Difficulties often experienced during an iboga experience
I want to write a more in-depth article in time; with information backed up by a recent patient’s own personal experience on the difficulties one has to prepare for; face and expect during an iboga experience; which is common to most treatments.
The first is sleeplessness. This can be especially difficult for people that are used to associating sleeplessness with opiate withdrawal. You will experience this regardless of the reason for treatment and the symptoms are manageable; but you still have to work through it. You certainly will not sleep the first night. On the second night some people do get some sleep but because of the high level of brain activity often the patients feel they have not slept at all when in fact the patient does get some REM sleep.
The second day is generally the most difficult for patients; and again: Association to with opiate withdrawal can be common. There is a general feeling of discomfort and restlessness; also normal but you need to be mentally prepared and able to work through it. These symptoms are relatively easy to manage and it is possible to relieve some of the discomfort...again preparation.
By the third day the patient is on the road to recovery and the side effects will diminish quickly over the next few days; although the patient will still be processing material for up to a week later. It will take a while to get back into a routine.
These are some of the reasons its best to not do this solo; even with prior warning there needs (or helps) to have some one to assure the patient that what they are experiencing is “normal” although it is possible to self treat.
The iboga experience is not an easy one and it’s not for everyone; it certainly is not “just another trip” (although there are certain similarities with DMT; psilocybin etc) The iboga experience is like being put through a wringer after going through the “spin cycle” on a washing machine. The patient I want to write a more in-depth article with described the experience as: “having all the toxins and trauma squeezed out of him; like you would wring a cloth to get water out of it.” He said he could smell the toxins coming out of him and did not believe (or was not convinced; having been through a conventional opiate detox) that by the third day things would improve; so encouragement and a support system help a great deal and are extremely beneficial.
So I will get more personal information from the patient in time on the difficulties of the experience to help others prepare for it. But this is where the provider and the provider’s responsibility come in to the process as well as the patients.
Ask questions; not every ibogaine practitioner or provider keeps the same standards of practice and screening for patient safety. There is no guarantee what the service is going to be like. We make assumptions about doctors because we are taught to respect the uniform and position in society; but you don’t know whether the doctor just managed to pass medical school; what their “bed-side manner” is like; or what they are like as people. Spend some time getting to know your provider; you have the right to all of this. The provider and level of service all contribute to the success of the treatment.
So; don’t make assumptions; not all treatments will be the same nor will providers offer the same standard of practice; a lot also depends on the “human aspect” the level of care and connection you have or don’t have with the provider. What may work for some may not for others; some would prefer a more clinical setting where others a more traditional or natural environment. Find some one who suits your requirements or expectations as a patient.
Remember; compared to a conventional detox iboga treatment is “a walk in the park” but it is still quite an ordeal to go through; one just needs to have what it takes to see it all through; to be prepared and to have some one you can trust to see you through the process.
If anyone has questions or comments this is the place to voice them; keep safe and be informed.
Simon
Write a comment