical practitioners and is an approved medicine.
Wendell Beitzel, a Maryland Republican Member of House of Delegates submitted a proposal to re-introduce a bill in the next General Assembly session to study ibogaine. Wendell’s wife, provided extensive research for the legislative approval. This bill would provide ibogaine treatment at participating health care facilities targeting opioid addicts who have not responded to conventional treatments, such as suboxone and methadone for opioid dependence. President Trump declared America’s opioid crisis a public health emergency. According to Beitzel, Maryland drug and alcohol deaths are at an all-time high. Of all intoxication deaths 86% were opioid-related last year. Beitzel and his wife know from personal experience with their son, an opiate addict, that ibogaine healed him of his addition. We have to pass this bill so that we can research ways to institutionalize ibogaine treatment in a way that is accessible and effective for all people. For the thousands of people in this country who are struggling and dying in the grips of opiate addiction. If this bill passes, the first Ibogaine Treatment Pilot Program would be set to begin by January 1, 2019 and be approved for research for up to four years. This bill specifies that during the treatment of ibogaine, the patients will be evaluated on the effectiveness of Ibogaine compared to conventional treatment methods. The General Assembly’s bill demonstrates a recognition that addiction is a disease and that recovery is possible. The need to pass the bill could not be more urgent for the many hundreds of thousands across Maryland and the United States of America who are facing the disease of addiction and for the loved ones of those who have already lost their lives to this disease. This bill comes at a very important time for America’s opioid crisis. The American Society of Addiction Medicine estimates that there’s nearly 2.6 million Americans with an opioid addiction.
Ibogaine remains a Schedule I drug, even as the opioid crisis continues to grow. This is the first time ibogaine has come up as a topic in mainstream media regarding the opioid crisis. I believe it is the wave of decriminalisation/legalisation of marijuana that has created a backdrop to finally introduce scientific research of ibogaine in America. Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has had some success introducing clinical trials of Ibogaine in other countries where Ibogaine is legal. A past research study sponsored by MAPS in Mexico and New Zealand, both show that a single treatment of ibogaine, for reasons unknown, someone could go cold turkey from opiates without any physical or mental symptoms of withdrawal. Just one treatment of ibogaine can reset the brain’s neurochemistry freeing the drug user from a destructive pattern of abuse. Whereas, traditional treatment methods like suboxone or methadone, need to be taken continuously, and can be addictive. This bill may not be easy to pass as traditional opiate treatments today provide big incentives for Big Pharma: Suboxone and Methadone are drugs that require daily use for extended periods of time whereas ibogaine, with its one treatment, threatens the very order of things.
Due to the success of ibogaine healing addicts, ibogaine treatment centers have popped up all over the world, except here in the states. Conventional science says that anecdotes do not count but when you have several hundred cases saying that Ibogaine works to cure opioid addiction, maybe anecdotal evidence should be counted. It is clear that ibogaine is a beautiful and powerful medicine that can really help facilitate transformative growth in anyone trying to overcome addiction to become the best version of themself. Ibogaine has appeared as a ray of light for millions of people suffering with heroin addiction and overdose.
Crossroads Ibogaine is the best Treatment Center offering a 7-day ibogaine detox treatment program that’s considered to be among the best in the world. What makes Crossroads better than other ibogaine detox programs is Crossroads believes in a 3-part Ibogaine program. Part one is our precare preparation to help the patient achieve the greatest results.Part one includes a Skype or phone coaching call and an advanced medical screening where we answer any questions the patient may have prior to heading to the Bahamas for treatment. Part 2 is a safe and highly transformative plant medicine experience with the Ibogaine. During part two the patient goes through a physical evaluation by a physician prior to Ibogaine treatment and is medically supervised during treatment. Also included in part two of the Crossroads treatment are optional massages, beach time and horseback riding trips. Part 3 is an extended aftercare program, helping the patient integrate back into their lives at a licensed facility in the US. Part 3 also includes: skype or phone recovery coaching once the patient returns home, access to our social media support group, personalized integration resources and optional post-ibogaine herbal supplements.
Crossroads has helped 1000’s of guests experience Ibogaine and achieve success over addiction for over 5 years now. Check out some of our testimonials below.
