Hey r/Drugs, let’s dive into something that’s seriously wild—Iboga. It’s one of those psychedelics that’s hard to explain, and honestly, you’re never really ready for it until you experience it. It’s like a mix between a spiritual journey, a mind-bending trip, and an emotional rollercoaster—kind of like hitting the reset button on your brain.

I first heard about Iboga through some whispers around the psychedelic community—stories about addicts kicking their habits or people going through 24-36 hours of mind-bending visions where their entire life just plays out in front of them. Naturally, I had to know more, so I did some digging. Here’s what I found out.

So, what the heck is Iboga?

Iboga comes from a plant native to Central Africa—mainly in countries like Gabon, Cameroon, and the Congo. It’s been used for centuries by the Bwiti tribe as a tool for spiritual healing and initiation. The root bark contains a powerful compound called ibogaine, which is what gives it its crazy effects.

Ibogaine essentially messes with your brain in a way that’s unlike most other psychedelics. It’s known to reboot your brain—not just your consciousness, but also how your brain processes dopamine. It’s been used in addiction treatment for its ability to reduce cravings and even make withdrawal symptoms disappear. But it’s not a casual trip by any means—it’s a full-on mental marathon.

So, is it a deliriant?

Not really. If you’ve ever messed around with deliriants like Datura, you know how insane they can get. Memory loss, delusions, and just straight-up losing your grip on reality. Iboga doesn’t do that. Instead, it’s more like you’re plugging into your mind’s control center—and it can get intense real fast.

Here’s the thing with Iboga:

• You’re not losing your mind. You’re hyper-aware the whole time, but everything that happens feels intensely real.

• It’s not a “fun” trip, like some other psychedelics. It’s like the most brutal therapy session you could imagine. But in the end, many people say it was life-changing.

• The visuals are next level. Think of it as your entire life flashing before your eyes—not in a “brief” flash, but in excruciatingly detailed detail. Every moment. Every emotion. It’s an emotional detox of sorts.

What does it feel like?

Iboga is not for the faint of heart. Here’s what you’re probably going to experience:

• Visions: Forget “pretty colors” or “floating through space.” Iboga’s visions are incredibly detailed and vivid—it’s like your mind is showing you a movie of your life, but you’re also a part of it. It's a mental deep-dive that can be both healing and haunting.

• Spirit guides? A lot of people report meeting ancestors, spiritual beings, or even themselves at different points in life. The kind of wisdom they dish out can be either life-affirming or brutally honest.

• Emotions: This is an emotional boot camp. It’s not just about seeing things; it’s about facing everything you’ve ever been running from—your regrets, fears, and deepest truths.

• Physical Effects: Let’s just say—it’s a lot of physical discomfort. People often report nausea, dizziness, sweating, and sometimes even heart palpitations. The first few hours can feel like your body is being hit with a ton of bricks. But in the end, it's a cathartic release.

Dosage – How much are you getting into?

Dosage is crucial with Iboga. This isn’t something you just take lightly. Here’s a rough idea of what different doses can do:

• Light dose (50-100mg): Good for a mild spiritual experience—think a few hours of gentle introspection.

• Medium dose (100-200mg): This is where things get interesting. Expect stronger visuals, some deep emotional work, and maybe even some life review.

• Full dose (200-500mg): This is where the magic (and the intensity) really kicks in. People often describe this as a 36-hour journey through their soul, including deep emotional work and major spiritual breakthroughs. Note: Don’t mess around with this stuff without a sitter or support. Iboga is intense and can be physically challenging. You need to be in a safe space and know what you’re doing.

Iboga and addiction – the reset button?

Iboga has gotten a lot of attention for its use in addiction treatment, especially for people struggling with opioid addiction. The beauty of ibogaine is its ability to reset the brain’s reward system—reducing cravings and easing withdrawal symptoms.

It’s been a game-changer for some, giving them the opportunity to face their addiction without the overwhelming physical pain. But, Iboga is not a quick fix. It’s only one part of the recovery process—and anyone thinking about using it for addiction should also have a solid plan for post-treatment care. Therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes are essential for maintaining sobriety after the experience.

The Bottom Line: Loved and Feared

People who’ve done Iboga often describe it as life-changing—a reset button for their soul, their mind, and sometimes even their addiction. But the journey isn’t pretty. It’s long, it’s rough, and it’s not always the magic pill you’re hoping for. But if you approach it with respect, and have the right mindset, Iboga could very well be one of the most transformative experiences of your life.

What about you?

If you’ve tried Iboga, I want to know. Was it what you expected? Was it terrifying, healing, or something in-between? Drop your experiences in the comments—let’s talk about it.

TL;DR:

Iboga is a powerful African psychedelic used for spiritual growth and addiction treatment. It’s not a deliriant, but it’s definitely a deep, intense experience that involves life reviews, spirit guides, and serious emotional processing. It’s not for the casual tripper—respect the plant and do your research.