Iboga Retreat Frequently Asked Questions

You must make this very personal and important decision for yourself, but we are here to help. To ensure a safe Iboga experience, guests will go through our intake process to determine if there are any discriminating health factors or medications. Once the process is complete, the experience is very safe. Besides that, the main requirement for a successful Iboga experience is the willingness to heal by accepting the truth and letting go. This is the main marker for when someone is ready; if they are, they will experience powerful healing. In the Bwiti tradition, Iboga is for everyone and is used in “initiations” or coming-of-age ceremonies that connect boys and girls to the tradition and the community. The initiations help to root these into themselves, ensuring a healthy adult life. They will also have ceremonies again when people have deviated from a healthy path and need to course-correct their lives or heal somehow. As is true to our tradition, we believe that all people can benefit from an Iboga ceremony. Typically, we work with people who are seeking alleviation from depression, anxiety, ptsd, trauma, bad habits, self-hatred, anger, traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease, auto-immune diseases, and more. Feel free to reach out and we are happy to discuss this in greater detail.

Your journey starts with scheduling a call with one of our providers where we will go over your reasons for seeking Iboga, your health, your medications and recreational usage and other health components. Aside from health - readiness to heal, willingness to change, being open to guidance, honesty and transparency, and the determination to put it all into daily practice are all things we look for in a potential guest. Some medications and substances can be contraindicated. We will go over that within the call to ensure you are in a good space to participate. An EKG (electrocardiogram) will be required for participation. On occasion, we may ask for a different panel if medically necessary, but this is not common. We will guide you through the process, and are happy to answer questions along the way.

Our groups are kept small intentionally. We never have more than 4 guests per group. Our goal is to maximize the time you spend with your providers, and to ensure you get the right amount of care. For those that wish to have a private retreat, these can be arranged based on availability, although the minimum donation will be higher.

Iboga Rebirth is a 508(c)(1)(a) non-profit faith based organization. Essentially, it's a shelter that allows us to be Bwiti without fear of persecution and allows others who seek to understand Bwiti sincerely through our guidance the same privilege. Since we live our lives Bwiti, Iboga is inseparable from our lives. In Bwiti, they say "There is no Bwiti without Iboga, and no Iboga without Bwiti." The word "church" is very old, and brings with it biblical connotations, but Bwiti Tradition is a traditional spiritual path that does not require "followers". It's a code and pact we make to be true and honest to ourselves. It's between "You and you" as they say. There are no requirements or pressures from us on how you move forward and choose to live your life. We just ask that you come with sincerity.

It depends. The short answer is no. Iboga is a serious undertaking and a very powerful teacher. Our spots are reserved for those who truly wish to heal deeply. Having a curiosity is fine, but truly wanting to turn over a new leaf is what we look for. We do not accept people that just "want to try it". Occasionally, we encounter people who say they are "just curious" but really are nervous to be honest about the their reason for seeking this experience. We encourage everyone to be as transparent as possible, so our staff can assess every situation properly.

No. We have people from all religions attend. In a lot of cases, people leave with deepened faith and more authenticity in their direct life experience whether that is with faith, their jobs, partnerships etc. Bwiti and Iboga is for everybody regardless of race, color, creed or religion. It is the study of life itself, and a way to form a deeper relationship with ourselves and the natural world around us.

One of the more dangerous elements to the emergence of western plant medicine circles is western people making the claim that they are shamans. We highly recommend that you view this claim as a red flag when choosing whom to work with in the west. In Bwiti Tradition, to become a shaman or "Nima" is a very long and arduous path that typically starts in childhood. It carries with it multiple initiations, a vast understanding of the plant and animal life in the jungles of Gabon and a lifetime of immersion in the Bwiti Tradition as well as decades of experience. The self-proclaimed title of "shaman" by various western people can be an attempt to glorify themselves and in our view, has no place in this very sacred work. We are Bwiti Iboga Providers. We have been traditionally trained and indigenously initiated as well as given express permission by our shaman to work with Iboga outside of Gabon. It is work that we cherish and consider a great honor.

Iboga, often called the "Godfather of all Plant Medicines," contains a wealth of alkaloids with profound healing potential. Researchers have identified dozens of compounds in the Tabernanthe Iboga shrub, yet most remain unexplored as therapeutic agents. This suggests that Iboga's true power may lie in the synergy of its many molecules working together rather than any single compound. Modern medical approaches, however, focus on just one alkaloid—Ibogaine. Ibogaine has been extensively studied and shown to alleviate symptoms of drug addiction, withdrawal, depression, PTSD, and other mental health challenges. It has also demonstrated promise in addressing physical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune disorders, and even viruses like HIV and Hepatitis. While the scientific evidence behind Ibogaine is impressive, it is only one part of Iboga’s complex chemistry. More importantly, Iboga is a sacred plant medicine with an intelligent, healing spirit. By isolating Ibogaine, the extraction process removes the spirit and the full spectrum of healing potential that Iboga offers. There is also the component of Indigenous framework. It is said in Bwiti, "There's no Iboga without Bwiti and no Bwiti without Iboga." Essentially, this boils down the Bwiti Tradition and its teachings being an integral part of the experience and how to get the most from it. Choosing Iboga over Ibogaine provides a deeper, more holistic healing experience that integrates the plant's spiritual and therapeutic essence. It is this comprehensive nature of Iboga that makes it unparalleled as a tool for transformation and recovery.

While Iboga has great benefits for those struggling with substance abuse, it is important to note that we are not a detox center. It's an entirely different process. We require time off from substances as a prerequisite to attend for safety and accuracy reasons. However, if addiction has been a theme in your life and you seek to break that pattern for good and are currently clean, we may be able to help you. If you are currently dependent on substances, we can offer resources for Iboga Assisted Detox.