Book Top Iboga Retreats
Sacred medicine ceremonies supporting profound healing, personal revelation and lasting transformation
Top Iboga Retreats
Top-Rated 5-Day 4-Night Group Ibogaine Retreat To Cure Addiction
Last Chance
March 22 - 26, 2025
Anonymous says, "Nirvana brought warmth & wisdom to my time in Sayulita. She exudes expertise & groundedness to the experience. " See more
$7,997
/ 5 days
4.88
Iboga Wellness Center, Iboga Retreat
March 31 - April 7, 2025
Texas says, "IWC gave me my life back. I have a peace beyond all understanding. I feel a hope for my future. I came to IWC as a last resort. Something had to change. I knew I could not live another year the way things were." See more
$3,750
/ 8 days
4.74
Ghieno A Ndzambe IBOGA Ceremony (Babongo Bwete Miobe Ombudi Lineage) Costa Rica
April 7 - 11, 2025
Anonymous says, "Attended for my first iboga experience in Aug 2023. I can honestly say I have never experienced dedication such as been shown to me by Manga and Kuma. They truly live this medicine, and I am incredibly grateful for the hard work they put in." See more
From $3,000
/ 5 days
5.00
All-Inclusive 7-day Ibogaine Treatment in Cozumel Island Mexico, by MindScape Retreats
Flexible Dates
$8,000
Top Iboga Retreat Centers
How much does an Iboga retreat cost?
Iboga retreat pricing typically ranges from USD $550 to USD $3,000 per day, with most retreats lasting 5-9 days. Complete programs generally cost between USD $2,500 and USD $8,000 total, depending on location, program focus, and accommodations. European retreats in Spain and Portugal tend to fall in the mid-range, while ceremonies in Gabon (iboga's traditional homeland) can be more affordable at around EUR €2,300 for a 12-day initiation. Medical-focused addiction treatment programs in Mexico command premium prices, often USD $8,000-$12,000, especially for specialized protocols addressing dependencies like fentanyl.
Iboga Stories
The Best Iboga Retreat Guide
The Iboga Journey: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Seekers
Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) emerges from the forests of Central Africa, particularly Gabon, Cameroon, and the Congo Basin. This plant contains the powerful psychoactive compound ibogaine and has been central to the Bwiti spiritual tradition for centuries. The Bwiti use iboga as a sacrament for healing, spiritual connection, and cultural continuity, with ceremonies marking significant life transitions.
Understanding Iboga's Origins
Western interest in iboga began in the mid-20th century when French explorers encountered Bwiti ceremonies. By the 1960s, scientists had isolated ibogaine and recognized its potential for addressing substance dependency. Today, iboga exists in multiple contexts: traditional Bwiti ceremonies, ibogaine clinics focused on addiction treatment, and psycho-spiritual retreat centers offering transformational experiences. The most ethical practitioners acknowledge iboga's origins while finding ways to give back to the communities that have stewarded this knowledge.
The Iboga Experience
An iboga journey differs profoundly from other plant medicines. Many describe it not as a psychedelic "trip" but as a waking dream state or conversation with deeper consciousness. The experience typically unfolds over 24-36 hours, beginning with physical sensations including difficulty coordinating movements, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
As the journey deepens, many report vivid visual imagery with eyes closed. These aren't typically geometric patterns but rather narrative-like sequences that may include encounters with personal memories, symbolic representations of unresolved issues, or meetings with ancestors. Some describe accessing what feels like a vast library of personal information where questions bring immediate responses.
The experience carries a distinctively introspective quality, strengthening the witnessing capacity and allowing one to observe thoughts, patterns, and life events with unusual clarity and emotional neutrality. For those working with addiction, iboga operates biochemically by reducing withdrawal symptoms while psychologically allowing examination of underlying trauma without overwhelming emotion.
Practical Considerations
Engaging with iboga requires substantial commitment. Preparation might include dietary modifications, eliminating recreational substances, beginning supportive practices, and potentially psychotherapy to establish intentions. The financial investment varies considerably: traditional ceremonies in Gabon might cost $1000-2000, medical ibogaine treatments $5000-15000, and retreat centers typically charge $3000-7000 for programs lasting 7-14 days.
