From Kentucky, ibogaine researchers are re-directing their efforts in order to utilize millions of dollars from state settlements related to opioids for psychedelic research.
The original plan to utilize $42 million of Kentucky’s settlement fund for psychedelics failed late last year when the state’s attorney general replaced former Kentucky Opiod Commission Chairman Bryan Hubbard who was spearheading ibogaine’s initiative with a former Drug Enforcement Administration official.
Hubbard is now working for ResultsOHIO, which is a division within the Ohio Treasurer’s Office. He will be working with the Reaching Everyone in Distress Foundation to secure a portion from the state’s settlement funds on opioids in order to promote clinical trials using psychedelics as a treatment option.
Hubbard stated in a release that she was “honored” to be working with the REID Foundation, and the people of Ohio, to bring healing and hope to the veterans and families torn by the opioid epidemic. The development of ibogaine for the treatment of opioid-dependent people is a moral necessity.
Last year, a Kentucky commission on opioid overdose prevention met several times to discuss the ibogaine program which has since been abandoned by the state’s new attorney general. The members heard from veterans, parents and psychologists, as well as other advocates, including the former Texas governor. Rick Perry (R), a Republican, spoke about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.
Ohio, like Kentucky, has also been hit hard by the opioid crisis. Under the settlement agreement, Ohio is expected to get about $1 billion to be used to mitigate public health issues.
Psychedelic Alpha reports that the plan for the ibogaine project is to fund the research via a public-private collaboration, and to also explore the creation of a program specifically under ResultsOHIO in order to facilitate the distribution of partial settlements.
Hubbard stated that they would request a “small portion” of the settlement funds for the psychedelics research. The goal is creating the infrastructure for research that can be used in the future to investigate access to ibogaine treatments for people suffering from substance abuse, post-traumatic disorder (PTSD), and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), among others.
A Stanford University study, published last month, found that combat veterans who suffered a TBI experienced “dramatic and life-changing” improvements to their symptoms and cognitive function after treatment with ibogaine.
Rex Elsass is the founder of the REID Foundation. He said. It could give hope to millions of people battling addictions around the world. The REID Foundation looks forward to working with Bryan Hubbard on this important research.
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In response to this increased demand, the DEA proposed a dramatic escalation of the production quotas for ibogaine, and other psychedelic substances by 2024.
This month, a Republican congressman introduced legislation to require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to inform lawmakers if it adds psychedelic drugs to its formulary of prescription medicines covered.
There are currently no psychedelics that can be prescribed as medicine by the federal government. The FDA recently agreed to expedite the review of a new drug submission for MDMA-assisted therapies.
The VA issued a separate request for applications last month to conduct research in depth on using psychedelics as a treatment for PTSD and depression.
The agency launched a podcast in October about the future health care for veterans. , the first episode, focuses on healing potentials of psychedelics.
The FDA joined scientists recently at a meeting of the public on Next Steps for Conducting Research to Develop Psychedelic Medicines.
This came after FDA released historic draft guidance on studies of psychedelics. It provided scientists with a structure to conduct research that could lead them to develop novel medicines.
Virginia Compromise bill to legalize retail marijuana sales clears Senate panel, one day after advancing in the House
Image courtesy of Flickr/Scamperdale.
The post Activists Renew Their Efforts To Use Opioid Funds For Addiction Studies In Ohio After Kentucky Plan Fails first appeared on Marijuana Minute.