Crossroads Program Testimonials
I honestly feel like you guys have an excellent program/service there. The whole process was smooth, positive, and just what I was after. I came there just wanting to be “cured” from an addiction but it did more than I thought was even possible. The addiction was just a side effect of stuff in my mind that I didn’t even know was there. That place will forever have a special place in my heart. I have my LIFE back!! THANK YOU!! (Crossroads Patient (insert what they were addicted to? Year of treatment?)
The admission process was very accommodating and fast. I wasn’t left to be in withdrawals for any of the intake process. I appreciated the staff’s warm demeanor. Changed my life forever. It’s an amazing plant medicine. Gave me 100% freedom not just from my addiction but from all my deep emotional issues as well. All I can say is WOW!!! (Crossroads Patient (insert what they were addicted to? Year of treatment?)
The program is outstanding; I felt like everything was thought of. There was nothing to worry about while I was there; all of my needs were met. The staff was so helpful and kind. I felt like everyone there was really concerned about my healing. There was no judgement. I have never been treated that way when dealing with addiction. (Crossroads Patient (insert what they were addicted to? Year of treatment?)
I’m currently getting a few of my friends who had the same problems on board and Crossroads will be seeing them soon. They are in awe of my transformation and how quickly the ibogaine treatment worked. You can tell that the doctors and staff genuinely care; had lots of great conversations with all of them. Very laid-back, relaxing vibe to the house; soo good! (Crossroads Patient(insert what they were addicted to? Year of treatment?) Fantastic location, great airy space, large rooms with high ceilings, comfortable beds. I’ve been ranting and raving already to people close to me about this treatment. Ibogaine is a serious psychedelic that you need to be careful with and your facility is excellent at making sure everything is done right and safely. (Crossroads Patient (insert what they were addicted to? Year of treatment?) The post Legal Status of Ibogaine Around the World appeared first on Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas. via Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas https://crossroadsibogaine.com/ibogaine/legal-status-of-ibogaine-around-the-world/ The post ibogaine infographic appeared first on Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas. via Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas https://crossroadsibogaine.com/addiction/ibogaine-infographic/ Crossroads Treatment Center has joined forces with the Avante Institute to usher in a new era of ibogaine Treatment. Crossroads Treatment Center has established itself as the leading healthcare provider in addiction recovery using entheogenic plant therapies. During our 18 years in Tijuana, Mexico, we built an unmatched reputation for reliability, safety, and efficacy in ibogaine treatment. This summer we felt it was time for us to proactively reposition Crossroads into a region where our clients’ safety comes first. We are pleased to announce that we will continue to offer the very best in holistic addiction recovery by partnering with the Avante Institute, a premier ibogaine treatment center, designed to offer a blend of luxury, top-tier clinical standards and resort-style amenities in the therapeutic environment of the tropical Bahamas. The relocation of Crossroads to the Bahamas has allowed us to create what we believe is the most well-designed ibogaine program and treatment experience in the world. At Crossroads, we offer a team of experienced and compassionate professionals who help our patients overcome addiction with the safest, most effective ibogaine treatments available. Our offerings include a full on-site medical staff; pre-treatment screening; real-time medical monitoring during treatment; and comprehensive pre-care and aftercare programs. Meals, consisting of fresh-caught local seafood and locally-grown organic vegetables, are designed to help the body recover and stabilize, along with a dietary program of supplemental nutrients, electrolyte therapy, and amino acid vitamin and mineral blends. Patients also have access to yoga and meditation classes at the nearby Sivananda Ashram and the spa and fitness center at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. Patients receive their treatment surrounded by meditative gardens, tropical turquoise waters, a private swimming pool and fresh ocean breezes in Avante’s beautiful and luxurious oceanfront property. The location has been carefully chosen because of its proximity to the US and the availability of multiple daily flights to suit your requirements. We strive to end the vicious cycle of addiction and transform our patients’ life in a profound and everlasting way with our one-on-one recovery coaching and therapy. Patients can feel reassured that they will have the tools to continue their sobriety upon leaving Crossroads Treatment Center. We look forward to continuing to provide a one-stop solution for our patients and their families with this collaboration. The post A New Beginning At Crossroads Bahamas appeared first on Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas. via Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Bahamas https://crossroadsibogaine.com/addiction-recovery/new-beginning-crossroads-bahamas/