Preparation time ideally spans at least one month. The ceremonial experience typically lasts 1-3 nights, followed by a minimum of 3-7 days for rest and initial integration. The long-term integration process continues for months afterward as insights become progressively applicable to daily life.
Seekers essentially have three options: traditional Bwiti ceremonies, medical ibogaine treatments focused specifically on addiction, or hybrid approaches blending elements of traditional ceremony with modern therapeutic contexts. Self-administration carries significant risks due to iboga's potent effects on heart rhythm and potential for serious medical complications.
Safety and Ethics
Iboga interacts with numerous medications and medical conditions, potentially causing life-threatening complications. Absolute contraindications include heart conditions, liver or kidney disease, certain psychiatric medications, and recent use of substances like stimulants or opioids. A comprehensive medical screening including ECG should be considered non-negotiable.
Beyond physical safety, psychological readiness matters enormously. Iboga can surface deeply repressed trauma or challenge fundamental beliefs about identity. Honest self-assessment and consultation with mental health professionals should precede any decisions about participation.
Ethical considerations extend to questions of sustainability and reciprocity. Wild iboga faces overharvesting pressures due to increased global demand. Responsible providers source from sustainable cultivation projects and many support conservation efforts in iboga's native regions.
Finding Authentic Guides
In traditional contexts, legitimate Bwiti practitioners will have undergone extensive training with recognized elders. For Western approaches, indicators of integrity include transparency about practitioners' training, clear safety protocols, thorough medical screening, appropriate informed consent processes, and realistic descriptions of potential outcomes.
Red flags include guaranteed results, pressure to commit quickly, dismissal of medical concerns, cultural appropriation without acknowledgment, and isolation of participants from outside contact. Cultural humility proves essential when approaching iboga from outside its traditional context.
Integration and Expectations
The true value of an iboga experience emerges in how its insights manifest in daily life. While iboga often provides remarkably clear guidance about necessary life changes, translating this clarity into sustained action requires ongoing commitment. Common integration challenges include difficulty communicating insights to loved ones, negotiating between dramatic changes and practical responsibilities, and maintaining connection to the experience as its immediacy fades.
Realistic expectations recognize that integration unfolds in spirals rather than linear progression. Supportive practices include regular journaling, body-centered practices, time in nature, artistic expression, and community connections with others who understand transformational processes.
For those working specifically with addiction recovery, specialized aftercare proves crucial. While ibogaine can provide profound interruption of physical dependency and psychological patterns, sustainable recovery typically requires ongoing support through counseling, recovery communities, and addressing underlying trauma.
Living the Questions
Those who approach iboga with genuine respect often find it becomes a reference point for authenticity. Unlike some experiences that fade with time, iboga journeys frequently maintain remarkable clarity in memory, accessible years later with unusual detail.
The iboga experience often illuminates questions more valuable than immediate answers: How might you live if truly honoring your deepest values? What relationships nurture your authentic expression? Such questions continue unfolding over years, their exploration constituting a path rather than reaching a destination.
Beyond specific therapeutic outcomes, many discover a fundamental shift in how they relate to life itself—greater comfort with uncertainty, increased trust in natural unfolding, and recognition of interconnection beyond intellectual understanding. This medicine asks for commitment beyond casual exploration, selecting for those willing to engage deeply with their own becoming. Those considering this path might hold one question above all others: Does this approach resonate with your authentic seeking?
Questions about Iboga
What is the Iboga retreat?
Iboga retreats center around a potent entheogenic plant medicine from Central Africa, traditionally used by the Bwiti people of Gabon for spiritual initiation and healing ceremonies. These retreats typically span 3-7 days in remote settings where participants ingest ibogaine, the primary active compound from the Tabernanthe iboga root bark, under careful supervision. The experience differs markedly from other plant medicines—often lasting 24-36 hours with vivid waking visions rather than the dreamlike states of ayahuasca. At traditional retreats, guests might participate in preparatory rituals, receive guidance from experienced facilitators (ideally including traditional knowledge keepers), and engage in integration practices. Many seek iboga for addiction interruption, though this should always occur in medically supervised settings due to potential cardiac risks. The medicine works differently for each person—some describe intense life review experiences while others report confronting suppressed emotions or gaining clarity about their life path. Despite growing interest in iboga's therapeutic potential, these ceremonies require serious consideration due to medical contraindications and the profound, challenging nature of the journey.
