The Bwiti people explain that when they use the plant, it allows them to return to infancy, to experience re-birth and life in the womb. They say that the ceremony helps them to return to what they call Mang Ayat, the land of the dead beyond the sea. They believe that this place is where the Spirits reside before birth and where they return after death.
The iboga bark's visionary power is produced by a complicated cocktail of alkaloids that seems to affect many of the known neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Its complex molecular key may lock into the addiction receptors in a way that resets patterns and blocks the feedback loops that reinforce dependency.
The legal status on iboga differs from country to country. In Gabon iboga is considered as a sacred plant and a national treasure, in the United States of America it forbidden. In the most of the European country’s iboga is not scheduled. This means that it is not illegal to have but it is neither recognized as a medicine. Iboga is not controlled; anyone can call themselves a treatment provider, therefore be careful seeking for a provider, and make sure you’ll find the right person. Ibogaine may be illegal to possess & sell in Australia, but it does not appear to be listed in the controlled substances lists. Ibogaine is clearly illegal to import into Australia without a license. Ibogaine does not appear to be controlled in most countries in Mid and South American country’s. There are several treatment centers located in the Caribbean and Mexico. In Brazil it is illegal. Ibogaine does not appear to be controlled in Asia.
Even where Ibogaine is not illegal it is unlikely that it is available to be administered in a clinic or hospital for the simple reason that these institutions can use only registered medications, which iboga is not. The difference between Ibogaine and Iboga root bark is that the root bark alkaloids, contain and include the Ibogaine Tabernanthe from the iboga root. Ibogaine however merely contains scientifically recognized alkaloid with the known actions.
Ibogain has ability to treat both drug and alcohol addiction. Ibogaine has the ability to remove the symptoms of drug withdrawal and reduce drug-craving for a period of time after administration. The drug’s psychoactive have been credited with helping drug users understand and reverse their drug-using behaviour.
Ibogaine also accesses REM sleep in a powerful way - many people need considerably less sleep for several months after taking Ibogaine.
The psychoactive properties of Ibogaine induce a spiritual experience. The patient experiences profound insight, giving them clarity into their lives, which motivates them to change on a psychological level.
The plant has been patented for the purpose of treating drug addiction under the trade name End-Abuse. It is used to treat addiction to heroine, cocaine, methadone and nicotine. Patients who have undergone treatment have said that they forget the sins of their lives and are restored to their own integrity. They claim that they experience their whole lives before them, as if watching a television screen. They are able to confront their entire life, facing situations and conditions which they have not been able to confront, situations that have caused them psychological problems throughout their lives. It is like having instant release in psycho-therapy simply by taking one dose of ibogaine.