FAQS
What’s the difference between Iboga and Ibogaine?
~ Iboga is an all natural root bark of a small perennial shrub indigenous to Central West Africa used traditionally for many millennia by the indigenous people of the region.
~Ibogaine is a pharmaceutical derivative of one single alkaloid of the many alkaloids contained in the plant. It’s main use is in the blocking of the symptoms of Opiate and other drug withdrawals.
Can I do this myself at home?
~ Iboga is a sacred spiritual plant medicine that is very powerful and if not conducted by an experienced healer can have possibly detrimental effects physically and psychologically.
How do I know if Iboga is right for me?
~When someone is drawn to Iboga. It is as simple as that. Usually you are called to Iboga intuitively, perhaps through a strong curiosity or feeling that Iboga can help you. We Bwiti know Iboga as a Spiritual teacher who rings the bell for your class, so to speak.
If you feel called to work with Iboga, you must go through an intake evaluation to make sure that you are a good candidate to work with the medicine. If you are suffering from certain health conditions, taking certain drugs or medications, Iboga may not be right for you at this time.
Q: What if I have a bad trip or trip out?
~ The very nature of our Traditional Bwiti Ceremonies negates any such possibility.
Iboga is a powerful medicine. However, a guest still has the ability to direct their thoughts and feelings. Our Healers are experienced in assisting someone to take control of any thoughts or feeling that may come to pass.
How do I prepare to work with Iboga?
~After you move through our screening process, are accepted as a client, and schedule your retreat, Michael will continue to consult with you, and provide exercises for you to help get clear on your intentions. We recommend that you take an honest look at your life and reflect on what you may want to change, any questions you have, or any areas where you feel stuck. Physically, we recommend to prepare your body to receive the medicine by following a light, healthy diet for at least a week before your session. Include plenty of hydration, as well as fruits and vegetables. Avoid excess consumption such as overeating, or “partying”. Some people choose to prepare their body with a cleanse, such as Colon Hydrotherapy. Although these recommendations are helpful, they are not mandatory.
I am in twelve step recovery. Will taking Iboga be considered a relapse?
~ It depends on what you consider a relapse. If taking a medicine in a clinical or traditional setting for personal healing is considered a relapse, then so be it.
It is a medicine that resets a person’s mood and mind. However, it is not mood altering or mind altering. More like a reset or reboot. The very nature of the molecular structure of the medicine is not addictive. It is quite the opposite actually. Its ability to wipe away receptors associated with addiction continues to be studied by researcher worldwide and internationally interest has grown for its addiction interruption and therapeutic value.
Does Bwiti and/or Iboga conflict with my religious/spiritual beliefs?
~ Iboga is for anyone called to it and merely opens people to the truth about themselves and life. It is not it’s job to influence people in any way. Merely to show the truth. Bwiti is open to all faiths, religions and traditions. Certain Bwiti tribes have even adopted other religious doctrine and practices and have incorporated them into their traditional ceremonies. The Bwiti we practice remains true to the origins of the tradition.
Why does it cost so much to work with Iboga?
Time: The process of working with Iboga takes time and care. Your Shaman, Healer, or health professional will spend many days closely counselling and monitoring you before, during and after the ceremony. In addition, you receive ongoing consulting after the retreat itself.
-Inclusive: Iboga retreats include all food and accommodations, counseling, medicine ceremonies and activities depending on location.
-Quality of Medicine: The Iboga we work with is hand harvested by our Missoko Bwiti Tribe in Gabon, Africa. It is quality controlled and cultivated with respect and intention.
-Specialization: The training required to become a proficient Iboga Healer requires significant time and sacrifice and regular travels to and from Africa. Extensively trained Bwiti Iboga Healers are rare to come by.
This work is not profit-driven, but priced to cover expenses, provide our Healers with a fair income for their work, and ensure some money flows back to our Bwiti family in Gabon, Africa.
Working with Iboga is an investment in yourself and in your life. It is often a once in a lifetime event. We urge you to do your research and select an option to work with competent, experienced, and well-trained Healers, in a safe and comfortable environment.
Quality is key.
And because frankly it works wonders.
What’s the difference between Iboga and Ayahuasca?
~ Both Iboga and Ayahuasca are powerful medicines that assist people with a variety of Ailments of the body, mind and spirit.
~ Ayahuasca is made of two plants predominantly found in the Amazonian rainforest and first utilized by the Indigenous people of the region in a Shamanic context. People describe colourful out worldly images and beings that often embu them with insights, messages and possible solutions. Its effects during ceremony last an average of 6 to 8 hours. Ayahuasca is also commonly referred to as The Grandmother.
~ Iboga is one plant found exclusively in Equatorial Central West Africa, mainly in the country of Gabon. The Indigenous people of this region have been using Iboga for thousands of years for physical healing, spiritual healing and spiritual discovery. It has been called by many as The Tree of Knowledge. It’s more introspective than outwardly described. Many speak of experiencing memories, awareness of life patterns and deeply personal realisations. People often speak of Iboga as a male spirit. It is often referred to as The Chief or Godfather of plant spirits. However, Iboga also contains both male and female spirits. The effects last in varying degrees in a range of 18-36 hours.