Is ibogaine good for you?
At ibogaine retreats, participants typically undergo intense, sometimes 24-36 hour journeys that can trigger serious heart complications, including fatal cardiac events in those with underlying conditions. The healing potential some experience with addiction interruption, emotional processing, and neurological reset comes with a documented mortality risk that cannot be dismissed. Traditional healers in Gabon would carefully screen participants and prepare them physically and spiritually for months before ceremony – a stark contrast to some modern retreat models. The requirement for medical screening, licensed professionals, emergency equipment, and proper integration support remains non-negotiable for safety. Rather than asking if ibogaine is "good for you," perhaps consider whether this particular medicine aligns with your specific health status, personal needs, and whether safer alternatives might offer similar benefits without the substantial risks.
How long is the iboga ceremony?
Traditional iboga ceremonies typically last 24-36 hours, though the full experience spans several days. In Bwiti traditions of Central Africa, where iboga has been used sacredly for centuries, ceremonies often begin at sunset and continue through the following day and night. The active phase with intense visionary states usually lasts 12-24 hours, followed by an integration period where participants remain awake but in a more reflective state. This lengthy duration stems from iboga's slow-metabolizing alkaloids, particularly ibogaine, which creates one of the longest psychedelic experiences known. At modern retreats, guests typically undergo medical screening beforehand, participate in the ceremony itself, then receive 2-3 days of integration support afterward. Unlike ayahuasca or mushroom ceremonies that conclude within hours, iboga demands significant physical endurance and preparation—it's not simply a longer ceremony but a profoundly different undertaking requiring dedicated space and support.
How well does ibogaine work?
When used specifically for addiction interruption, research suggests many participants experience significant reduction in withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, particularly for opioid dependencies. However, results aren't uniform - some report profound, lasting freedom from addiction while others experience temporary relief followed by return to previous patterns. The medicine alone rarely "cures" anything permanently - rather, it may create an opening. Without proper preparation beforehand and committed integration work afterward, these openings typically close without lasting transformation.
What is the difference between iboga and ibogaine?
Iboga and ibogaine represent the whole and the part of a powerful plant medicine tradition. Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) is the entire plant - a shrub native to Central Africa's rainforests. The plant contains numerous alkaloids that work together synergistically. Ibogaine, on the other hand, is just one isolated compound extracted from iboga - the primary psychoactive alkaloid responsible for many of its effects. This distinction matters tremendously in practice. Traditional healers in Gabon would never separate the plant's components, believing the plant's spirit and healing properties exist in its wholeness. Western medical researchers have focused primarily on purified ibogaine for addiction treatment, particularly for opioid dependencies, sometimes missing the cultural context and supportive compounds.
Does ibogaine increase dopamine?
Yes, ibogaine does influence dopamine systems in the brain, but in a complex way. Unlike many substances that simply flood the brain with dopamine, ibogaine operates through a unique mechanism. Practitioners have long observed how this sacred plant medicine creates profound shifts in awareness without producing the addictive patterns seen with other substances. This points to ibogaine's distinctive relationship with dopamine. What happens during an ibogaine experience is that it initially blocks certain dopamine pathways while simultaneously resetting the brain's dopamine system. This reset effect explains why many retreat centers working with addiction recovery incorporate ibogaine - it helps interrupt dependent patterns without creating new ones. The medicine appears to reorganize dopamine function rather than simply increasing it, potentially helping restore natural balance to systems that have become dysregulated.
Is ibogaine poisonous?
Ibogaine is potentially poisonous. This powerful plant medicine derived from the Tabernanthe iboga shrub of Central Africa carries significant cardiac risks and has caused fatalities. In traditional Bwiti ceremonies of Gabon, skilled practitioners carefully prepare and administer ibogaine with protocols developed over generations. At contemporary medical clinics where ibogaine is legally used, patients undergo thorough medical screening including EKGs, liver panels, and medication checks. People with heart conditions, liver problems, or those taking certain medications should absolutely avoid ibogaine. The substance affects the electrical signaling of the heart and can trigger fatal arrhythmias even in seemingly healthy individuals. This reality doesn't diminish ibogaine's potential therapeutic benefits for addiction and psychological healing, but acknowledges that profound transformation often carries substantial risk.
