Addiction and trauma can be a daunting cycle that is almost impossible to break. Ibogaine and it’s mother plant, Iboga, have been extremely successful at reversing this cycle. Iboga has been researched and used as a therapeutic treatment since the 1950’s . It was traditionally used by the Bwiti tribe in Africa for personal and spiritual development before the start of many rituals and ceremonies. Currently, the use of Iboga in a therapeutic setting is becoming more and more prevalent in the Western world, proving effective in treating opiate addiction. It’s also been shown to eliminate dependence on cocaine, amphetamines, and alcohol abuse.
The low-dose approach with Iboga is a gentle, less aggressive treatment that allows the body to gradually integrate the medicine in increments that stack. The client will be medically evaluated and then given a test dose of Iboga to determine their physical ability to process the medicine and rule out any possible allergic reaction. Once the client is medically cleared for treatment to begin, a minimal dose of Iboga is administered to begin the process and will be readministered in increased amounts over a period of 1-3 days. The Iboga, although generally a much milder experience than Ibogaine, offers the same rewarding outcome for the client. Because the low-dose Iboga protocol is stacked from one dose to the next, it gives the body time to gradually build up to larger amounts, similar to that of a flood dose. The result is the same. The client will reach a profound psycho-spiritual awakening, the start of the mind’s “resetting” phase where all addictive thought patterns begin to break down. This reset is allowing the brain to return to a non-addicted state of thinking. Iboga has unique pharmacological properties, including a broad spectrum of binding actions on receptor sites as an agonist (hallucinogenic) and antagonist (anti addictive). The experience of Iboga occurs in two parts, called the visionary phase and the introspection phase. The visionary phase has been described asan enhanced “oneirogen” state, referring to the dreamlike nature of its psychedelic effects, and lasts upwards of 4 hours. The second phase, the introspection phase, is responsible for the “psychotherapeutic” effects. It can allow people to transcend their fears and negative emotions. Iboga creates a state of consciousness similar to dreaming while fully awake. The person is aware enough that memories, life experiences, and trauma can be processed. The root of the addiction can be targeted and dealt with.
Iboga has traditionally been used to form a connection between the user and a higher level of spirituality or a deeper understanding of the self. This usually occurs when the person is present in the egoless state that iboga produces. A person may receive powerful insights into past issues or trauma, allowing one to process emotions and ultimately feel a greater connection to self the world in general. Once a person has completed the Iboga treatment, they will feel a deeper sense of relief and the desire to enjoy life again. The mind will continue healing even after the Iboga protocol is finalized. A single treatment can have a healing effect that lasts 2–3 years. Some individuals, however, require a second or third treatment session over a period of 12–18 months. Counseling therapy and aftercare are critical during the in-between periods for effective treatment. Overall, the Iboga experience produces therapeutic and meaningful visions of spiritual and autobiographical nature which are greatly relevant in addressing psychological healing.