Ibogaine alleviates physical withdrawal symptoms of opiate detox by attaching to the body’s opiate receptor sites. It functions in a similar way to treatments that block or take residence in these receptor sites. However, unlike methadone or suboxin which can lead to chemical dependency, ibogaine is non-addictive and needs not be taken on a continuing basis. Ibogaine treats other chemical dependencies by cleansing the body of the drug and resetting the brain’s neuro-chemistry.
After ingestion, ibogaine stores up in the fat cells of the body and is slowly released and converted by the liver into nor-ibogaine. Nor-ibogaine helps with any further withdrawal symptoms or cravings for two to six months. It has a documented anti-depressant effect that establishes a state of well-being, free from negative thought patterns.
Taken from- http://www.awakeninginthedream.com/ibogaine.html