Iboga
- revealing the states of the human mind
Tabernanthe iboga is a shrub that grows in Central Africa and traditionally has its place in rites of passage and healing ceremonies among many tropical African cultures, used to effectively develop the spiritual element of the human mind.
In medicine, Iboga is mainly used as an addictive suppressant. Users of excessive alcohol, heroin, cocaine and other harmful drugs, often use ibogaine to get rid of their addiction. Its use in the treatment of addiction has developed a medical subculture, with an interest in researching the clinical use of Iboga and its therapeutic properties.
The studies of Iboga has not only proven its effectiveness in reducing the severity of addiction but also eliminating the withdrawal syndrome associated with addiction, as well as reducing the compulsive desire to take drugs.
The Iboga experience can facilitate a deep review of one's personal history and current situation and thus a change in behaviour and perception of the role one holds in social constellations and societies.
Fight addiction with connection
One might wonder, is it smart to fight addiction with a drug? But the most important quality of ibogaine is that it is non-addictive unlike other popular models to combat drug abuse. Methadone, which forces the patient to continue taking methadone despite having fully recovered from the addiction.
When the patient ingests ibogaine, the liver converts it to nor-ibogaine. Nor-ibogaine is stored in the fat cells of the body and acts as a repellent against negative thoughts and drug-related cravings.
Nor-ibogaine is a fast-acting drug that is able to show miraculous results as soon as 72 hours after ingestion. The motive is then to achieve a state of well-being, free of substance cravings and synchronised with positive thoughts. Ibogaine hydrochloride is known to work best for patients suffering from stimulant addiction.
Iboga alters the levels of endorphins, dopamine, adrenaline, and other relevant brain chemicals, forcing them to reach their pre-addiction state. Rebalancing brain chemistry can take several weeks or even months depending on the severity of the addiction problem. It is important to note that patients suffering from antidepressant addiction take longer to recover compared to drug abuse. Research confirm that the mental and physical dependence on pharmaceutical drugs is far greater than the dependence associated with plant and natural medicine.
The phases of the Iboga recovery
The iboga experience in connection with recovery from addiction is divided into three states. The initial phase starts a few hours after consuming Ibogaine. This phase is also called the waking dream state, in which the patient is able to relate to the subconscious as well as conscious states of the human mind. In this mental phase, the patient is able to find the actual cause behind the addiction. This allows the patient to understand the cause, effect and solution of the current condition.
While Iboga reveals these findings to the patient within 48 hours, the most commonly used medical processes often take several months to ascertain the underlying causes of the patient's addiction.
The secondary phase starts 24-48 hours after taking Iboga. Here the patient goes into an introspective state that connects the subconscious and consciousness. This causes for the vast majority a severe feeling of depression, lack of focus and excessive weakness. The negative thoughts that come in this phase may seem traumatic to some but have a purpose. The occurrence of negative thoughts should be considered a blessing in disguise by removing negative energy from the body. The moment a negative thought arises, it leaves the body and disappears forever. At treatment centres, there is always an attendant present during this phase who talks to the patient, makes him feel comfortable and gives him necessary medication to suppress anxiety levels if necessary. This is the most important phase to dissolve the destructive behaviour.
The last phase does not occur until 2-3 weeks after consumption of Ibogaine. This is the transition phase from converting negative energy to positive energy. During this period, the patient makes new choices following a new awareness of himself and incorporating a new lifestyle.