Iboga Treatment

Origin & Tradition

The use of the Iboga plant for treatment originates from the indigenous Bwiti people of Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo in West Africa. For centuries, the Bwiti have revered Iboga as a sacred plant, integral to their spiritual and healing practices. In Bwiti tradition, Iboga is used in initiation ceremonies and healing rituals, believed to facilitate communication with the spiritual world and provide profound insights and guidance.

Iboga’s alkaloids, particularly ibogaine, induce a powerful visionary state that allows individuals to access deep psychological and spiritual insights. The Bwiti use Iboga to treat a variety of physical and psychological ailments, believing it helps to cleanse the body and mind, resolve past traumas, and connect with ancestral spirits. This holistic approach encompasses not only physical healing but also emotional and spiritual growth, making Iboga a cornerstone of Bwiti culture and traditional medicine.

Substance Dependence

Substance dependence encompasses a wide range of behaviours where individuals rely on various substances to achieve desired effects or alleviate discomfort. This dependency can include everyday substances like caffeine and nicotine found in coffee and cigarettes, pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for pain or anxiety relief, as well as more addictive substances such as opioids and cocaine. Additionally, substances like sugar and junk food can also contribute to addictive behaviours, affecting mood and energy levels. Whether seeking stimulation, relaxation, or temporary relief from emotional distress, the reliance on these substances can become compulsive, leading to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms upon cessation, and significant impacts on physical health, mental well-being, and social functioning. Recognizing the diversity of substances involved—from common stimulants to highly processed foods—is essential in understanding and addressing the complex nature of dependence and promoting paths towards recovery and healthier lifestyles.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that involve disturbances in eating behaviors, emotions, and self-perception. They often manifest as an unhealthy obsession with food, body weight, and shape, leading to severe disturbances in eating habits and attitudes towards food. Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, each characterized by distinct patterns of behavior. These disorders can have devastating physical and psychological consequences, affecting both physical health and emotional well-being. Individuals with eating disorders may experience intense guilt, shame, and anxiety surrounding food and body image, which can impair daily functioning and relationships. Treatment for eating disorders typically involves a combination of nutritional counseling, psychotherapy, and medical monitoring to address underlying emotional issues, develop healthier eating habits, and promote overall recovery and well-being. Early intervention and comprehensive support are crucial in helping individuals with eating disorders regain a healthy relationship with food and achieve lasting recovery.

Here are some potential ways Iboga treatment could theoretically help with eating disorders:

• Psychological Insights: Iboga’s psychedelic properties may facilitate deep introspection and insight into the underlying emotional and psychological factors contributing to the eating disorder. This heightened self-awareness could aid individuals in confronting and processing traumatic experiences, negative beliefs about body image, or unresolved emotional issues that drive disordered eating behaviors.
• Neurochemical Effects: Ibogaine, found in Iboga, interacts with neurotransmitter systems in the brain, potentially influencing mood, cognition, and addictive behaviors. This interaction may help reduce obsessive thoughts about food, cravings for certain foods, or compulsive eating behaviors associated with eating disorders.
• Resetting Patterns: Iboga treatment is believed to have a “resetting” effect on neural pathways, which could potentially interrupt the cycle of disordered eating behaviors and provide individuals with a fresh perspective on their relationship with food and body image.
• Holistic Approach: Iboga treatment often involves a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the physical aspects of eating disorders but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions. This comprehensive approach may support individuals in developing healthier coping mechanisms, improving self-esteem, and fostering a more balanced relationship with food.

Trauma

Trauma encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences ranging from emotional neglect to severe abuse, each profoundly impacting an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. It can result from single distressing events or prolonged exposure to overwhelming circumstances, leaving lasting psychological scars. Effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, including heightened anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation, and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. Individuals may also experience physical symptoms such as insomnia, chronic pain, and hypervigilance. Trauma not only affects the individual directly but also influences their worldview, sense of safety, and ability to trust others. Effective treatment often involves therapy modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and trauma-focused approaches, aiming to process and integrate traumatic experiences, restore a sense of safety, and promote healing and resilience.
Here are ways Iboga treatment could theoretically help with trauma:

• Psycho-spiritual Insights: Iboga’s psychedelic properties may induce a deep introspective state that allows individuals to access and process traumatic memories and emotions. This heightened awareness can facilitate profound insights and understanding, aiding in the resolution of unresolved trauma and emotional wounds.
• Neurochemical Effects: Ibogaine, a compound found in Iboga, interacts with neurotransmitter systems in the brain, potentially altering patterns of thought and behavior related to trauma. This neurochemical interaction may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD by resetting neural pathways associated with fear and emotional regulation.
• Spiritual and Existential Healing: Iboga treatment is often viewed as a spiritual journey that can provide individuals with a sense of connection to themselves, others, and the universe. This existential healing aspect may help individuals find meaning and purpose beyond their traumatic experiences, fostering resilience and a renewed sense of identity.
• Holistic Approach: Iboga treatment typically involves a holistic approach to healing, addressing not only the psychological aspects of trauma but also the spiritual and emotional dimensions. This comprehensive approach supports individuals in integrating their traumatic experiences into their life story, promoting a sense of empowerment and self-compassion.

