History
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“Ibogaine, is a psychoactive alkaloid derived from the roots of the rainforest shrub Tabernanthe Iboga. The native population of Western Africa uses Ibogaine in low doses to combat fatigue, hunger and thirst in higher doses as a sacrament in religious rituals. (Fernandez 1982).”
Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid that comes from the Tabernathe plant in West Africa. A second strand of Ibogaine comes from the Voacanaga plant out of India. The original use of Iboga is found by tribes in Gabon in Africa practicing what is called the Bwiti religion. Traditionally Iboga is used as a rite of passage when members come of age. The medicine is used on a regular basis to enhance life in general. |
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History of its use by westerners goes back to the 1800's when it was used as an aphrodisiac and to strength energy. In 1960, a heroin addict named Howard Lotsof used the psychedelic with friends and found he no longer had withdrawals from heroine addiction the next day. He vowed to bring this knowledge of its use a miraculous addiction interrupter to the world. Howard Lotsof became a science scholar and dedicated his life to this cause.
He went on to become founder of the global Ibogaine Therapy alliance. In the 1980s, Lotsof convinced a Belgian company to manufacture Ibogaine in capsule form and performed successful trials in the Netherlands. The use of Ibogaine spread across Europe and was brought to the Americas by Eric Taub in 1992, who had contacted Lotsof in 1989. Lex Kogan later joined Taub and systematized the “flood dose” treatment of Ibogaine with centers across the world. Further academic research and trials were conducted by Dr. Deborah Mash in St. Kitts Island.
Since Lotsof's discovery it has been found that Iboga is useful for a number of purposes; Psychological relief and restoration, spiritual advancement, to treat depression and anxiety, to curb psychical pain, to heal psychical body and most popularly as an addiction interrupter as mentioned above. There has been much scientific research and experience use of the medicine since Lotsof's discovery. In the United States Ibogaine is a schedule one drug which has curbed research in its medical applications and is not legal for use in the United States medically at this time.
He went on to become founder of the global Ibogaine Therapy alliance. In the 1980s, Lotsof convinced a Belgian company to manufacture Ibogaine in capsule form and performed successful trials in the Netherlands. The use of Ibogaine spread across Europe and was brought to the Americas by Eric Taub in 1992, who had contacted Lotsof in 1989. Lex Kogan later joined Taub and systematized the “flood dose” treatment of Ibogaine with centers across the world. Further academic research and trials were conducted by Dr. Deborah Mash in St. Kitts Island.
Since Lotsof's discovery it has been found that Iboga is useful for a number of purposes; Psychological relief and restoration, spiritual advancement, to treat depression and anxiety, to curb psychical pain, to heal psychical body and most popularly as an addiction interrupter as mentioned above. There has been much scientific research and experience use of the medicine since Lotsof's discovery. In the United States Ibogaine is a schedule one drug which has curbed research in its medical applications and is not legal for use in the United States medically at this time.
Ibogaine
Ibogaine is one of between 12 and 24 alkaloids found in the IbogaTabernathe root bark. The Bwiti tribe uses the entire plant substance in their rituals. Ibogaine is the alkaloid that has proven to reset the receptors to a pre-addictive states. Some, but not all individuals taking the flood dose of Ibogaine will experience a wide variety of higher-level consciousness states referred to as the psychedelic experience. Ibogaine is known as an Oneurogenic, (wakeful dream-creating) medicine with hallucinogenic and psychedelic properties.
Treatment
During the overnight session with Ibogaine you are likely (but not guaranteed) to see visions and to experience a very concentrated surge of brain activity opening mental lives you didn't know where there. You will have the opportunity to observe and explore the deepest aspects of your psyche to later re-organize your thought and memories. This is a where the importance of preparation and integration comes in to for you to derive the most from your experience. You will learn more about this skill later.
Ibogaine:
“The most dramatic drug, without equal.” At the end of one of his visions, Lotsof heard a voice that told him, “You will bring Ibogaine to the world, and set it free.”
- Howard Lotsof.
