When you take this plant, it pulls out all your deep, dark secrets and hidden feelings so you can deal with them and move on.
But there's a catch to it.
Let's dive into Iboga and its powerful element called ibogaine. We'll chat about how people use it, how it kicks in, and what to consider before giving it a shot.
What is Ibogaine
Ibogaine is a powerful substance found in certain plants that belong to the Apocynaceae family. The Tabernanthe iboga is typically the go-to plant for this.
Along with eggplant juice, different plants like Voacanga africana and Tabernaemontana undulata are used to get this component. You can even create it from voacangine if needed.
Ibogaine has been around for ages. It started with the Pygmy tribes of Central Africa who used the plant for all sorts of things, like killin' your hunger or getting in touch with the spirits. Nowadays, ibogaine is heavily used to help folks struggling with addictions - even though it's got some not-so-awesome health risks compared to stuff like ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT, and ketamine, which are usually safer bets for therapy.
What Does Ibogaine Feel Like?
Ibogaine is a strong psychedelic that can make you feel disconnected from reality and even bring on some dreamy vibes.
To get its fast-acting punch, you've got two choices: raw iboga plant bark or the concentrated version. The iboga plant has not only ibogaine but 11 other alkaloids that could do their own thing in your body.
Here's the scoop - the trip from the iboga plant goes on way longer and tends to lean more towards diving into deeper spiritual realms compared to the quicker hit from concentrated ibogaine.
With that said, both the iboga plant and ibogaine experience can be broken down into two phases the visionary stage and the introspection phase.
The Visionary Stage
Once you pop that ibogaine, get ready to chill for about one to two hours before things really get rolling.
The trip starts slow and steady, but as time ticks on, it takes hold and cranks it up a notch. Soon, you'll start seeing funky sights - think trippy patterns and mind-bending visuals that keep ramping up.
Around half an hour in, you'll slide into a dreamy state; your surroundings might twist into something surreal or stay in the real world, feeling like a vivid dream. This is where your hidden thoughts and feelings sneak out, wearing the disguise of a dream. The gnarly thing is, you're wide awake through it all and can remember every twist when it's all done.
This mind-bending journey is what makes ibogaine a heavy hitter when it comes to tackling trauma and facing your inner demons. It grabs you by the hand and drags you into dealing with the ghosts of traumatic events that might still be haunting you.
This stage can be very uncomfortable. You may endure an ego-death experience, forcing you to explore parts of your psyche you normally try to suppress.
The Introspective Phase
When the wild visuals start to fade away, get ready for the deep dive into your own mind. This introspective part kicks in about 4 to 8 hours after swallowing ibogaine, or 10-24 hours if you went straight for the raw iboga plant.
Here's where it gets real emotional - you're gonna go through a rollercoaster of feelings as your brain sorts through all the heavy stuff that got stirred up, like facing old traumas and maybe questioning your sense of self.
This phase likes to linger around for a while - some folks can stay in this semi-dreamy, thoughtful state for as long as 20 hours with ibogaine or a whooping 72 hours with the iboga plant.
During this time, it's all about being gentle with yourself and finding a safe, peaceful spot to ride it out solo. Some prefer to jot down their thoughts, others just want to sit quietly.
After the haze lifts, folks often find they're better at digging deep into their own thoughts and feelings. And get this - some users mention they need less shut-eye for a couple weeks post-trip.
How Long Does Ibogaine Last?
Once you dive into concentrated ibogaine, be ready for an all-day journey - the intense effects can stick around for up to 8 hours, followed by about 10 hours of swirling thoughts and deep soul-searching.
If you go for the raw iboga plant instead, buckle up, 'cause you're in for a long haul. The wacky visuals could keep on going for a full day, and the soul-searching session might stretch on for another 2 days.
If you're keen on trying ibogaine, make sure you've got some serious window time. Plan for at least 3 days for the whole shebang: prepare yourself for at least a day before, settle in for the full experience over a full day (24 hours), and give yourself an extra day to unwind and reboot.
What's the Dose of Ibogaine?
So, when it comes to ibogaine HCL, things get a bit more uniform – it's more consistent 'cause the alkaloid content is pretty stable. But hey, everyone's still their own unique self, so individual differences still play a big role.
In medical studies, folks usually get served up a dose that lands somewhere between 10 to 55 milligrams per kilogram of body weight – that's the sweet spot for feeling the effects just right.
Microdosing Ibogaine
Okay, let's talk microdosing! Basically, it's when you take a tiny amount of a mind-altering substance that won't make you feel the effects.
But here's the catch - with ibogaine, most peeps, including the pros, aren't really gung-ho about microdosing. It's a whole different ball game compared to other substances. If you insist, it's quick checks with the doc time, especially if your ticker's not tip-top as ibogaine can mess with your heart.
For the curious cats out there, the go-to method for microdosing involves whipping up a tincture from dried iboga shrub root bark. The magic number is about 1 gram worth of tincture, but the amount you gulp down varies based on how potent your tincture is. Be cautious, my friends.
Is Ibogaine Legal?
Legal stuff can be a maze, especially when it comes to psychedelics like ibogaine. Different countries have different rules - some say it's a no-go, others have it on lockdown for approved uses only, and others let peeps dive into research but not actual treatment.
In the U.S., ibogaine is a big ol' nope except for Oakland and Oregon, where they cut some slack.
Up north in Canada, it's tagged as a Natural Healthcare Product. A good handful of ibogaine clinics are open there, giving folks a shot at this treatment. Recently though, some peeps wanna switch things up and ban ibogaine 'cause they're worried 'bout its not-so-friendly side effects.
Ibogaine is legal in Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, Gabon, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Costa Rica.
Is Ibogaine risky business?
While ibogaine therapy can be a game-changer, it's no joke in terms of the possible dangers lurking.
Sadly, there have been instances where folks have passed away after taking ibogaine, mostly due to heart issues.
It's worth noting that these incidents aren't just out of the blue. In most cases, individuals who faced fatal consequences had pre-existing heart problems or were on meds that don't play nice with ibogaine.