What To Expect

Holistic iboga treatment, often used for addiction recovery and spiritual growth, involves the use of the iboga plant, native to Central Africa. Here are key aspects to expect from such a treatment:

Holistic iboga treatment, often used for addiction recovery and spiritual growth, involves the use of the iboga plant, native to Central Africa. Here are key aspects to expect from such a treatment:

1. Preparation Phase

• Medical and Psychological Assessment: A thorough assessment to ensure the candidate is fit for the treatment, as iboga can have significant physiological and psychological effects.
• Detoxification: For those undergoing treatment for addiction, a period of detoxification might be required before the iboga session.
• Setting Intentions: Participants are often encouraged to set personal intentions or goals for the treatment.

2. The Iboga Session

• Environment: Typically conducted in a controlled, safe, and serene setting, often under the guidance of experienced facilitators or shamans.
• Dosage and Administration: The administration of iboga or its extract, ibogaine, in doses tailored to the individual’s needs.
• Experience: The iboga experience can last between 12-24 hours. It is intense and can include profound visions, deep introspection, and a wide range of emotional and physical sensations.

3. Physical and Psychological Effects

• Physical Effects: These may include nausea, vomiting, ataxia (loss of coordination), and changes in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Psychological Effects: Participants may experience vivid and often intense visions, deep emotional processing, and insights into personal issues or traumas.

4. Integration Phase

• Post-Session Care: Monitoring and support immediately after the session, ensuring the participant’s safety as they come down from the experience.
• Therapeutic Support: Integration sessions with therapists or counselors to help process and make sense of the iboga experience.
• Lifestyle Changes: Guidance on making positive lifestyle changes based on insights gained during the session.

5. Spiritual and Emotional Growth

• Spiritual Insights: Many participants report profound spiritual experiences, feelings of interconnectedness, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world.
• Emotional Healing: The treatment can help release repressed emotions and trauma, leading to significant emotional healing and growth.

6. Follow-Up

• Continued Support: Regular check-ins and support groups to ensure long-term integration of the experience.

Holistic Practices: Incorporation of holistic practices such as meditation, yoga, and healthy eating to maintain the benefits of the treatment.

4 days

The 4-day iboga treatment package at GroSpirit is designed for those seeking a concentrated and transformative healing experience within a short time frame. This intensive program includes a thorough medical and psychological assessment to ensure safety and suitability. Upon arrival, participants will engage in pre-treatment counselling to set intentions and prepare mentally and emotionally. The core of the program features a guided iboga session, supervised by experienced facilitators in a serene and secure environment. Following the session, there is dedicated time for rest and initial integration, with support from our team to help process the experience. Complementary activities such as meditation, breathwork, and healthy, nourishing meals are provided to support overall well-being. This package ensures a profound and focused journey, offering a powerful introduction to the healing potential of iboga.

2 weeks

The 2-week iboga treatment package at GroSpirit offers an immersive and holistic healing experience designed to foster deep personal transformation. Beginning with a comprehensive medical and psychological assessment, participants undergo thorough evaluation to ensure their readiness for the journey ahead. Personalized pre-treatment counseling helps individuals clarify intentions and prepare emotionally and mentally for the process. Throughout the two weeks, participants engage in multiple guided iboga sessions, spaced strategically to facilitate profound introspection, emotional processing, and spiritual growth. These sessions are conducted by experienced guides in a serene and secure environment, ensuring a supportive atmosphere conducive to healing.

In addition to iboga sessions, the program includes a variety of therapeutic modalities aimed at enhancing overall well-being and integration. Daily yoga sessions provide physical grounding and promote flexibility and strength, while meditation sessions cultivate mindfulness and inner peace, fostering a deeper connection to the self and the healing journey. Breathwork techniques are employed to enhance relaxation, release tension, and facilitate emotional catharsis. Sound healing sessions utilize mantras, singing bowls, and natural sounds to create harmonious vibrations that promote relaxation and energetic balance.

Nature immersion plays a central role in the healing process, with participants encouraged to connect with the natural surroundings of Andalusia. This includes guided walks in nature, allowing for reflection and grounding amidst the region’s scenic beauty of rolling hills, olive groves, and expansive skies. Nourishing, organic meals complement the healing journey, supporting the body’s detoxification and overall vitality. The program is facilitated with continuous care and guidance from a team of professionals, including medical staff, therapists, and experienced facilitators, ensuring each participant receives personalized support throughout their transformative journey. By the end of the 2-week package, participants often report profound insights, emotional healing, and a renewed sense of purpose, prepared to continue their path towards sustained well-being and personal growth.

Location

Our iboga treatment retreat is located in the heart of Andalusia, Spain, a region renowned for its tranquil and therapeutic environment. Nestled amidst rolling hills, olive groves, and vibrant wildflowers, the retreat offers a serene and picturesque setting that promotes deep healing and introspection. The mild Mediterranean climate, with its warm, sunlit days and cool, restful nights, further enhances the therapeutic experience, allowing for optimal relaxation and rejuvenation. Situated close to pristine beaches and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, as well as majestic mountains, the location offers a diverse natural landscape perfect for nature immersion. The fresh air, combined with an abundance of nourishing local produce, supports overall well-being and physical health. The natural beauty of Andalusia, combined with its rich cultural heritage and peaceful ambiance, provides a perfect backdrop for spiritual growth and personal transformation. This idyllic location, with its abundance of natural splendor and soothing landscapes, is designed to support and enhance your iboga journey, offering a holistic sanctuary where body, mind, and spirit can harmoniously align.