Shalom and Welcome!
My name is Jacob, 44 years young, and I appreciate your visit to my website. I will take this opportunity to extend my warmest wishes for your health and well-being, as well as for those you hold dear. This site serves as a comprehensive resource for Jews of all colors looking for up-to-date information about Iboga and Ibogaine as well as information about my services. If there is interest, I will post information about other psychedelic compounds that are dear to me.
I suffer from Complex Post Trauma, addiction and mental health issues. I am blessed to have found real help for my issues through therapy, body work and psychedelics. After experimenting. with many medicines and after many journeys I felt a strong calling to Ibogaine. I was mostly interested in addiction interruption and a a nervous system reset. In 2025 I did two Ibogaine journeys six months apart and can personally attest to the profound, life-changing power of this sacred medicine - indeed it gave me what I was looking for and now I am dedicated to helping others experience the transformative power by way of treatment with this sacred medicine. For more info about my journeys read My Blog at the bottom of this page.
Today, Ibogaine is gaining widespread attention for its remarkable healing capabilities - particularly for individuals struggling with addiction, PTSD, and various mental health issues. Ibogaine treatment offers significant physiological and psychological healing, making it a vital option for those in need.
What is Ibogaine?
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance extracted from the root bark of the Iboga plant, which is native to the rainforests of Central West Africa. For centuries, it has been integral to sacred healing ceremonies within the Bwiti tradition of Gabon and Cameroon. Today, both the root bark of the Iboga plant and the extracted alkaloid Ibogaine are utilized in sacred healing practices and in clinics, often under strict cultural and medical supervision for addiction treatment and psychological healing, contributing to mental health recovery.
Who Should Seek Ibogaine Treatment?
Ibogaine is not a magic cure. Individuals who will benefit most from this powerful tool are those who:
- Understand that it serves as a means for change rather than an instant fix.
- Are deeply committed to long-term integration work and lifestyle changes.
- Approach the experience with preparation, humility, and a genuine desire to heal their mental health challenges.
Substance & Behavioral Addictions:
- Opioids: Heroin, fentanyl, methadone, prescription painkillers (OxyContin, Vicodin, Tramadol)
- Stimulants & Depressants: Cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, alcohol
- Sex, pornography, gambling, gaming, technology, eating disorders
Psychological & Mental Illness:
- Trauma & Mood Disorders: PTSD/C-PTSD, depression, anxiety
- Existential & Emotional Growth: Burnout, chronic stress
- Conditions: OCD, Bipolar disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
⚠️ Warning: Anyone diagnosed with mental illness must consult a psychiatrist before considering Ibogaine treatment. Schizophrenia is currently considered a strict contraindication and requires extreme caution
Brain Injuries & Neurological damage:
- Conditions: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), post-concussion syndrome, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), stroke recovery, Parkinson’s disease
Autoimmune & Chronic Inflammation:
- Conditions: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Crohn’s/Colitis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Who is NOT a good candidate for Ibogaine treatment?
Those with heart conditions or liver disease, pregnant women, and individuals with certain psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., schizophrenia) may not be suitable for addiction treatment involving iboga or Ibogaine. Additionally, those unwilling to commit to aftercare and integration may find it challenging to achieve lasting psychological healing and improve their mental health.
How to prepare for Ibogaine
I strongly advocate for a progressive approach to psychedelic healing, viewing moderate experiences as an essential preparation for the intensity of Ibogaine. Diving straight into Iboga without prior experience risks traumatizing an untrained mind and body. Instead, gentler journeys can introduce healing, foster constructive habits, and set the stage for deeper work. Based on individual needs, a structured, step-by-step regimen is far safer and more effective.
That being said, there is room to consider Ibogaine even without any previous experience with psychedelics, mainly in extreme circumstances related to drug or alcohol addiction.
