What is Ibogaine?

Ibogaine is an isolated active ingredient from the root bark of the central west African shrub, Tabernanthe iboga. It has been used for thousands of years for various purposes including spiritual development and as a rite of passage into adulthood. Its properties as a treatment to stop opiate withdrawal were unknown until the late 1960’s. Since that time, studies undertaken by leading research and academic facilities have shown that ibogaine is an effective addiction interrupter for most substances, including heroin, methadone, methamphetamine, cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine.

[adsense]How Ibogaine Works

Ibogaine alleviates physical withdrawal symptoms of opiate detox by attaching to the body’s opiate receptor sites. It functions in a similar way to treatments that block or take residence in these receptor sites. However, unlike methadone or suboxin which can lead to chemical dependency, ibogaine is non-addictive and needs not be taken on a continuing basis. Ibogaine treats other chemical dependencies by cleansing the body of the drug and resetting the brain’s neuro-chemistry.

After ingestion, ibogaine is converted by the liver into nor-ibogaine, which stores up in the fat cells of the body, and is released slowly, preventing any further withdrawal symptoms or cravings for two to six months. It has a documented anti-depressant effect that establishes a state of well-being, free from negative thought patterns.

The Awakened Dream State

Ibogaine can provide individuals with critical insights into the origins of their addiction process or other unhealthy behavior patterns. This is experienced acutely during the first hours of the session when the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind are merged. During this “awakened dream” state, past events, even those about which the individual is not conscious, may be experienced in an emotionally detached way. Many individuals have suddenly understood or clarified past traumatic events or situations that, in part, have led to their present life condition. In effect years of therapy can be replicated in a matter of hours.

The Introspective Phase

This initial phase is followed by a period of introspection during which the information that was revealed during the journey is processed. The full range of emotions may be experienced during these first 24 hours, and most people require some down time to recuperate physically. This medicine can be very hard on the body. Some people feel so depleted that they are unable to leave their bed. Occasionally individuals may be completely overcome emotionally by what has been revealed to them, and some may become very depressed. This is part of the healing process.

The thoughts and emotions that come up during this time are being released from the body and psyche. While this may be uncomfortable for some, it is important to remember that, in large part, the success of your treatment is dependent on allowing this process to fully run its course. There is a fine balance between talking too much and withdrawing into oneself. Many people find that discussing their experiences with us freely and without judgment or shame makes them relax into the revelations and insights gained during the session. We are available in whatever capacity necessary during this time, but if we feel that you are avoiding going inward, we will not hesitate to guide you back in that direction.

Cultivating the Art of Living

After this period, there is a window of opportunity, anywhere from 12 to 24 days, for one to witness what previously was acted out in a completely unconscious manner. You may now experience these actions consciously. This is a chance to cultivate the art of living from a place of self compassion and humility.

The Spirit of Iboga

For thousands of years humans have evolved with plants and have used them for healing mind, body, and soul. Some of these plants, such as Iboga, have emerged as strong teachers and have been recognized as sacred medicines that have been used in healing the deeply spiritual aspects of our being. People of the equatorial regions of Africa have worked with the iboga plant as an herb of initiation and as a rite of passage for millennia, and no discussion of the role of ibogaine in the West can be complete without taking the spiritual aspects of the medicine into consideration.

We personally have witnessed Iboga exhibit incredible intelligence in its actions. It seems to know what each person can handle at any given moment. Some people are treated gently, while others are pushed beyond the edge of comfort and are asked to face difficult issues at the core of their being.

We are asked to see ourselves in our wholeness, leaving behind notions of good and bad. We are empowered to see ourselves as we actually are and to see the true consequences of our actions. We no longer have to react to situations based on habitual responses programmed by past experience. We are given the freedom to exist in the present moment in connection with our true beings and the whole of creation.