Morning Wire XX
[0] As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage the United States, scientists and lawmakers are taking a novel and controversial approach to combating the crisis, psychedelics.
[1] Despite continued concerns about the drugs, a number of studies have shown some promising results.
[2] Some advocates say that one psychoactive substance, in particular, ibogaine, offers a potential medicinal breakthrough in addiction treatment.
[3] In this episode, we hear from lawmakers pushing for funding to research the drugs and military veterans who say they could be saving lives.
[4] I'm Daily Wire Editor -in -Chief John Bickley with Georgia Howe.
[5] It's June 25th, and this is a Sunday edition of Morning Wire.
[6] Here to discuss the potential medical applications of psychedelics like Ibo Gain as Daily Wire reporter Tim Pierce.
[7] Hey, Tim, a fascinating topic that's gaining steam in Washington and within the veteran community, while also prompting lots of questions and concerns.
[8] First, how did we get to this point, this official interest in psychedelics?
[9] Well, understandably, when a lot of people hear the word psychedelic, they instantly think of illicit drug use with images of woodstock coming to mind.
[10] But that perception is starting to change, especially in the medical community where a number of recent studies have shown that psychedelic drugs could have immense benefits in treating drug addiction, PTSD, and a slew of other mental health disorders.
[11] The drug getting the most attention is called Ibogaine, a substance derived from the Iboga plant in Africa.
[12] Traditionally, Ibogaine has been used in shamanistic rituals for its hallucinogenic properties, but a growing number of scientists say it's a powerful tool in combating addiction.
[13] Back in the 60s, a scientist named Howard Lots of took Ibegain recreationally with six friends, all of whom were frequent heroin users.
[14] According to lots of, all but one in the group saw their heroin addiction disappear overnight with no withdrawal symptoms.
[15] That experience led lots of to devote much of his research career to studying the scientific components of the drug.
[16] He commissioned a number of studies over the next few decades that showed similar effects, but Ibogaine failed to gain mainstream attention.
[17] It wasn't until the last decade, as the opioid epidemic descended on the U .S., and scientists began looking for alternative treatment plans, that Ibogaine really burst onto the scene.
[18] Yeah, tell us about some of the studies that showed promising results for Ibegain.
[19] So for years, there's been anecdotal evidence that psychedelics helped people address problems in their personal lives, everything from PTSD to addiction.
[20] But there wasn't much hard data to go on.
[21] Because the drugs are illegal throughout the U .S., it's difficult for scientists to conduct legitimate studies on them.
[22] But in recent years, scientists have begun to dig into psychedelics and their potential medicinal applications, and results have been pretty surprising.
[23] For example, one John's Hopkins study in 2017 found that 80 % of patients who underwent ibogaine treatment eradicated or drastically reduced withdrawal syndrome for a variety of addictions.
[24] Another 2018 study, published in the Frontiers of Pharmacology Medical Journal, found Ibogaine significantly reduced cravings among cocaine and opioid users after just one small dose.
[25] So how exactly does Ibogaine work in breaking addictive tendencies?
[26] That's what scientists are still trying to understand.
[27] Once ingested, Ibegain typically results in an 18 to 36 -hour period where users experience often intense psychoactive experiences.
[28] According to users, those experiences produce deep introspective periods that encourage and help convince people to reassess their addiction.
[29] But more importantly, there's the biological component.
[30] Again, we still don't know all the details, but scientists say ibegain appears to rewire serotonin receptors in the brain and restore brain activity to pre -exposure levels.
[31] Essentially, it chemically erases addiction pathways in the brain for many users.
[32] And importantly, it does so after just one or two doses.
[33] While other psychedelics that have been studied more extensively for their medicinal qualities, including psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine typically take a round of treatments before relief is felt.
[34] Ibegain appears to work right away.
[35] That's an important element of treatment.
[36] Some of the scientific evidence has drawn the attention of lawmakers at this point.
[37] Tell us how they're reacting.
[38] Yeah, most people wouldn't expect to see politicians publicly calling for research into psychedelic drugs.
[39] But as more evidence comes out, that's exactly what we're seeing in states around the country, especially those hit hardest by the opioid epidemic.
[40] One of the states investing in Ibogaine research is Kentucky, which last year had the second highest rate of drug overdoses in the country.
[41] Just weeks ago, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron introduced a proposal that would potentially allocate $42 million over the next six years to research IBA gain for treating drug addiction, PTSD, and a host of other mental illnesses.
[42] We need to continue to fund the work that has been ongoing in Kentucky, but we also need to explore a new approach.
[43] We have to imagine new possibilities.
[44] We have to invest in programs and potential solutions for tomorrow.
[45] At that same event, Brian Hubbard, Executive Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission detailed the research some of that money will be used for.
[46] An anecdotal evidence that is a mountain high and decades wide suggests that Ibegain, within 48 to 72 hours of administration in safe, clinically controlled conditions, resolves opioid withdrawal syndrome.
[47] It appears to do so by clearing and resetting the brain's opioid receptors, while also restoring the brain's organic dopamine and serotonin production to pre -opioid exposure levels.
[48] If this anecdotal evidence can be clinically validated, Ibegain would represent a transformative therapeutic for treatment of opioid use disorder.
[49] Morningwire spoke with Hubbard for more context on the potential medical applications of Ibegain and why he wants more research into the drug.
[50] Due to the unique properties of Ibogaine, it has the capacity in a very accelerated time frame to clear the brain's opioid receptors while simultaneously restoring the brain's organic dopamine and serotonin production, which is usually and almost always completely shut down in an opioid -dependent individual.
[51] Hubbard did caution, however, that Ibogaine can be dangerous when taken outside of a medical setting and was clear that it's not for everyone.