What is the half life of iboga?
The primary active compound, ibogaine, has an initial half-life of 4-7 hours in the body. What makes iboga's effects so notable, however, is that metabolites like noribogaine can remain in the system for days to weeks, with half-lives extending 24-36 hours or longer. This extended presence contributes to iboga's reputation for profound, lasting effects. In traditional Bwiti ceremonies, participants often speak of a "three-day journey" which aligns with these pharmacological properties. At modern retreat centers, guests typically remain under supervision for 24-48 hours after ingestion precisely because of this extended activity period.
What does iboga taste like?
Iboga root bark has an intensely bitter taste that many describe as overwhelmingly unpleasant - perhaps one of the most bitter substances encountered in entheogenic traditions. In Bwiti ceremonies across Gabon and Cameroon, practitioners often acknowledge this bitterness as an intentional part of the medicine's teaching about life's challenges. The flavor contains earthy, wooden notes with a sharp, astringent quality that lingers persistently on the tongue, often triggering an immediate gag reflex in first-time participants. At traditional ceremonies, many communities have developed methods to manage this taste, including mixing the ground root bark with honey, wrapping it in fruit, or brewing teas with complementary herbs. The taste itself is considered medicine - a threshold guardian that tests one's commitment before the deeper work begins.
How long has ibogaine been used?
Ibogaine has been used for thousands of years in West-Central African traditions, particularly among the Bwiti people of Gabon and Cameroon who have incorporated the Tabernanthe iboga plant into their spiritual practices and healing ceremonies for countless generations. The Bwiti tradition itself dates back several centuries, though precise documentation is limited due to the oral nature of knowledge transmission in these cultures. In the Western world, ibogaine's use is much more recent - only since the 1960s when its potential for addiction interruption was first noticed. Howard Lotsof, a heroin addict who discovered ibogaine's effects on his own addiction in 1962, brought attention to its therapeutic possibilities.
Is ibogaine natural?
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound found primarily in the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub, native to the rainforests of Central Africa. The pure compound ibogaine was first isolated from iboga plants in 1901. While there are now synthetic and semi-synthetic versions available, traditional practitioners typically work with the whole plant material rather than isolated compounds. Many retreat centers offer experiences with either the whole root bark, a root bark extract, or the purified ibogaine hydrochloride - each carrying different intensities, durations, and risk profiles.
What is the difference between ibogaine and ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca, a brew combining the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with DMT-containing plants, emerged from Amazonian traditions and typically creates a 4-8 hour visionary journey characterized by waves of insight, emotional processing, and often purging. Many describe ayahuasca experiences as heart-opening, relational, and flowing - like being guided by a wise grandmother through important emotional landscapes. Ibogaine, derived from the root bark of the African Tabernanthe iboga plant, offers a dramatically different experience - a prolonged 24-36 hour journey that often begins with intense visionary states followed by a lengthy period of deep reflection. Traditional Bwiti practitioners in Gabon have worked with iboga for centuries as a rite of passage. The medicines differ not just in duration and intensity, but in their cultural contexts, physical effects, and therapeutic applications. Ayahuasca ceremonies typically happen in groups with singing and community support, while ibogaine sessions require careful medical screening due to potential cardiac risks and often occur in more clinical settings.
What is the active ingredient in iboga?
The primary active ingredient in iboga is ibogaine, a powerful psychoactive alkaloid concentrated in the root bark of the Tabernanthe iboga shrub native to Central West Africa, particularly Gabon and Cameroon. While ibogaine receives the most attention for its intense effects on consciousness and potential therapeutic applications, the plant contains numerous other alkaloids including tabernanthine, ibogamine, coronaridine, and voacangine. These compounds work synergistically in what traditional healers describe as the plant's inherent wisdom or intelligence. Each alkaloid contributes uniquely to iboga's overall effect profile, which differs significantly from isolated ibogaine experiences. This understanding highlights why many traditional healers emphasize the importance of working with the whole plant rather than extracted compounds.
Does ibogaine work on methadone?
