W. Bryan Hubbard: The Healing Potential of Ibogaine for Addiction and Trauma

W. Bryan Hubbard is a seasoned leader and advocate committed to creating, reforming, and improving human systems to accelerate progress for all. With a rich law, public policy, and community engagement background, he has consistently tackled some of society's most pressing challenges. From leading the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission to driving reforms in disability policy, child support enforcement, Medicaid systems, and judicial responses to mental health and substance use issues, Bryan’s work reflects a deep passion for positive change. His extensive experience includes managing complex organizations, building diverse stakeholder coalitions, organizing impactful events, and crafting innovative policy solutions. In June 2025, Bryan became the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of Americans for Ibogaine. AFI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public education and awareness about ibogaine as a potential therapeutic option for brain injuries, substance use disorders, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Previously, Bryan served as Executive Director of the American Ibogaine Initiative, supported by the REID Foundation. Bryan was also the former Chairman and Executive Director of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission. Concurrently, he served as Special Counsel to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control following his tenure as its Executive Director. His leadership extended to roles on the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health, the Kentucky Child Support Guidelines Commission, the Mine Safety Review Commission, and the Recovery Ready Communities Advisory Council under the Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy. Previously, as Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Income Support, Bryan oversaw the state’s Social Security Disability and Child Support Enforcement programs. He led a multidisciplinary research team to develop Social Security Disability in Kentucky: The Evolution of Dependence, 1980-2015. This groundbreaking study inspired a comprehensive reform proposal, which Bryan presented to the White House Domestic Policy Council and the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Before his public service career, Bryan spent 16 years practicing workers’ compensation law, representing major clients such as Walmart, Tyson Foods, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. During this time, he witnessed the early stages of Kentucky’s opioid crisis, shaped by generational poverty, joblessness, and substance use. Raised in Virginia’s coalfields, Bryan is the proud grandson of two grade-school-educated coal miners—a heritage that fuels his enduring commitment to uplifting communities and advancing equitable solutions. Website: www.americansforibogaine.org Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest speaker on this episode are solely those of the guest. The content shared is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice or endorsement.