Microdosing Iboga: Your Complete Guide 2024

Transformation Amber Capone had become afraid of her husband. The “laid-back, bigger than life and cooler than cool” man she’d married had become isolated, disconnected and despondent during his 13 years as a U.S. Navy SEAL. Typically, he was gone 300 days of the year, but when he was home, Amber and their two children walked on eggshells around him. “Everyone was just playing nice until he left again,” Amber says.

In 2013, Marcus retired from the military. But life as a civilian only made his depression, anger, headaches, anxiety, alcoholism, impulsivity and violent dreams worse. Sometimes he’d get upset by noon and binge-drink for 12 hours. Amber watched in horror as his cognitive functioning declined; Marcus was in his late 30s, but he would get lost driving his daughter to volleyball, and sometimes he couldn’t even recognize his friends. Psychologists had diagnosed him with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, but antidepressants, Ambien and Adderall didn’t help. He visited a handful of brain clinics across the country, which diagnosed him with postconcussive syndrome after a childhood of football—then a career punctuated by grenades, explosives, rifles and shoulder-fired rockets. But all they offered were more pills, none of which helped either. One of Marcus’ retired Navy SEAL friends, who had similarly struggled, had traveled internationally to take ibogaine, a psychedelic drug illegal in the U.S.

The ibogaine experience had been transformative for him, and he thought it might be the same for Marcus. “I thought it was crazy,” Marcus says. “How can you take another pill to solve all your problems?” But Amber begged him to try it, and Marcus gave in.

On Veterans Day in 2017, Marcus checked into a treatment center in Mexico, popped an ibogaine pill, slipped on eyeshades and noise-canceling headphones, and went on his first-ever psychedelic trip. After an hour or so, he entered a waking dream state and watched a movie of his life play out before his eyes. Life events flipped through his mind’s eye in rapid fire. Other times, painful memories slowed to a crawl.

Marcus saw himself having conversations with his dead father, with buddies he’d lost to the wars over the years, with God. “You can’t hide from the medicine,” he says. “It’s just going to go down there and basically pull up any traumas, anything hiding in your subconscious that may be affecting you that you don’t even realize.” When it was over, Marcus felt as if he’d finally put down a heavy load he’d been carrying for years. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t want a drink, and he didn’t touch alcohol for a year after. “I was thinking clear. I wasn’t impulsive anymore. I had no anxiety. I wasn’t depressed,” he says.

Amber couldn’t believe it, but when she picked him up, she knew she had her husband back. “When he walked into the room, it was as though I was witnessing him the first time I met him,” she says.

“His anger and his darkness and his whole demeanor had changed. All of that was gone. He was easy. He was light. He was present. He was happy. It just absolutely blew my mind.” The Science behind Iboga's Miraculous Healing potential

Ibogaine is one of the most promising psychedelics for addiction. The drug hails from a shrub called Tabernanthe iboga and Voacanga Africana, which is native to Central Africa. Since at least the 1800s, members of the Bwiti religion in Gabon have eaten iboga bark shavings during initiations and coming- of-age ceremonies; those who consume it report visions of and contact with their ancestors and even God.

Iboga's psychoactive compound, ibogaine, has been the subject of extensive research. Studies suggest that ibogaine may have profound effects on the brain's neurotransmitter systems, particularly those involved in addiction and mood regulation: 1. Neurochemical Effects:

• Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibition: Ibogaine is thought to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters involved in mood, reward, and cravings. This can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

• NMDA Receptor Antagonism: Ibogaine may also act as an antagonist of the NMDA receptor, a type of glutamate receptor important in learning and memory. This could potentially disrupt the neural pathways associated with addiction.
  

2. Neuroplasticity:

• Synaptic Reorganization: Ibogaine may promote synaptic reorganization, which could help to rewire the brain's reward system and reduce the salience of addictive substances.

• Cellular Regeneration: Some studies suggest that ibogaine might stimulate the growth of new neurons in the brain, a process known as neurogenesis. This could potentially contribute to recovery from addiction.
  

