Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new law that will provide state-funded research into Ibogaine, a plant-based hallucinogenic medicine that some experts believe could help treat addiction and mental health struggles – especially among veterans.
The recently signed bill, Senate Bill 2308, gives the Texas Health and Human Services Commission permission to match funds for an FDA-approved clinical trial of Ibogaine.
A public university will allegedly lead the research in partnership with a pharmaceutical company and a Texas hospital; however, as of publication, no additional details about the collaboration have been released.
“Texas is home to more veterans than any other state,” Abbott said in a June 11 press release.
“Many of those veterans suffer from injuries both seen and unseen. A therapy that has shown great promise in treating those conditions is Ibogaine. This law authorizes a Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical drug trial that will seek approval of Ibogaine as a medication for the treatment of opioid use disorder and other behavioral health conditions, especially those suffered by our veterans,” the governor added.
So, what exactly is Ibogaine?
In simple terms, it’s a natural substance from the root bark of a plant found most commonly in Africa. It reportedly produces a variety of positive medicinal and psychological effects, yet it is also scientifically considered a hallucinogen.
Ibogaine has a long and storied use in different countries and cultures across the world and is known for its strong psychedelic properties – meaning it can alter a person’s thoughts and senses. However, some early studies suggest it may help reset the brain’s pathways that are linked to addiction and trauma.
While it’s not yet legal for general use in the United States, Abbott’s recent law allows Texas to study the drug under new medical supervision.
Apparently, Ibogaine could be a game-changer for people battling opioid addiction or struggling with mental health issues that other medications have failed to address.
One of the biggest supporters of Ibogaine treatment is the Navy Seal who killed Osama Bin Laden during the raid on his compound in Pakistan in May of 2011, Robert O’Neill.
“June is PTSD awareness month. Ibogaine is a treatment that I’ve taken, and it works for me…. I think our government is not interested in the cure, because there’s no money in that…. I’ve made these ‘Legalize Ibogaine’ shirts to raise awareness…. We need the shirts to tell Congress that there is something that actually helps,” O’Neill said in an Instagram post earlier this month.
The Ibogaine bill signing in Austin this week comes as Abbott faces another big decision regarding alternative drug policies across the state. As previously covered by The Dallas Express, a separate bill, Senate Bill 3, which would ban the sale of nearly all products containing THC, is now sitting on his desk.
Hundreds of letters and over 100,000 signatures from hemp advocates and business owners have been delivered to the governor’s office, urging him not to move forward on the total THC ban – potentially protecting Texas’ 50,000 plus jobs connected to the industry.
Abbott has until June 22 to either sign or veto the THC ban bill, SB3.