This page is informational. Iboga Wellness Center does not treat or diagnose any condition or illness.
People from all walks of life come to the Iboga Wellness Center. Some people come for depression, anxiety, PTSD, belief systems, or all the above and everything in between. All of these problems are manifestations of a one larger, underlying core issue which is losing control of your own thoughts and how we perceive them. Instead of focusing on the “why” (such as making decisions based on past trauma and reliving them over and over or past trauma belief systems around who we are), it can be beneficial to focus on the solution. What do we want rather than what do we not want.
Iboga heals many things in the body and brain physically speaking, but it is important to realize the mind, body, soul are connected and all a part of who we are. Iboga does have the properties to reset our brain chemistry back to the proper baseline state. Reconnecting with yourself, soul and managing the mind is necessary to heal. Iboga goes to work on all 3 mind, body, and soul.
At Iboga Wellness Center we talk a lot about regaining the power of managing your thoughts and what we do with our thoughts. It is something that becomes a habit once people realize that your thoughts are like trains coming and going at a train station. You can choose which train to get on and which train to let pass. You have the power to choose whether that process is very complicated or very simple. During an iboga retreat you can learn so much about yourself and break the cycle of negative thinking. The process can have its ups and downs but one thing is for sure, learning to manage the mind is the most important skill we can learn.
Shamans and Science
The use of psychedelic substances in the treatment of conditions such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, addiction, and schizophrenia have been studied extensively by scientists around the world. Some recently published studies have tested the use of LSD to treat alcoholism and the use of MDMA to treat post traumatic stress. One substance in particular that has been studied in a wide range of areas is Ibogaine, which is one isolated alkaloid within the iboga TA or iboga rootbark.
Research studies regarding the use of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders and conditions are making a comeback, and the results thus far are more than promising. Shamans and indigenous tribes have known of the healing properties of their sacred herbs for centuries, but now science may be catching up with what has always been known by shamans. Scientists tend to focus on synthetic psychedelics and observe changes in the brain regarding neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin and document various physiological and behavioral changes. Shamans, by contrast, offer a spiritual approach based around working with the “spirit of the plant” and “breaking open one’s mind” to help achieve the individual’s goals of increased wellness. Spirituality is commonly left out of any scientific study, but shamans know there is a direct connection between the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a person as a whole. The difference in the schools of thought between science and shamanism may never mesh, but each new study conducted and published is a step in the right direction to help educate and spread awareness.
The Iboga Therapy Process
It is important for any potential participant an iboga ceremony understands that partaking in a psycho-spiritual experience to help depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health concerns doesn’t result in an instant solution. Iboga and Ibogaine are not “magic pills” that relieve all symptoms and struggles. While the properties of iboga and ibogaine can prove instrumental in sparking realizations, and aiding in the process of reprogramming thought patterns, it is merely one part of the entire experience.
The best results of an iboga ceremony come when the participant is committed to the process, and prepared to maintain an open mind and heart while focusing on being an active player in their own healing. Each individual’s process can look different. Some may experience an immense amount of progress in a short period of time, while others need more time. No journey with iboga is the same, which is normal and expected. The best way to describe iboga is a “tool” for helping yourself. At Iboga Wellness Center, we view iboga as more of a master healing plant instead of a “psychedelic”. We help people on a mental, physical and spiritual level. Providing attention to all three are important and necessary during the iboga process.
Iboga for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
How can iboga help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? People who have participated in the iboga process to work through PTSD often describe the experience as comparable to 10 years of counseling compacted into a week. Many people who have undergone iboga session in the hopes of easing symptoms of PTSD, have said that the process gave them a chance to relive a traumatic event from an observer’s point of view. During the retreat they were able to process the situation from a different perspective, forgive, and release the pain of the traumatic event. The iboga process helped them to move on, and experience closure for the first time. While each individual’s journey is different when processing PTSD, iboga has proven a beneficial step in many of our guest’s experiences.