3. Psychological Effects:

• Mindset Shift: Ibogaine-induced experiences can be profound and transformative. This can lead to a shift in perspective, reduced shame, and increased motivation to change.

• Spiritual Insights: For some individuals, ibogaine use can lead to spiritual insights or a sense of connection to something larger than themselves. This can provide a powerful impetus for recovery.

Iboga comes from the root bark of the Tabernanthe Iboga tree.

Iboga/Voacanga History with Breaking Addiction

In France, ibogaine was sold and prescribed as an antidepressant and stimulant called Lambarene for more than 30 years until the 1960s, when the government outlawed the sale of ibogaine. But its antiaddictive effects weren’t well known in the U.S. until 1962, when Howard Lotsof—then a 19-year-old completely outside the medical establishment—experimented with it and noticed it wiped out his heroin addiction. It did the same for several of Lotsof’s peers when he organized 20 lay drug experimenters, all in their late teens and early 20s, to try many hallucinogens including ibogaine. Seven people in the group were hooked on heroin at the time. After they took ibogaine, all seven said they were no longer in heroin withdrawal, and five of them lost their desire to use heroin for six months or longer. Microdosing vs Flood Dose

Traditionally administered in a large "flood dose" under supervision of a shaman or guide, people are now turning to microdosing Voacanga and Iboga as a means of experiencing its effects in smaller, sub-perceptual doses.

After consuming a flood dose of iboga, people slip into a trance-like state where they experience lucid visions. This approach allows individuals to harness the potential benefits without the intense hallucinogenic experiences typically associated with higher doses. Many people are choosing this route as they find it easier to integrate within their day-to-day lives.

Furthermore, microdosing ibogaine is often seen as a more accessible and manageable way to explore its therapeutic potential compared to full-dose treatments which require medical supervision and can involve more intense experiences.

Benefits of Microdosing Iboga/Voacanga

Microdosing iboga/Voacanga can offer a range of benefits to individuals seeking alternative forms of therapy and personal growth.

Relieving Depression

Microdosing iboga and Voacanga has shown promise in alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is believed that the plant's active compounds interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, promoting a sense of calmness and well-being. This natural approach to mental health management offers an alternative for those seeking relief without relying solely on traditional pharmaceutical interventions. Ibogaine and Depression Studies: Reduced Depressive Symptoms Reduced Suicidal Ideation in Veterans

Breaking Addiction

In the realm of addiction treatment, Iboga and Voacanga has emerged as a powerful and promising option. Iboga/Voacanga's unique properties have shown promise in interrupting addictive patterns and providing individuals with profound insights into their behaviors and underlying issues. Its holistic nature addresses both physical cravings and underlying psychological factors contributing to substance abuse. Addiction and Ibogaine Studies: Single Dose of Ibogaine Reduces Opioid Withdrawls, Review of Mutiple Studies

Enhanced Cognitive Function

One key benefit of microdosing iboga/Voacanga is its potential to enhance cognitive function.

Many users report improved focus, clarity, and concentration when incorporating microdoses into their routine. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals looking to boost productivity or overcome creative blocks.

Personal Growth and Insight

Microdosing iboga/Voacanaga may have profound effects on personal growth and self-discovery. Users often report increased introspection and a heightened sense of self-awareness when incorporating microdoses into their routine. This can lead to breakthroughs in understanding one's emotions, behaviors, and patterns, ultimately facilitating personal development and transformation. Recommended Protocol

Microdosing involves consuming small, sub-perceptual doses of a psychoactive substance over an extended period, typically at a frequency of every few days.

This practice aims to harness the potential benefits of a substance while avoiding the intensity of a full-scale trip. 

We recommend following the Fadiman protocol, dosing once every third day for 1-2months. Taking 1-2 weeks off in-between cycles. Dosages can start from 10 drops under the tongue or in water. Effects can be felt within 30 minutes. Patience and consistency is key, taking 1-2 weeks for the full benefits to be experienced.

Journaling is also highly recommended to help increase awareness around the subtle changes your microdosing routine is having on your consciousness.

Explore Boga Mind Here