Iboga has helped many people break free from addiction, easing withdrawal symptoms and offering a pathway toward healing. But like any powerful substance, iboga carries risks. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we believe in honesty, clarity, and putting safety first. Here are the facts about iboga safety—what the risks are, how we manage them, and how you can make sure you're making a well-informed decision.
Understanding the Risks
While iboga has many therapeutic benefits, several real dangers must be considered:
· Pre-existing medical issues: Many of the documented deaths related to iboga were in people who already had heart conditions, liver or kidney impairment, or were withdrawing from substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines. These underlying health issues can significantly increase risk.
· Drug interactions & ongoing withdrawal: Using iboga while other substances are still in your system, or during acute withdrawal from certain drugs, can create serious dangers—seizures, cardiac stress, or even fatal complications.
· Dose & purity issues: Overdosing or using impure substances increases risk. Because iboga is a natural plant with psychoactive alkaloids, the effects can vary, especially when not managed correctly. i
· Psychological factors: Iboga can produce intense psycho-spiritual experiences. If someone has certain psychiatric conditions or is not prepared psychologically, the experience can be overwhelming or destabilizing.
Necessary Safety Measures
At Iboga Tree Healing House, we follow rigorous protocols to reduce risk and ensure that healing is as safe as possible:
1. Thorough medical screening: Before treatment, we evaluate heart, liver, kidney health; run EKGs; check metabolic panels; and test for electrolytes, thyroid function, etc. Some of these checks are especially crucial for older clients.
2. Exclusion criteria: If someone has known cardiac disease, severe psychological disorder, or is currently withdrawing from certain substances without stabilization, they may be excluded. We don’t take unnecessary risks.
3. Clean system & detox first: We require that patients detox from other substances and have no active use of drugs of abuse. For example, alcohol withdrawal should be completed under medical supervision before iboga therapy begins.
4. Supervision during treatment: The treatment is conducted under medical supervision, with emergency plans in place. Dosing is done carefully, and the patient’s vital signs are monitored.
5. Post-treatment awareness: After iboga, tolerance to substances is lowered. If relapse occurs, there’s a higher risk of overdose. We make sure patients understand this and provide integration support and relapse prevention planning.
Why Many Find Iboga Therapy Safer Than Alternatives
Despite the risks, iboga—with proper care—is considered by many to have a safety profile that is better in some respects than long-term dependence on opioids or other substances. Most of the harms seen so far have involved pre-existing medical conditions or mixing substances. When those are carefully screened out, iboga therapy can be a powerful tool for transforming lives.
FAQs: Common Questions About Iboga Safety
Q: Can anyone take iboga safely?
A: No. It depends on your medical history (heart, liver, kidney, psychological state), age, whether you’re withdrawing from other substances, and whether you can go through detox first. We screen everyone to ensure safety.
Q: What happens if someone still has drugs in their system?
A: That’s risky. Iboga can interact dangerously with many substances, including opiates, alcohol, and sedatives. A clean system minimizes risk of overdose, interactions, or other complications.
Q: Are there real deaths associated with iboga?
A: Yes. Between 1990 and 2008, there were 19 documented deaths linked to iboga use. However, 14 of those cases had enough post-mortem data, and in 12 cases, there were identifiable pre-existing conditions or other substances present. Many of the risks could have been avoided through proper screening and supervised administration.
Q: Does having HIV automatically disqualify someone from treatment?
A: Not necessarily. There is limited research about iboga’s effects in people with HIV. Some treatment centres choose to include HIV-positive individuals with caution; others take a more conservative approach. Iboga Tree Healing House tends to err on the side of caution, but decisions are made case by case.
Q: What should a reputable iboga provider do to ensure safety?
A: Ask for full medical and psychiatric history, require detox from other substances, conduct detailed screenings (EKG, liver/kidney function, etc.), explain emergency procedures, monitor during treatment, and provide integration and relapse prevention support. If a provider isn’t doing these things, that’s a red flag.
In Conclusion
Iboga is a powerful, potentially transformative plant, but its benefits don’t come without serious risk. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we believe that healing requires responsible practices, deep respect for the substance, and rigorous safety protocols. If you are considering iboga therapy, make sure you have good medical oversight, honest assessments, and providers who emphasize care as much as promise.




.jpg)
.jpg)