Iboga

You may sense that the earth can offer greater healing than you’ve encountered before—for the mind, body, and spirit. Meet the sacred Iboga medicine, from the root of the world, Central West Africa, held by the Missoko Bwiti tradition over eons.

Iboga is an entheogenic (psychedelic) plant medicine sacrament held sacred by the indigenous people of Central West Africa. The medicine is found in an inner layer of root bark from the Tabernanthe Iboga plant as well a broader group of perennial shrubs belonging to the Apocynaceae family, found in the tropical forests of Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo.

Like Ayahuasca, San Pedro (Huachuma), Peyote, and Psilocybin mushrooms, it is a sacred visionary plant medicine, yet Iboga is an utterly unique spirit. Iboga and its active alkaloid ibogaine have been proven to have powerful addiction breaking effects in clinical studies, observational research, and anecdotal reports.

Iboga ceremonies can be among the most challenging of all plant medicines, and yet they can be among the most healing and liberating. Every journey is unique. Difficult days may be followed by deep peace, clarity, and insightful contemplation. Though Iboga is most commonly known for its ability to help heal addiction, its deeper functions are spiritual discovery, deeper self study, visionary creativity, and soul-aligned strategy. This is a truth medicine, for people who want to know the truth about themselves, their relationships, and the nature of life itself.

Knowledge of Iboga was first held by the Babongo people, otherwise known by the colonial term “Pygmies.” As the 2nd oldest genetic line in the world, the Babongo people may have worked with Iboga for eons. The Babongo passed on the practice to sects of the Bwiti tradition.

The Babongo and Bwiti consider Iboga to be a sentient spirit and master teacher with whom to have a ceremonial, reverent, and reciprocal relationship; not a mere material substance to consume for personal gain alone. This approach to the Iboga sacrament can bear the most profound fruit.

Iboga is appropriately called the “Mt. Everest” of psychedelic medicines. Iboga can be a rigorous physical, mental, and spiritual journey—and yet there is always a profound and loving intelligence at play, even through challenging moments. Iboga may perhaps be the most psychologically complex and confrontational of all medicines, inviting us to examine and release limiting beliefs, coping mechanisms, trauma responses, or habits that no longer serve. Any part of us that is not completely rooted in truth can be burned away. We may find ourselves with a new worldview after meeting Iboga.

The Missoko Bwiti tradition has cultivated spiritual and psychological technologies that reach far beyond the functions of drug detox and addiction disruption functions that the medicine is so famous for. After many years of studying the tradition, we at SoulCentro are in awe of the intimacy the Bwiti have with the Iboga medicine and their knowledge which has been distilled over many generations. Their contribution to the Iboga experience is not to be underestimated.

Iboga and Bwiti alone do not heal people. Iboga and Bwiti give people the opportunity to heal themselves via cleansing, insight, guidance, and neuroloplasticity—but seekers must then implement the illuminated changes. It is a great rite of passage.

For best results, the medicine requires sincere preparation, full participation, skilled aftercare, and personal integration work.

Not everyone needs to experience Iboga, for it is an extremely powerful visionary medicine. This journey is not to be taken lightly, and should never be pursued for novelty.

Is iboga for you? Listen for the quiet call of the soul.

If you are called, approach this ancient medicine with respect and clear intentions. One needs to feel ready—in mind, body, and soul. A seeker must be willing to do their own due diligence, understand the risks and effects, and make a personal choice. Choosing the right provider is vital, for as one Bwiti teacher has said, “taking iboga without a qualified guide is like driving a car while blindfolded.”

Iboga is for people who value:

Challenge for the sake of genuine evolution

Expanded capacity for love

Presence over escape
Honest self reflection
Facing fears and moving through them

Unprecedented inner adventure

Truth over fantasy or comfort

Receiving support and guidance from experienced providers

Effort involved in making positive life changes

Humility in long-term integrative practices

Iboga vs. Ibogaine

At SoulCentro, we serve the Iboga medicine, not ibogaine. Iboga & ibogaine are both known for spiritual awakening, multifaceted healing, rapid detox, and addiction recovery. The two medicines share some similar actions, but there are distinct differences in both content and context:
Iboga
is the natural plant, with the full spectrum of original alkaloids present. It is generally regarded as significantly stronger medicine than ibogaine in ceremonial or “flood” doses, according to anecdotal reports from people who’ve experienced both forms. The psychoactive root bark is taken as fresh shavings, powder, tea, or total alkaloid extract. For addiction recovery work and strong psycho-spiritual journeys, the highly concentrated total alkaloid extract may be most appropriate, as the large amount of root bark or tea necessary for that work may not be easily tolerated or retained. Iboga is generally experienced within the context of shamanic African traditions, primarily the Bwiti. Learn More.
Ibogaine
is a pharmaceutical extract containing one alkaloid from iboga, isolated from a spectrum of many naturally occurring alkaloids in the iboga plant. Some ibogaine may be produced semi-synthetically from from another plant called Voacanga Africana rather than the Bwiti sacrament known as Tabernanthe iboga. Ibogaine is generally experienced in a medical and Western clinical setting. Learn More.
Unfortunately, Iboga and ibogaine are still illegal in the United States as well as some other countries, even for traditional practitioners and qualified medical practitioners. Prohibition is a great obstacle to medical research and safe access; there is still much study and social integration needed as sacred visionary medicines flow into industrialized countries. We do not recommend seeking the medicine anywhere online or in countries where the medicine is illegal.

As awareness and demand for iboga and ibogaine grow, we must proceed with care with regards to sustainability and the social impact of foreign use on the indigenous Bwiti people. For more information on iboga sustainability and related political issues, explore and support Blessings of the Forest. Read more about our sustainability and reciprocity projects here.

Information, Research, & Organizations

Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA)
ibogaalliance.org

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
maps.org

International Center for Ethnobotanical Educations, Research, & Service (ICEERS)
iceers.org

The Third Wave
thethirdwave.co

Psychedelic Science Conference Presentations
psychedelicscience.org

Articles in Psychedelic Times
Dr. Deborah Mash on Ibogaine Therapy for Drug Addiction
Dr. Deborah Mash on Ibogaine Aftercare for Treating the Roots of Addiction

Article in The Huffington Post
Why is the U.S. Disregarding Plants Like Iboga & Kratom in the Fight Against Addiction?

Article in Psychology Today
The Potential of Ibogaine in Treating Substance Abuse

Documentary film
IBOGAINE: Rite of Passage

Videos by ICEERS
Scientific Evidence for Ibogaine
Understanding Ibogaine-Related Fatalities

Book
Iboga: The Visionary Root of African Shamanism

*There are always various risks associated with psychoactive medicines. Each person who decides to partake of entheogenic medicines assumes risk, must complete their own due diligence, and have radical accountability for their choice. This page is for informational and harm reduction purposes only and is not intended to be professional medical advice, diagnosis, or suggestion. SoulCentro disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information presented here.

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