How Ibogaine Could Treat Depression and Anxiety | Nolan Williams | TED (Level 1)

In 1756, British sailors had a big problem. They got a terrible sickness called scurvy because they did not eat fresh food at sea. Doctors did not know that simple fruit, like oranges, could cure them. Instead, the doctors gave the sailors poison because they did not believe a plant could fix a serious disease. It took 100 years for people to listen. Millions of sailors died because the doctors were stubborn. Today, we have a similar story. Many soldiers come home from war with brain injuries and deep sadness, known as PTSD. Normal medicines often do not work for them. However, a strong plant medicine from Africa called ibogaine might help. Scientists at Stanford University studied a veteran named Erick. Erick drank too much alcohol and was in pain. He took ibogaine under medical care. Afterward, he stopped drinking and felt happy again. He said the medicine helped his brain heal. We must learn from the past. We should study these new plant medicines carefully so we do not wait 100 years to help people.