In this episode of Filter Optional, Chico and Shannon West step into a nuanced and vulnerable conversation about ibogaine therapy, psychedelics, trauma recovery, PTSD, addiction, and mental health healing.

As psychedelics gain national attention—and states like Texas begin expanding research into ibogaine treatment—Chico and Shannon unpack the difference between hype, fear, and legitimate therapeutic potential .

Drawing from addiction recovery work, trauma-informed care, and personal reflection, they explore how ibogaine may help “rewire” the brain for people struggling with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, severe depression, and opioid addiction. They also discuss the growing cultural conversation around ayahuasca, ketamine, kratom, and medication-assisted treatment—and why discernment matters.

This isn’t a conversation about escapism or recreational drug use. It’s about curiosity, healing, and asking difficult questions about how trauma impacts the brain and what true recovery can look like.

• What ibogaine is and how it differs from ayahuasca, ketamine, and other psychedelics 
• Why ibogaine is gaining attention for PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and opioid addiction recovery
• The connection between trauma, inflammation, and brain health
• How unresolved memories and emotional pain can stay buried in the nervous system
• Why preparation, medical supervision, and intentionality matter in psychedelic-assisted therapy
• The difference between healing tools and addictive escape behaviors
• How perspectives on mental health treatment can evolve over time

Healing sometimes requires looking honestly at what’s been buried. Whether through therapy, recovery work, spiritual practices, or emerging treatments like ibogaine, growth begins when we become willing to investigate the deeper roots of pain instead of only managing the symptoms.

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