Methadone has a long half-life in the body (24-36 hours) and can remain in your system for days or even weeks after your last dose. This creates a troubling combination with ibogaine that has resulted in fatalities due to cardiac complications. Most experienced practitioners require people to switch from methadone to shorter-acting opioids like morphine for at least 2-4 weeks before considering ibogaine treatment. The medical screening process for anyone on methadone seeking ibogaine should be exceptionally thorough, with detailed heart monitoring and liver function tests.
What does ibogaine do to the brain?
This powerful plant medicine primarily works by binding to numerous receptor systems simultaneously - including serotonin, dopamine, and NMDA receptors. This complex binding pattern temporarily disrupts normal neural pathways while promoting neuroplasticity - your brain's ability to reorganize itself. Many people report that ibogaine seems to act as a "reset button" for the brain, particularly for those struggling with addiction. Throughout traditional ceremonies participants commonly experience vivid memories and insights while neural pathways reorganize. Ibogaine appears to uniquely silence the part of the brain responsible for withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. What makes this medicine particularly remarkable is how it doesn't simply mask symptoms but seems to create potential space for deep reordering of thought patterns and beliefs.
Does ibogaine really work?
Ibogaine shows promise for interrupting addiction patterns, particularly with opioids, but results vary significantly from person to person. Some people experience profound shifts in their relationship with substances, while others find less dramatic but still meaningful changes. What's often overlooked is that ibogaine itself doesn't "cure" addiction - it creates a window of neurological plasticity and psychological clarity that, when coupled with proper integration support, lifestyle changes, and continued therapy, can lead to lasting transformation. The experience carries serious medical risks requiring specialized screening and medical supervision.
Is ibogaine a psychedelic?
Ibogaine is classified as a psychedelic substance, though it stands apart from better-known psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD in important ways. This powerful plant medicine creates a unique three-phase journey: an initial visionary phase with dream-like scenes, an introspective middle period where life experiences are reviewed, and finally a contemplative integration phase.
Are psychedelics addictive?
Classic psychedelics (like psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, ayahuasca, and mescaline) do not create physical dependence or addiction in the way substances like alcohol, opioids, or nicotine do. Most retreat participants find these medicines self-limiting—the profound, sometimes challenging experiences they produce naturally discourage frequent use. In traditional cultures where these plants have been used for centuries, they're typically approached with reverence and used ceremonially, not recreationally. That said, psychological attachment can form with any substance or experience that alters consciousness. At retreats, guests sometimes arrive with misconceptions about psychedelics being an easy "shortcut" to healing, only to discover these medicines often reveal what needs attention rather than instantly fixing it. The medicine itself rarely becomes problematic; the relationship with it might. What's most important isn't necessarily whether a substance can create dependency, but one's intention and the context of use. Many find these experiences so complete that they need significant integration time before feeling called to return.
What is the success rate of ibogaine treatment?
The success rate of ibogaine treatment varies significantly based on several factors. For opiate addiction, some treatment centers report 20-50% long-term abstinence rates, while others claim 70-80% success for clients who complete comprehensive aftercare programs. Traditional Bwiti practitioners in Gabon and Cameroon, who have used ibogaine ceremonially for generations, often describe effectiveness differently - focusing less on abstinence statistics and more on spiritual rebirth and reconnection. What's crucial to understand is that ibogaine is not a magic bullet. Its potential benefits appear most powerful when combined with proper medical screening (due to cardiovascular risks), psychological preparation, integration support, and lifestyle changes afterward. Many who experience ibogaine report profound insights regardless of whether they maintain complete abstinence, suggesting "success" might be measured in ways beyond simple statistics.
Can ibogaine help with depression?
Ibogaine has shown promising potential for depression in preliminary research and traditional contexts. The Bwiti tradition of Central Africa has used iboga in healing ceremonies for centuries, viewing depression not as a chemical imbalance but as a spiritual disconnection requiring realignment. Many people report profound shifts in their relationship with depression following properly supervised ibogaine sessions. These experiences often include reviewing life events, confronting emotional wounds, and gaining fresh perspective that can reframe depressive thought patterns. However, ibogaine carries serious risks - it affects heart rhythm and can be fatal for those with cardiovascular conditions. This isn't a quick fix but potentially transformative work requiring proper medical screening, experienced supervision, integration support, and typically costs between $5,000-$10,000 at reputable centers.