Whether you’ve just finished treatment or have been in recovery for a while, it’s important to know how much of an impact your diet can have during the process. What we eat literally has everything to do with how we feel. When it comes to the addict in recovery, a healthy diet can make a tremendous impact on the way they experience the recovery process. When a person is equipped with the knowledge of what to eat and why, serious change can occur in the way they feel both mentally and physically. Nature Offers Everything We Need to Heal Many addicts don’t realize the physical toll drug abuse takes on their body. From malnutrition and dehydration that’s common amongst most addicts, to more serious health problems such as liver damage and damage to the central nervous system, addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s physical health. Nature, however, gives us everything we need to heal. Aside from activities such as yoga and mindfulness, taking a holistic approach to addiction recovery involves eating nutritious foods and taking certain supplements. Holistic healing is far removed from the cigarettes and coffee so common at the corner AA meeting. Treating the body naturally begins with offering it everything it needs to repair and recover from the damage done during addiction. Knowing what foods to avoid, as well as what to eat for the best possible recovery, can help immensely in the way you feel and how much you enjoy your newfound sobriety. Foods to Avoid When Overcoming Addiction Sugar Sugar is a common substitute for drugs or alcohol for countless people in addiction recovery. And while a sweet treat here and there is fine, reaching for candy, cookies, or cupcakes every time a craving hits can lead to an entirely new dependence. Sugar is one of the most addictive substances there is, and can cause some serious health issues when it becomes a regular part of a person’s diet. Excess sugar consumption (more than 25 grams a day) is known to cause cravings, irritability, fatigue, sugar “crash”, anxiety, hormone imbalance, and more. Caffeine Coffee is a big go-to for many people in recovery. And while it does offer a boost and can be a great way to kick start the day, it also overstimulates the central nervous system. Coffee consumption can lead to anxiety and insomnia, both of which people in recovery should avoid as much as possible. Switching to an herbal alternative, such as green tea or yerba mate, will offer a boost while keeping away the jitters. Green tea is also full of antioxidants that will help repair the radical damage that’s been done from excessive substance abuse. Processed/Artificial Foods The food a person eats while in recovery should be as close to its natural state as possible. This means processed and artificial foods should be cut out of a person’s diet completely. Foods to avoid include:
Foods that are easy and convenient often tend to be the worst for you. While they might fill you up, they do nothing for your overall health and wellness. Doing your best to avoid all processed foods can be extremely beneficial for recovery. Click here for a list of common foods that you should stay away from not only while overcoming addiction, but also as a general rule. The Best Foods to Eat During Addiction Recovery While introducing a diet full of wholesome fruits, grains, and veggies might feel difficult at first, once you get into the habit of eating well, your body will begin to crave the healthy food you offer it. Healthy Proteins Getting adequate amounts of healthy proteins is vital for people who are overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Protein is excellent at providing blood sugar stabilization (great to eat in place of sugar cravings) and works to repair tissue damage and restore damage done to organs from the hard abuse done to the body. Healthy proteins to consume during recovery include nuts, eggs, chicken, fish, turkey, and lean red meats. Healthy Fats Adequate consumption of healthy fats is essential to those going through recovery. Healthy fats are crucial to help the body absorb vitamins and other nutrients. They are also necessary for cellular repair. Avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil are all excellent types of healthy fats that can easily be added to a person’s regular diet. The omega 3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseed oils are essential to brain and overall health as well. Wholesome Fruits and Veggies The more greens and fresh foods you can add to your diet while in recovery, the better. Eating fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants can have a powerful effect on your health. Antioxidant rich foods help protect and repair the cells from damage, making them beneficial to anyone who has been struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction. Apples, blueberries, and strawberries are all fruits with a high antioxidant content. Veggies to munch on with plenty of antioxidants include broccoli and cauliflower, spinach, carrots, and bell peppers. Whole Grains When recovering from addiction, getting rid of refined carbs (white bread, flour, and pasta) is a must. Begin to replace these health hindering foods with whole grain breads and pastas, brown rice, and other grains such as quinoa, millet, or bulgur. Recovery requires adequate amounts of fiber to help the body repair the damage that’s been done to the digestive system. Fiber is also found in some fruits and veggies including mango, artichokes, and peas. It can also be found in abundance in black beans. True addiction recovery happens when a person takes the steps necessary to restore their body and mind. Nothing will help this more than a diet that is rich in everything your body needs to recover. With the excessive amount of damage addiction does to a person’s body, it might be necessary to complete change your diet. Eliminating the food that harms your body