When my mother first read
my memoir
about our experience with the African sacred plant medicine known as
iboga (she’s a cool mom, alright), she said, “I feel like I’ve taken
iboga just from reading this book.” Not every- one needs to take iboga
for healing or awakening, for it is an extremely powerful visionary
medicine. Maybe
reading this book is enough iboga for you. Maybe
there is another kind of medicine for you, for there are many different
kinds of mental, physical, and spiritual medicine on this planet to suit
billions of radically different human beings. Is iboga for you? Listen
for the quiet call of the soul.
If you are called, approach this
ancient medicine with great respect and clear intentions. Choose your
provider with great care. As shaman Moughenda says, “taking iboga
without a qualified guide is like driving a car while blindfolded.”
Iboga and
Ibogaine 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. The psychoactive root bark is taken as fresh
shavings, powder, tea, or natural extract. Iboga is generally
experienced within the context of shamanic African traditions, primarily
the Bwiti, and this is how we experienced the medicine. We advocate for
iboga to be administered only by qualified African lineage providers,
for the African people have been studying iboga for thousands of years
and hold a vast and sophisticated body of knowledge about this medicine.
It is vital to honor the indigenous wisdom keepers by receiving their
teachings and blessings. In the same breath, some traditional providers
may be unfamiliar with the medical conditions, addictions, or
contraindicated pharmaceutical drugs of foreigners. Furthermore,
“psychedelic tourism” can breed inexperienced, opportunistic providers
anywhere. Discernment is advised.
• Ibogaine is a pharmaceutical
extract of one alkaloid from iboga, isolated from a spectrum of many
naturally occurring alkaloids in the iboga plant. Some ibogaine may be
produced semisynthetically from from another plant called Voacanga
africana rather than the Bwiti sacrament known as Tabernanthe iboga. We
hear that ibogaine has been very helpful for some individuals, though it
was not what we experienced. Ibogaine is generally experienced in a
medical and Western therapeutic setting. Ibogaine must be administered
only under medical supervision by qualified providers and therapists.
So
how do we find a “qualified” provider, in this day and age, in the face
of unregulated medical treatments and traditional shamanic cultures
that do not provide diplomas or licenses in the same way? We consult
with the global psychedelic community (resources below), ask a million
questions, and listen to our intuition. We are in uncharted territory,
as there is still much medical research and social integration needed as
enthnobotanical psychedelic medicines flow into industrialized
countries.
As empowered seekers, it is important to remember that
even those regarded to be “qualified” providers are still very human,
subject to human issues, to be held accountable for honorable conduct
and a good standard of care.
Under no circumstance should iboga
(or ibogaine) be taken alone or with an inexperienced sitter.
Familiarity with other plant medicines or psychedelics does not qualify
someone to handle iboga. Iboga should never be mail ordered, as the
quality, frequency, and purity are generally compromised.
A good
iboga provider will require specific medical screening before treatment.
Iboga can be fatal with certain medical conditions, when combined with
other drugs, or with improper dosage. Such accidents can be avoided with
good protocol.
If an addiction is being treated, the provider
must be highly experienced and knowledgeable about the many delicate
medical details involved with detox. Iboga can have a great range of
potency and quality, and poor quality medicine may not be effective for
addiction treatment. A good provider will know the potency and quality
of their medicine.
Iboga is not a “magic bullet” for addiction treatment.
Iboga is a profound healer and plant teacher. Iboga offers a great
opportunity, and the rest is up to you. Furthermore, iboga is not a
crutch to break addictions repeatedly, for the medicine will not allow
it’s gifts to be plundered, and regarding the medicine with an
exploitative attitude can be dangerous.
Other factors can help to
sustain the freedom from addiction that iboga offers: spiritual
disciplines such as yoga and meditation, ongoing counseling, healthy
diet, good community, a safe and nourishing environment, therapeutic
touch, 12-Step programs, and other support groups.
Unfortunately,
iboga and ibogaine are still illegal in the United States as well as
other countries, even for traditional practitioners and qualified
medical practitioners. Sadly, this may be due to many complex political
factors, corporate economic interests, and puritanical prejudices. We do
not recommend seeking iboga
any place where the sacrament is illegal.
All this said, iboga is wonderful medicine, in the right hands and the right place.
As
awareness and demand for iboga grows, we must proceed with care with
regards to sustainability, the effects of foreign use on the indigenous
Bwiti people, and legal export. For more information on iboga
sustainability and related political issues, connect with the
Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance.
EDUCATE
yourself before pursuing an experience with iboga. Here are some great
organizations with more practical information and references for medical
studies:
Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA)
www.ibogainealliance.orgInternational Center for Ethnobotanical Educations, Research, & Service (ICEERS)
www.iceers.orgMultidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
www.maps.orgPsychedelic News
www.reset.meMy Eboga Essentials
www.myeboga.org
This
introduction is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to
diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, or otherwise replace medical
advice. Medicinal Media LLC & E. Bast disclaim any liability, loss,
injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of
the use and application of any elements of this website or memoir.•
Iboga Provider Listings:*The providers noted here have all trained in depth with our shaman Moughenda and his Bwiti tribe in Africa. Mark Howard & Robyn Rock at Ibogasoul in Canada:
www.ibogasoul.comwww.thenakedtruth.coAmber Richards & Corey Gauthier at Sacred Soul in Canada:
www.sacredsoultherapy.caGary Cook, Jeff Cook, Sandy Cook, & Steven Callahan at the Iboga Wellness Center in Costa Rica:
www.ibogawellness.comMoughenda
is the Bwiti shaman that we worked with, and we had a wonderful
experience with him. His Costa Rica healing center has since closed and
he is currently back in Africa leading initiatory journeys.
Please note:
these journeys to Africa can be very physically challenging with
regards to extreme heat, biting insects, and rustic conditions. Contact
Michael Cassidy for more info on Moughenda's retreats
: michaelsmatrix@gmail.com•
Additional support for sobriety:Phoenix Multisport
fosters a supportive, physically active community for individuals who
are recovering from alcohol and substance abuse and those who choose to
live a sober life. Through pursuits such as climbing, hiking, running,
strength training, yoga, road/mountain biking, socials and other
activities, we seek to help our members develop and maintain the
emotional strength they need to stay sober.
My New Leaf
is creating a new gamified, web-based, addiction recovery app that
draws heavily on evidenced-based best practices and theoretical
perspectives. The web-based app is also being designed to deploy on iOS
and Android mobile devices with an anticipated alpha launch date in late
2015.
