Frequently Asked Questions
If your question isn't listed here, send us a message or ask us in your free consultation!
What is an Iboga Assisted Detox?
An Iboga Assisted Detox is a detox program utilizing Iboga and Iboga TA (total alkaloid extract). Both Iboga and Iboga TA work to eliminate addiction symptoms, prevent withdrawal symptoms, and address the root cause of addiction for lasting recovery.
Visit our Active Drug Detox page for active drug/alcohol users, or our Non-Active Drug Detox page for those who've detoxed from their substance.
I'm Not Addicted to Anything. Will Iboga Still Help Me?
The truth is, we're all addicted - but for many of us it comes in the form of automatic thoughts, behaviours, and coping mechanisms that keep us from being truly happy. Maybe you're addicted to negative self-talk, or self-sabotage, or a victim mentality. The tricky part is, we don't usually know what these patterns are. That's where Iboga and the teachings comes in - it shows you the truth of your mind so you can release the patterns that are standing in the way of your joy.
What is Ibogaine?
Ibogaine is an active alkaloid extracted from the Iboga root (Tabernanthe Iboga), which grows in Western Africa. Ibogaine treatment has been shown to be very successful against treating addiction - attenuating both drug dependance and withdrawal.
Iboga vs Ibogaine
The most well-known alkaloid in Iboga, Ibogaine is one of many alkaloids in the Iboga plant. Ibogaine gained notoriety when the world discovered its anti-addictive properties. While Ibogaine is an important component, the power of Iboga lies in the synergistic combination of all the active alkaloids in the plant alongside the spiritual traditions and teachings of the Bwiti. Ibogaine treatment, while often successful, doesn't address the root cause of addiction.
Dr. Sebi on Iboga:
"The Iboga plant is a plant that takes away addiction overnight. It will remove any form of addiction if you take it in the raw pure form. But ibogaine is different: now you're talking about a stepped-down version. You're talking about a chemical version. Iboga comes from central west Africa. It is one of the best plants in the world for the removal of addiction...of any kind of drugs. Yes, it is good. It is highly alkaline. One of the substances that really is found in the Iboga plant is two: iron flourine or iron phosphate, the other is calcium. This is why the reaction is so violent. Not violent but strong, because it is good, a natural plant"
Do I have to Follow a Special Diet Before Iboga?
There is no strict diet to follow for Iboga treatment. The only foods to avoid prior to your retreat are grapefruit, pomelo, and any drinks containing quinine - these food and drinks can interfere with your liver enzymes and are unsafe in combination with Iboga. We also advise avoiding alcohol and substances for at least 30 days prior to your psycho-spiritual Iboga retreat.
Is Iboga Safe?
Iboga is a very safe medicine, as long as all health precautions and tradition are carefully followed. Heart and liver conditions are contraindicated with Iboga use, so we require an electrocardiogram (EKG) kidney and liver panel to rule out any medical issues that would compromise our guests' safety. We also do not work with guests who are using medications or substances that are contraindicated with Iboga. We will also screen for psychiatric conditions and mental health stability to confirm you are fit for this medicine.
We go through a thorough screening process in your free consultation call. From there, you will need to request an EKG from your physician and potentially other medical testing depending on your situation. We will only work with those who meet our strict requirements to ensure every participant's safety.
Only guests who pass our medical screening are accepted into our retreats.
Additionally, all detox participants are monitored by medical personnel throughout the retreat.
Are There Any Contraindications to Iboga?
Drugs that affect cardiac rhythm or compromise the liver's ability to metabolize Iboga need to be discontinued prior to Iboga treatment. Many of our guests have successfully tapered off their medications with support of their family physician before attending a retreat. - book a free consult with us to find out more.
Some of the most common medications that must be discontinued prior to Iboga treatment.
