In the face of a national crisis, some individuals dedicate their lives to finding innovative solutions that challenge the status quo. Bryan Hubbard is one such person. As a former lawyer and administrator of Kentucky’s opioid settlement commission, Bryan has worked tirelessly to combat the devastating opioid epidemic. His career, spanning public service and healthcare policy, has given him a front-row seat to the systemic failures in addiction treatment.
From prosecuting Medicaid fraud to exploring the untapped potential of Ibogaine — a plant based treatment for addiction — Bryan’s journey has been both deeply personal and professionally transformative. His relentless advocacy for new approaches to addiction recovery has sparked initiatives in multiple states, paving the way for groundbreaking solutions. In this conversation, Bryan shares his inspiring story, the obstacles he’s encountered, and his unwavering commitment to fighting addiction.
Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about a topic that is often misunderstood, yet so critically important that it has the power to save lives. Let’s dive in. Can you share your backstory and what brought you to focus on addiction treatment?
Sure. I grew up in Virginia, where I witnessed firsthand how addiction devastated my hometown, my family, and entire systems within the state. I saw billions of dollars being spent on treatment centers and public programs that weren’t making a real impact. It felt like we were always chasing after the problem but never getting ahead of it.
Later, during my time working in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office in the Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control Unit, I began investigating entities defrauding Medicaid. What I uncovered was shocking — many of these providers were essentially operating as “cattle call” clinics. Patients would line up in the morning, nurses would hand out prescriptions for Suboxone or methadone at maximum dosages for the longest periods possible, and the patients would leave with no real treatment or care. It wasn’t medical care — it was drug distribution under the guise of addiction treatment.
In 2021, Kentucky received an $842 million opioid settlement, and I was recruited to manage this funding through a special commission. When asked about my priorities, I proposed allocating a small portion of the funds to developing breakthrough treatments. What we have now is better than nothing, but the results are mediocre at best. We need transformative solutions to make real progress. Unfortunately, there were changes in leadership and my initiatives were not given a green light.
What is Ibogaine, and how did you come to realize its potential?
Ibogaine is a plant-derived alkaloid with unique psychoactive properties. What makes it extraordinary is its ability to reset the brain’s opioid receptors, effectively eliminating withdrawal symptoms and cravings in a single treatment. It doesn’t just treat the symptoms of addiction — it tackles the root cause.
I first learned about Ibogaine through Juliana Mulligan, a social worker who battled heroin addiction for over a decade. She shared how she tried every conventional treatment — methadone, Suboxone, everything — but nothing worked. Out of desperation, she traveled to an Ibogaine clinic in Guatemala. While her experience was dangerous — she went into cardiac arrest six times — it ultimately freed her from her addiction. She described it as life-changing.
Hearing her story was a turning point for me. I began connecting with experts, researchers, and philanthropists who shared a passion for Ibogaine’s potential. With their help, I started building a coalition to advocate for research and its integration into the U.S. healthcare system.
Why is Ibogaine illegal in the United States?
Ibogaine is classified as a Schedule I drug, which means it’s considered to have no recognized medical benefit. This classification makes it nearly impossible to conduct clinical trials in the U.S. However, this designation is completely at odds with reality — Ibogaine’s only purpose is medical, spiritual, and psychological benefit. I’m actively fighting to change this and to see Ibogaine approved by the FDA so it can be used to help those struggling with addiction.
Ibogaine is unique because it has the ability to restore the brain’s dopamine and serotonin production to pre-addiction levels within just 36 to 48 hours. For 80% of people, one dose of Ibogaine can fully reset the brain’s dependency on opioids.
What makes Ibogaine so effective compared to traditional addiction treatments?
Opioids flood the brain with dopamine at levels far beyond what the body can naturally produce, which is why they’re so addictive. Over time, this overload shuts down the brain’s ability to produce dopamine and serotonin on its own, causing severe physical dependency.
Ibogaine is unique because it has the ability to restore the brain’s dopamine and serotonin production to pre-addiction levels within just 36 to 48 hours. For 80% of people, one dose of Ibogaine can fully reset the brain’s dependency on opioids. With a second dose, that success rate increases to 97%.
Compare this to traditional treatment methods: abstinence-based programs require 18 months of complete sobriety for the brain to heal itself, and even then, success rates are only around 7%. Ibogaine shortens that recovery process to just two days, making it an extraordinary alternative.
What makes Ibogaine so promising as a treatment?