and replacing it with wholesome foods that promote health and wellbeing can be more than life-changing for addicts in recovery. The post How the Right Diet Can Help Aide in Addiction Recovery appeared first on Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Mexico. via Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Mexico https://crossroadsibogaine.com/addiction-recovery/right-diet-can-help-aide-addiction-recovery/ Alcohol addiction is the most widespread form of substance abuse disorders. Not only is alcohol legal, but it is typically encouraged as a way to relax and have a good time. According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH), there are over 15 million people in the US alone that abuse alcohol on a regular basis. And while there are countless rehab options to treat alcoholism, it’s widely known that traditional rehab doesn’t always work. The very programs that have been touted to tame the alcoholic mind for almost a hundred years (think AA and other 12-step programs) only come with a 5-10 percent success rate. And when it comes to something as important as overcoming an addiction to alcohol, the last thing anyone wants to be is a statistic. It’s reasons such as these that have countless people turning to alternative forms of treatment to overcome addictions to alcohol and other substances. Can Ketamine Help with Alcohol Addiction? Research is in the works that could help countless people suffering from alcoholism overcome their addiction for good. Some scientists are suggesting that ketamine (currently considered a recreational drug) could be an excellent aid in the treatment of alcohol addiction. Researchers at the University College of London (UCL) are testing whether or not ketamine can be effective in changing negative patterns of behavior associated with alcoholism by erasing the memories and triggers that lead to substance abuse and addiction. While results from these tests won’t be published for more than a year, researchers behind the study remain hopeful. The research that began in 2016 has showed promise in the way ketamine can disrupt the formation of memories. The scientists behind the study believe it is this property that could be used to help get rid of the memories that trigger addiction and negative patterns of behavior. According to Ravi Das, one of the researchers behind the study, “Memories that you form can be hijacked by drugs in some people. If you were an alcoholic you might have a strong feeling of being in a certain place and wanting to drink. Those memories get triggered by things in the environment you can’t avoid.” Taking a Look at Triggers These are the triggers that make relapse such a prominent misfortune in the world of addiction recovery. Anyone who has ever unsuccessfully tried to quit drinking or doing drugs, knows how quickly these triggers can get under your skin and spark the desire to use. Things like seeing a certain person someone used to drink with, hearing the clink of glasses, walking by the bar and seeing people outside smoking, and even the simple act of returning home from work can easily set off the urge to drink. It’s thought that treatment with ketamine can help a person erase the memories associated with drinking so everyday situations don’t elicit the urge to drink. Because there is growing knowledge that memories aren’t as stable as originally presumed, it’s believed the memories that trigger addictive behavior can be manipulated. Ketamine is known to block the brain receptor NMDA, which is necessary for the formation of memories. And because each time our brain retrieves a memory, the neural connections that program it are momentarily disrupted, it is believed that giving a person ketamine just as the memory has been disrupted can help to diminish the memory, or get rid of it completely. The Study of Ketamine on the Alcoholic Mind The study taking place at UCL involves scientists intentionally triggering memories in the minds of heavy drinkers or alcoholics. And while the research team isn’t revealing all details of the study, they believe that by placing a beer or other alcoholic drink in front of a person and then disrupting whatever memory was triggered, they will be able to intentionally help them overcome the memories that lead to the urge to drink. After patients are surprised they will be given either a ketamine mixture that contains a high dose or a placebo. Research scientists plan on following up with participants in a year to see if their drinking has stopped, slowed down, or changed at all. Das is aware that regardless of how well ketamine works in relation to alcohol addiction not everyone will embrace it for what it’s worth. “There’s just the general social attitude that everything illegal is terrible,” he says. “There will obviously be that kind of narrow-minded pushback. But if it’s safe and effective enough it should be recommended.” Ibogaine and ayahuasca are two alternative treatments that have showed great promise in treating addiction in an unconventional way. As more and more people turn toward other possibilities of treating addiction, we will discover more information on what works and what doesn’t. Ketamine is one such alternative that is showing the potential to treat addiction in a way nothing else has done up to this point. With research underway, it is just a matter of time before this party drug could be looked at in an entirely different light. The post Could Ketamine Be the Answer for Alcohol Addiction? appeared first on Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Mexico. via Crossroads Ibogaine Treatment Center | Mexico https://crossroadsibogaine.com/psychedelic-medicine/ketamine-answer-alcohol-addiction/ |