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Antacids
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Antidepressants
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Antiarrhythmics
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Antifungals
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Anti-HIV
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Antihistamines
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Antipsychotics
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Antibiotics (some)
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Benzodiazepines
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Beta-blockers
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Cannabidiol (CBD)
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Diuretics
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Kratom
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Hydroxychloroquine
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Suboxone, methadone and fentanyl
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Quinine
Iboga Benefits
Iboga's benefits are both physical and spiritual - it is effective in treating addiction, mental health conditions, autoimmune disorders, and much more.
Physically, Iboga affects several key neurotransmitters (dopamine and serotonin) and neurotropic factors (N-methyl-d-aspartate, kappa-opioid, sigma, and nicotine) which support the growth of new brain cells, the functioning of existing brain cells, and the formation of new connections between neurons. Iboga is also very effective in healing addiction - both the initial withdrawal symptoms and long-term drug dependance. Post ceremony, Iboga stays with you for 3-6 months, increasing neuroplasticity so you can build new habits and change your life.
Spiritually, Iboga heals with the truth. It shows you the thoughts and patterns that are holding you back. Once you've seen the truth, you can move forward and create the life you were meant to live.
How Much Does Iboga Treatment Cost?
6 day psycho-spiritual retreats: $3500
10 day non-active detox retreat: Please contact
10-14 day active detox retreat: Please contact
Women's pre-initiation ceremony: Please contact
What is an Iboga Trip Like?
Every Iboga experience is different but there are a few commonalities: Initially, you'll feel warm, disoriented, and eventually like you want to lie down. It takes anywhere from 15 to 90 minutes to feel Iboga's effects and everyone's tolerance level is different. You may experience ataxia (difficulty with coordination) - most people need help getting to the bathroom door.
Once in ceremony, Iboga will communicate with you in the way you'll best understand. Because we're all different, the experience varies widely for everyone, but the common thread: Iboga will show you the truth inside yourself so you can heal and reconnect with your soul.
Iboga vs Ayahuasca
The main difference between Iboga and Ayahuasca is how they communicate with you. Iboga takes you inward to show you the truth about yourself. The answers are very clear and need no translation. Ayahuasca on the other hand, takes you outside yourself - sharing abstract visions that often need to be pondered and deciphered. Iboga is a knowing while Ayahuasca is more feeling.
The second difference is the number of ceremonies - it can take hundreds of Ayahuasca ceremonies to experience true healing, whereas most people only require 1-3 Iboga ceremonies for lasting transformation.
Is an Iboga Retreat a Type of Psychedelic Therapy?
Psychedelic therapy utilizes a psychedelic substance alongside talk therapy to treat mental health conditions. A traditional Bwiti Iboga retreat is similar in that we utilize Iboga alongside counselling from traditionally trained Bwiti Iboga providers to treat addiction, mental health conditions, physical ailments, and to support spiritual discovery. The Bwiti teachings are handed directly down from the medicine and are the therapeutic tools used to navigate and teach about life. These teachings which are 60% of the healing will be given in firetalk and throughout the retreat as therapy. No authentic Bwiti ceremony will be preformed without teachings or firetalk.
How Does Iboga Increase Neuroplasticity?
Iboga contains several alkaloids (including the most well-known alkaloid, Ibogaine) which work inside the brain to support the growth of new cells, increase the functioning of existing cells, and form new connections between neurons. This process is known as neuroplasticity.
Why do I need to do 2 ceremonies?
Our mentor and Shaman spent 14 years in the west studying and working with westerns. After understanding the dynamic needs and struggles we face, he developed a process to ensure healing on all levels, two ceremonies. The first ceremony is to detox the body and mind, bringing everything to the surface to be healed. You are essentially cracked open. The days in between we will guide and counsel you to hit all of your targets that you came to heal and discover. The second ceremony is where the spiritual and soul healing takes place. In the psycho-spiritual guided ceremony you will get the answers and clarity you have been seeking. After cracking you open in the first ceremony you will become whole mind, body and spirit after the psycho-spiritual ceremony.