How does iboga work?
The effect of ibogaine cannot be described in detail, only experienced, because it is very personal. Small amounts (up to 5 mg/kg) have a stimulating effect, higher doses a psychedelic and hallucinogenic one. As described in detail further below, the iboga root gives people deep realisations and insights into the true causes underlying their basic problems. As a result, not only do many drug addicts free themselves from their addiction, trauma patients and people with mental illness also report healing. In addition, it means that no or only very mild withdrawal symptoms occur during heroin withdrawal. All of this is documented with sources and experience reports.
The effects in detail
In general, the effects of ibogaine can be broken down as follows:
- stimulating effect
- visions with closed eyes: important life events, even from earliest childhood or, according to some reports, apparently also from past lives, play like a film in relation to current problems. However, you only get the desired visions with your eyes closed! Opening your eyes interrupts them, which allows some users to skip situations that are too overwhelming.
- deep realisations and insights into the causes and connections of your own problems through epiphany (the sudden realisation of a great truth)
- religious, spiritual and mystical feelings
- well-being and inner warmth, especially during opioid withdrawal (probably a result of raised serotonin and dopamine levels; often only after the experience, but then it lasts for weeks!)
- strain on body and mind (depending on the dose, physical fatigue sometimes lasts more than 24 hours, so you should take the next 2 days off!)
- hallucinations (less with open eyes, but also affecting other senses, especially hearing)
- waking dreams
- insight into the subconscious
- stronger self-confidence
- reduction or even suspension of opioid withdrawal symptoms
- reduction of craving (the urge for drugs) up to overcoming the addiction
- stimulation of the imagination
- access to early childhood memories
- antidepressant effect
- Small doses: mood-lifting, stimulating, sexually arousing
Possible side effects
However, side effects are also possible (mostly with improper use such as overdose or mixed use, or use despite pre-existing organic conditions):
- dizziness and nausea
- vomiting (occurs in at most 30% and only lasts a short time)
- physical mobility temporarily restricted during the strong phase of the effect (so it is best to lie down)
- lowers blood pressure and digestive activity
- reduces appetite (some sources report increased appetite and stimulated digestion instead)
- physical and mental fatigue in the hours afterwards
- can cause allergic reactions (so before taking it, check with a small amount whether you are allergic to ibogaine)
- rare: anxiety (you are confronted with the core of your problems, which is not always pleasant)
- cramps and symptoms of paralysis
- heart rhythm disorders
- Heart rhythm disorders. From 1990 to 2008, 19 people died after taking it, mostly with pre-existing heart conditions or other drugs involved. Whether iboga alone was the cause has not been established (Alper and others 2012).