Ibogaine addresses both the physiological and psychological aspects of addiction. It targets withdrawal symptoms, rewires neural pathways, and provides users with profound psychological insights. Unlike traditional treatments like Suboxone or methadone — which are addictive in their own ways — Ibogaine offers the possibility of true recovery.
However, since it’s classified as a Schedule I drug with no recognized medical use, conducting clinical trials in the U.S. is extremely challenging. Most documented cases come from clinics in places like Mexico, where Ibogaine is legal. Despite the stigma, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting its potential as a game-changer in addiction treatment.
How can people get Ibogaine, and do you recommend it?
Ibogaine can produce extraordinary results for people struggling with substance dependency. However, it’s a very serious medication that comes with risks if not administered properly. For this reason, Ibogaine must always be given under the supervision of highly trained medical professionals, ideally with a background in interventional cardiology, and supported by a skilled nursing team.
There is a significant cardiac risk if Ibogaine is mis-administered. It can slow and stop the heart if not handled correctly. However, these risks can be fully mitigated with the co-administration of magnesium, which is the standard of care in the best Ibogaine clinics.
If you or a loved one are considering Ibogaine treatment, it’s critical to find a reputable clinic. Two of the best clinics, in my experience, are Ambio in Tijuana and Beond in Cancun, Mexico. Both follow strict safety protocols and provide the highest standard of care.
I urge people not to attempt self-administration or to seek out unvetted clinics. This medication is powerful, but it needs to be delivered in a supportive environment by experienced professionals. A good clinic will also provide therapeutic services that heal not just the body, but also the mind and soul.
How did your efforts to integrate Ibogaine into addiction treatment evolve after leaving the Kentucky commission?
My original goal was to dedicate $42 million of Kentucky’s opioid settlement funds to create a public-private partnership to develop Ibogaine as an FDA-approved medication. I wanted Kentucky to lead the way in revolutionizing addiction treatment. Unfortunately, when the Attorney General who had supported my efforts left office, his successor demanded my resignation. It was a major setback, but it didn’t stop the momentum we had built.
The very day I left the commission, I attended a documentary screening at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville about Ibogaine and addiction recovery. It was hosted in partnership with the Reed Foundation, and the audience’s overwhelming enthusiasm reaffirmed that this effort was far bigger than just one state — it was a national issue.
That connection to the Reid Foundation proved invaluable. Through the foundation’s network, I was able to keep the mission alive by connecting with leaders and organizations in other states. Shortly after, I began receiving calls from states interested in pursuing similar initiatives.
Today, we have organized efforts in six states, with Texas leading the charge. Texas is preparing to introduce legislation in January to allocate $50 million from its budget surplus toward Ibogaine research and implementation. Meanwhile, Ohio is exploring a $50 million economic development program to position itself as a leader in biomedical research on Ibogaine.
What challenges have you faced in advocating for Ibogaine?
The biggest barriers are stigma and entrenched financial interests. Many people hear the word “psychedelic” and immediately dismiss it, associating it with recreational drug use. On top of that, the pharmaceutical industry has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. Treatments like Suboxone generate billions in revenue, so there’s little incentive for them to support a one-time treatment that could disrupt their business model.
We’ve also faced resistance from institutions funded by pharmaceutical dollars, which argue that we should focus on “evidence-based best practices.” The problem is that these so-called best practices are often based on research sponsored by pharmaceutical companies themselves. It’s a circular system that perpetuates mediocrity.
What keeps you motivated despite the obstacles?
This work is deeply personal. I’ve lost loved ones to addiction — my brother, my wife’s sister — and I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact it has on families. Every time I hear stories from people whose lives have been transformed by Ibogaine, it reignites my determination to keep pushing forward.
One of the most moving moments for me was a public hearing we held in Kentucky last year. Veterans and others shared their experiences with Ibogaine, and their testimonials were so powerful that I thought, “How can anyone hear this and not be determined to make this happen?”
How can people learn more and get in touch with you if they want to get involved in your initiative?
You can visit my website and also visit the Reid Foundation.
Listen to Bryan’s recent interview on the Joe Rogan show.
About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience as a Founder and CEO. While attending Ohio State University, he launched his first company, Choice Recovery, Inc., a nationally recognized healthcare collection agency — twice ranked the #1 workplace in Ohio. In 2013, he founded [re]start, helping thousands of people find meaningful career opportunities. After selling both companies, Chad shifted his focus to his true passion — leadership. Today, he coaches founders and CEOs at Built to Lead, advises Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator, and launched and leads an online leadership development community which can be downloaded for free for iOS and Android.
