Ibogaine panel set for Tennessee corrections summit

Former Navy SEALs and mental health leaders will discuss ibogaine as a possible addiction treatment at a Spark Training jail summit Aug. 26 in Murfreesboro. The event comes as federal officials push to speed access to treatments for serious mental illness and treatment-resistant conditions.

Why it matters: - The discussion puts ibogaine, a plant compound used in natural psychedelic therapy, in front of correctional leaders who deal daily with substance use, relapse and repeat incarceration. - Supporters argue that if ibogaine proves effective, it could reduce addiction, help families and lower recidivism. - The event aligns with a White House push to accelerate access to treatments for serious mental illness and treatment-resistant conditions.

What happened: - Spark Training will host an ibogaine panel on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lane Agri-Park in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. - Former U.S. Navy SEALs Alex West and Tommy Aceto will speak about their experiences with ibogaine therapy. - Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibogaine, will deliver the keynote and then join the panel. - The panel will also include Rikki Harris, CEO of TN Voices, and Dr. William Dennis, chief medical officer at Advanced Correctional Healthcare, Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee.

The details: - The event is part of Spark Training’s annual corrections conference, called a Jail Summit. - Spark Training describes the summit as a regional conference where jail leaders collaborate, solve problems, share insights and earn continuing education credits. - The company says the sessions are led by experienced correctional professionals and focus on practical strategies for correctional settings. - Media and mental health professionals will receive complimentary conference access, an exclusive Q&A meet-and-greet and lunch. - Press inquiries should be sent to Brian Lewis, director of training at Spark Training, at brian.lewis@sparktraining.us. - More information about the summit schedule is available at Spark Training’s jail summit page. - Spark Training says it is the nation’s leading corrections training partner. - The company says it has won multiple 2026 awards, including Healthcare Training Company of the Year from the Corporate LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards, a Global Recognition Award for correctional healthcare education and a Global 100 Award in Education and Training from Global Publishing Media Group.

Between the lines: - Hubbard has helped drive national attention to ibogaine through appearances on podcasts hosted by Joe Rogan and Theo Von. - The lineup pairs treatment advocates with correctional health professionals, signaling an effort to connect addiction policy with jail operations and public safety. - The conference framing suggests growing interest in treatments that could address both clinical need and the costs of incarceration.

What's next: - The keynote and panel will take place Aug. 26 in Murfreesboro. - The event could add momentum to broader debate over ibogaine research and its potential role in addiction treatment. - Spark Training is directing press access requests to Brian Lewis ahead of the conference.