Can Iboga cure me?
~ It would be best described as assisting someone in their own healing. It gives someone more ability to accept and take deeper action in whatever it is that ails them.
Q: Are there any contraindications for Iboga?
~Yes! Psychoactive medications such as amitriptyline, Elavil, Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and any type of benzodiazepine need an adjustment period, a weaning phase. This could be from days to months depending on medication, dosage and length of use.
Iboga can interact and increase effects of certain drugs and must not be taken until certain types of drugs, especially antidepressants, antipsychotics, amphetamines, and other prescription medications or illicit drugs.
In a rapid drug detox it is imperative a person meet many physical and psychological requirements as the detox process can potentially be fatal in some cases.
Certain physical conditions can be dangerous and even fatal when ingestion Iboga and it’s derivatives.
However, like many other traditional healing ways, Missoko Bwiti has a cornucopia of other traditional medicines, herbs, plants and barks that assist with a variety of physical conditions.
Those who do not meet the criteria necessary to engage in an Iboga Psycho Spiritual Journey or detox may find relief through these other traditional healings.
Can Iboga be dangerous?
~Iboga is a natural organic medicine. Considered one of, if not, the most powerful full cellular detox on the planet. It is so powerful it can literally wipe away from the body and brain some of the most addictive substances within a 24-48 hours period.
Literally it resets the cells to to their original state. IBOGA essentially removes all things that are not naturally part of the body.
It removes chemicals from drugs, food, water, the air and even chemicals released from from negative thought patterns. It fights to tear away the attachments that have been formed in the body and mind. Your mind and body are also the battleground where Iboga wages war.
With that said, it is imperative that your healer be diligent in knowing your unique tolerance both physically and mentally.
Also, each person seeking to utilize IBOGA as a healing tool must be made aware of any possible side effects and potential hazards during and after treatment.
Like any medication or treatment one must be informed and take personal care to decide if it is right for themselves.
It can be most dangerous when taken without proper supervision, assessment and care.
Iboga is not a toy or a recreational drug to be experimented with. It is a sacred visionary plant medicine, and sacrament, to be worked with under the care and guidance of someone who has been through proper training.
In an ibogaine clinic for drug detox, licensed medical staff should be in attendance.
For psycho-spiritual healing with Iboga, one should be under the care of a Healer who has been initiated and received hands-on mentorship from a Bwiti Shaman in Africa while having licenced medical staff in attendance.
Bwiti training teaches not only how to know the correct amount of medicine to administer to a client. It also teaches how to work with the spirit of Iboga, the Ancestors, how to protect and care for the ceremonial space and guests (clients).
There are websites that allow you to order Iboga and Ibogaine for delivery to your home. We strongly warn against taking this route.
What are the risks?
~ it is important to be honest and disclose all information on any intake form and screening interviews for any clinical or traditional treatment.
~ As a patient or guest to any facility one must task themselves with doing their due diligence and making sure all necessary protocols are in place and taken to ensure their own personal safety.
~ Iboga treatment is no joking matter and must be handled with caution and care.
Why aren’t prices listed?
~Prices vary depending on location of the retreat and individual needs and requirements of the client.
What should I expect after working with Iboga?
~Iboga acts as a reset for physical conditions, mental and emotional processes, energetic systems and spiritual maladies. Habitual patterns of negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviour are interrupted, which provides a opportunity to make positive changes. The length of the interruption varies from person to person. Many who have undergone Missoko Bwiti healing have experienced months of freedom and find themselves able to more easily ground and live positively.
Over seven years of practice, Michael has witnessed a wide range of changes in his guests, including addiction recovery, improvement in physical symptoms and disease, relationship improvement, making major decisions for positive life change, improvement of psycho emotional conditions such as ptsd, anxiety and depression, weight loss, reduction and/or elimination of medications, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Generally, after the retreat, most people feel more grounded, centered, clear, at peace, connected to their intuition and comfortable in their own skin.
Sometimes the changes are like night and day. Sometimes they are more subtle.
Remember, Iboga continues to work with you on a spiritual/energetic level for weeks, if not months, after the Ceremony. This can be experienced through intuitive guidance, changes in life circumstances and relationships, messages or visions in the dream state, and through your thoughts and emotions. Michael is available for counsel as required throughout this process.
Do you have an aftercare program?
~ Yes, each guest has arranged aftercare sessions according to each guests individual needs.
~ additional aftercare is provided upon need and request. ( See aftercare page)
~At our retreats, aftercare is provided for a minimum of 36 hours after the closing of each the ceremony. During this time, our staff monitors, cares for, and provides counseling to guests. This can be a time where guests feel open, sensitive, and emotional, so rest and good quality care is important.
After the retreat itself, Iboga continues to work on a Spiritual and energetic level. Michael continues to provide counseling and consulting guests via face to face meetings, phone or Skype. This helps them to integrate the healing into their day-to-day life, and to take action and implement change.( See aftercare page)