What is Iboga?

Iboga

What is Iboga?

Known as “the greatest hunter for truth inside of us”, this sacred plant medicine has been used and cherished for centuries within West Africa by the Pigmy and Bwiti people. Held within sacred ceremony, they have been able to truly connect with the spirit of the medicine, allowing for self-discovery and deep healing, on many levels.

Within more recent years, as with many sacred medicines and ancient teachings, Iboga has made its way to the west. Being that this new culture carries with it its own unique troubles and wounds, the medicine’s healing spirit has proven to see no borders – helping countless people in overcoming a wide variety of physical, emotional, spiritual and mental issues.

How does Iboga work?

In a held space with an experienced facilitator, one is eased into a ceremony. Orally ingesting the appropriate amount of the plant’s dried up root bark; a “journey taker” will be led on a psycho spiritual journey. How this looks varies for each individual, and an experience can also drastically differ each time one revisits the medicine. It is most important for one to go into this experience with clear intentions, as we are after all working with the spirit of the medicine as well as our soul, and we very much get what we give from this. Questions like “why do I do this in my life” or “how can I be more successful at this” are ideal. Participants have commonly shared stories of having the ability to access childhood memories or receive vivid insight into their lives; this may come in as visions or simple realizations. Another interesting aspect that sets Iboga apart from other teacher plant medicines is how the medicine continues to work after a ceremony. Once ingested, one of 13 alkaloids Ibogaine, gets converted through the liver into a metabolite called NorIbogaine, and is stored in the body’s fat cells. Commonly reported is a “supportive presence” from the medicine that lingers for months or even years after they have completed a ceremony. This is particularly beneficial to individuals who are having problems breaking addiction or bad habits.

It is most important that the facilitator of the ceremony shapes it in such a way that it is suitable to their demographic. After all, the harsh ways of a Gabonese ceremony, including multi day fire dancing and heavy ingestion of the medicine, would simply be too harsh on the average westerner. People such as my wife Geraldine and myself (Johnny), at Get to the Root, who are experienced and dedicated to facilitating Iboga healing retreats, are of paramount importance. We ensure that our guests are fully supported, from our initial intake, through ceremony and up until their aftercare, well after the retreat. Our work also extends beyond Iboga. We also include other supportive practices such as an initial guided grounding and centering meditation, one on one coaching and holistic breathwork.

As facilitators of this practice, we truly believe in the healing abilities that this sacred medicine holds. As many have a limited awareness of Iboga and what it does, we are happy for this opportunity to introduce it to those who are interested.

For more information on Iboga, retreats or casual local “Iboga park talks” feel free to visit www.gettotheroot.ca

Johnny and partner Geraldine are dedicated to helping you live your best life.

Shift Intuiti ve/Psychic Readings

“Leigh is a very gifted psychic. I was in a transitional time in my life when I fi rst met Leigh for a reading. She was able to translate what she was “getting” into concrete and practical applications for my life. That reading helped me to move forward with confi dence that I was in the right place at the right time.” Denise Call 250-619-3815 or email Leigh at: shift 123@shaw.ca