[52] It's important to note that Ibegain does come with some risk, and that risk is associated with potential cardiac toxicity.
[53] If an individual receives Ibegain treatment, it is imperative that they receive it within a medically controlled setting with trained professionals.
[54] It is not safe to receive in the underground.
[55] It is not safe to pursue recreationally.
[56] And any one or organization that would suggest that Ibegain would be appropriate to consider, for the sorts of decriminalization efforts that we have seen in other states is not properly understanding the risk that comes with it and the necessity for making sure that it is administered within a safe, medically controlled setting with the appropriate medical professionals present throughout.
[57] Now, it's worth noting the proposed money to fund that research is coming from an $842 million payout the state received as part of a federal lawsuit against pharma companies for their role in the opioid crisis.
[58] This proposal is important because it marks the first wide -scale effort from state or federal government to research the drug.
[59] Keep in mind, Ibegaine is still illegal throughout the U .S., so it's hard to know just how many people are using it.
[60] But as word of its medicinal application has spread, a growing number of Americans are venturing to places like Australia and New Zealand where it's legal.
[61] This move paves the way for potential decriminalization, at least in a medical setting.
[62] Right.
[63] Now, beyond treating opioid addiction, Ibogaine is also gaining traction in the military community especially.
[64] Tell us about that.
[65] Yeah, there's also pretty compelling evidence that the drug is useful in treating PTSD and other service -related ailments.
[66] One veteran in support of Ibogaine for medical treatment is retired three -star general Martin Steele.
[67] Steel is the head of the veteran mental health leadership coalition and says that while Ibogaine should not be used for everyone, it should be a tool in the arsenal for veterans in need.
[68] Here he is, speaking about Kentucky's proposal for research on the drug.
[69] The existing clinical research and the growing body of personal anecdotes suggest that Ibegain, when used with careful medical screening, treatment protocols, and oversight has incredible promise for treating veterans and all others struggling with opioid addiction.
[70] Another of the veterans leading the way for Ibegain treatment is Tommy Aceto, a retired Navy SEAL.
[71] Aceto told us he first heard of the treatment from fellow SEALs struggling with PTSD and drug and alcohol addictions.
[72] And this is going to be crazy to say this, but there's guys that wake up and they go, I don't ever want to drink again.
[73] I saw what it did to me. And it's like they're not white knuckling it at this point.
[74] Now, this doesn't work for everybody, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen guys say that.
[75] And I'm one of them where I didn't have to white knuckle an addiction.
[76] They were gone.
[77] Aceto says that while experiencing the psychedelic effects of Ibogaine, he was confronted with the reality of his addictions and trauma and came out a new man. In his words, he tried a number of treatments and medications that didn't work and viewed Ibegain as a last -ditch effort for healing.
[78] I felt like a reset in myself, and I felt there was a lot of triggers or what I would call threats.
[79] They were diminished tremendously, and I wasn't taking any medication.
[80] I stopped taking all the medications that the Navy gave me. It was probably about 13 pills.
[81] SSRI.
[82] all of that.
[83] And so that was a shocker, you know.
[84] And so in our community, when you feel better, you want to tell as many people as you can.
[85] Now we've seen similar calls for government action from veterans serving in Congress.
[86] Give us more details on what we're seeing out of Washington.
[87] That's right.
[88] This month, a number of congressmen, including SEAL veterans, Dan Crenshaw and Morgan LaTrell, introduced legislation that would allocate $75 million towards research into psychedelics.
[89] Here's Congressman LaTrell speaking outside the Capitol.
[90] And make no mistake, my journey, my experience with this treatment was the most horrific experience in my entire life.
[91] It was absolutely miserable.
[92] This is not something you do, Rick, which one you did.
[93] The medications I took were Ibegain and 5MEO DMT.
[94] And it was, it gives me the hibbitty jibbys to even think about doing it ever again, which I never will do.
[95] I will never tell anybody to do this, ever.
[96] If you find yourself in a place that you were lost and no other modalities have worked, this could possibly be that tool.
[97] And I can honestly stand here.
[98] in front of all of you and the American public, I was reborn.
[99] This changed my life.
[100] It saved my marriage.
[101] It is one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. And I've never done a drug in my entire life, but I had to go overseas to do this.
[102] Okay, but we're still talking about a pretty heavy -duty drug here.
[103] You mentioned earlier some of the potential risks associated with its use.
[104] What did detractors say?
[105] Yeah, this is by no means a closed case in the medical community.
[106] There are plenty of doctors who are skeptical about the use of these drugs, and it's definitely worth noting that psychedelics like ibegain can have some serious negative side effects.
[107] Most notably, the drug can cause an irregular heartbeat and result in severe cases of ataxia, an affliction that impairs balance and speech.
[108] Ibegain is also especially dangerous when those using it have other drugs in their system, including opioids, cocaine, or antidepressants, and other SSRIs.
[109] That part is important because many users take iBagane because they're addicted to those very drugs.
[110] Proponents of the treatment stress that patients must complete a detox from any drugs before taking Ibogaine.
[111] And there are also plenty of folks leery of psychedelic use on religious grounds.
[112] Ibegain users often compare the trance they enter to a spiritual state and often report that during their hallucinations, they experience a sort of being who guides them through the experience.
[113] Many people of religious conviction say using any form of psychedelic drug, even in a medical setting, is essentially playing with fire.
[114] Well, certainly a fascinating and compelling development here with the research into Ibrahim, but like we said, a lot of questions and a lot of caution.
[115] required here.
[116] Tim, thanks for reporting.
[117] Absolutely.
[118] That was Daily Wire reporter Tim Pearson.
[119] This has been a Sunday edition of Morning Wire.