[eleni]

I think your impression is lacking. Iboga is much used for spiritual work quite independent of the use as a deeply psychological anti-addiction cure. I tried a batch in my home about 2001-2002 for that purpose, and although my trip was atypical (in that it wasn't really a "trip" at all), I do wonder to what extent it has still advanced my spiritual development in the years since. That development certainly has been big.

From the iboga trip reports I have read I get the impression that it has a very intelligent, caring and protecting effect on the subject. In descriptions of the hallucinogenic phase I have read that it can play back pivotal scenes and experiences from the subject's life such that the implicit context becomes explicit. I have also read experiences where lifetime after lifetime was lived to the fullest experience of the duration of time, which is the most mind-boggling to me personally. One testimony in particular also compared it to cleaning up a computer hard disk where the re-ordering of folders was based on a new, coherent and logical hierarchy structure and was done visually just like one would do in Windows Explorer. Another issue is that the trip is longer than with any other psychedelic I am aware of. I think the hallucinatory stage alone can last 18 hours or more.


Yes, it is lacking- no direct experience- I've only read Pinckbeck's account, Hancock's and one book on Iboga. Sounds too scary for me but then again aya is scary for others. Aya seems gentler (although that can be very rough, especially for first timers) and does similar.

I was aware it can be even longer and there have been a few bad accounts (death) from what I remember reading.

Agree that shamanic plants should not be taken lightly.

You are very brave to have done that yourself. Many see their death in this lifetime- did you see that?

Edited to add- I see Jeremy Narby is coming out with a new book on Iboga and Aya- I really enjoyed reading Cosmic Serpent years before I had aya experiences.



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Iboga Root Bark, Ibogaine, Tabernanthe iboga

The Bwiti cult and other secret cults from West Africa use Iboga to communicate to their dead ancestors. In many ways its effects and use are similar to the better known Ayahuasca from South America but the effects of the Iboga can be stronger and last much longer.


It is the yellowish root that contains the active alkaloids; the root bark is shaved and eaten directly or as a powder drank in an infusion. Cult Shamans use the Iboga Root Bark to seek information from the spiritual world and they may consume this for a full day before asking advice from the ancestors.



Much research has been done with using Ibogaine (The active alkaloid in Iboga) for drug addiction therapy. The results have been spectacular with about a 90% success rate when taken in one high dose by an opiate or even alcohol addict it drastically reduces the withdrawal symptoms and gives the patent an insight with clear visions into his or her own life, revealing the personal cause of the addiction. This in turn enables the patient to go for months without a relapse."


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A direct experiential comparison of Iboga and Ayahuasca is impossible: they are both teachers of the highest order. Only the rituals can be compared. A Bwiti ceremony is a week long procedure, and that is when rushed for Europeans. Two days cleansing (internal/external), imbibing and then one to two days other side, then three to more days needed for rest and recuperation. The process is understood as being first day dying, second day death, third day onwards rebirth. This is a SERIOUS plant. With ayahuasca there are often people in Peru, and other places, who conduct less than sacred rituals - I know I experienced that once. You would never find that here, the people regard this as the ultimate sacrament, when discussing it, it is never 'Iboga' it is always 'l'iboga sacre' (sacred iboga) or 'l'boue sacre' (sacred drink) . The ritual is not conducted by a single shaman. The entire village takes part, each individual having a specific role to play, instrument to play, part to sing, and they know the ceremony intimately. Having an entire village dedicate two solid days or more to helping you clearly see through the fabric of this reality in the most profound manner by singing, chanting, dancing is an incomparable experience that even now moves me deeply. There is such love emanating from these people. And it isn't your normal African percussive trance inducing music ceremony - the chief instrument is the eight string harp of David, the drums are brought out for only a couple minutes in the whole ceremony, there are so many instruments played, all of them having spiritual significance. I think the drums are used as a last resort, used for those who have 'blockages' as they referred to them. For those who need a real atom-smasher. The music is of a light and angelic nature as opposed to a heavy trancelike beat. Trying to use words to describe the effect of the music is impossible. It was too beautiful for thoughts, let alone words. The fact that it is a combined effort by the whole village, and that you are the centre of focus, you are the 'Banzie', the neophyte, initiate, makes this a very powerful experience indeed. I won't go into detail on the actual experience - it is the method that the experience is served to you that is so impressive, profound and overwhelming."