Howard Lotsof

Howard Lotsof (March 1, 1943 – January 31, 2010) was an American psychotherapist and activist known for popularizing the use of Ibogaine for the treatment of substance abuse.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Lotsof was born in The Bronx, New York City. He developed a heroin addiction in his teens, which led him to seek various treatments.

Discovery of Ibogaine[edit | edit source]

In 1962, at the age of 19, Lotsof stumbled upon the anti-addictive properties of Ibogaine, a psychoactive substance derived from the Tabernanthe iboga plant. He found that after ingesting Ibogaine, his desire for heroin was completely eliminated without experiencing any withdrawal symptoms. This discovery led him to further explore the potential of Ibogaine as a treatment for substance abuse.

Advocacy for Ibogaine[edit | edit source]

Lotsof dedicated his life to advocating for the medical use of Ibogaine. He founded the Dora Weiner Foundation (later renamed to the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of Ibogaine for addiction treatment. He also patented several methods for the administration of Ibogaine.

Death and Legacy[edit | edit source]

Lotsof died on January 31, 2010, from liver cancer. His work has had a significant impact on the field of addiction treatment, with Ibogaine now being used in several countries as a treatment for substance abuse.