Areas that should be focused on for healthy lifestyle and definitely pre-ibogaine:
Conscious Community & Connection
Deep Relationship Investment
Mutual Support & Active Integration
Nourishment, Sleep, & Digital Diet:
Whole-Food Nutrition
Plastics Elimination
Proper Hydration
Nighttime Sleep
Screen-Time Limits
Somatic & Physical Alignment:
Bodywork: Cardio, Weights, Yoga, Gym, Pilates
Breathwork
Somatic Therapy
Mindfulness & Spiritual Reflection:
Meditation and Prayer
Esoteric Study
Emotional Accountability & Self Discovery
Talk Therapy
Any Modality that is Helpful
Healthy Soothing & Conscious Intimacy
Nurturing Physical Touch & Therapies (Reiki/Massage)
Tantric Practice & Semen Retention (Taoism/Mantak)
The more you can progress in the above categories the better.
Even a little progress can go a long way.
It’s called a journey not a destination.
What to Expect Before an Ibogaine Journey
Preparing for an ibogaine experience is vastly different from preparing for other psychedelics. Because ibogaine interacts heavily with the body's physical systems - especially the cardiovascular system and liver enzymes, preparation is not just about mindset; it's a requirement for physical safety.
The saying in ibogaine circles, "the cleaner you go in, the less it will punish you," is deeply accurate. A thoroughly detoxified body and a quiet mind allow the medicine to focus on deep psychological and spiritual healing rather than managing intense physical distress or dangerous drug interactions. I personally took a break from all medicines including cannabis for six months before my first journey. Before my second journey was a different story (of course I had good reason) and I paid the price - ouch!.
1. Pharmaceutical and Substance Tapering
This is the most critical and potentially dangerous step of ibogaine preparation. Ibogaine alters heart rhythms (specifically prolonging the QT interval) and stays in the liver for weeks, meaning mixing it with certain substances can be fatal. Before any Iboga ritual or Ibogaine journey, any responsible practitioner will ask for a recent ECG as well as a liver panel.
- Getting off Medications: You must safely taper off antidepressants (especially SSRIs), antipsychotics, and any heart medications under strict medical supervision. SSRIs mixed with ibogaine can cause life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
- Getting off Drugs/Alcohol: Active addiction requires highly specific preparation timelines:
- Short-acting opioids (heroin, oxycodone) usually require switching or stabilizing before treatment.
- Long-acting opioids (methadone, suboxone) must be completely out of the system—often requiring a switch to short-acting options for several weeks beforehand because ibogaine cannot safely clear them.
- Alcohol and Benzodiazepines: You cannot go through acute alcohol or benzo withdrawal during an ibogaine journey, as the combined seizure risk is incredibly dangerous. Detox from these must happen before the journey.
- Abstinence if Possible: For non-addiction or spiritual seekers, total abstinence from all recreational drugs, cannabis, plant medicines, and alcohol for at least 2 to 4 weeks prior is highly recommended to let your neurotransmitters stabilize.
2. Dietary Preparation and Restrictions
Your liver uses a specific enzyme pathway (CYP2D6) to process ibogaine into its active, long-lasting form, noribogaine. Your diet directly impacts these liver enzymes and your heart's electrolyte balance.
Raw/Clean Diet:
Transitioning to a raw, whole-foods, and highly clean diet 1 to 2 weeks prior lightens the load on your digestive system and liver. Focus on organic vegetables, clean proteins, and healthy fats. This ensures your body is flooded with the vitamins and minerals needed to sustain a grueling 24-to-48-hour physical experience.
Dietary Exclusions:
Certain foods contain compounds that interfere with liver processing or alter heart function. You must strictly avoid (there may be others according to certain programs that are not listed here):
- Grapefruit and Seville Oranges: These permanently block the CYP2D6 liver enzymes for up to 72 hours, which can cause ibogaine to build up to toxic, lethal levels in your blood.
- Excessive Caffeine & Stimulants: Avoid energy drinks, coffee, and fat-burners for at least a week prior to keep your baseline heart rate and blood pressure calm. Make sure to leave plenty of time to taper off of caffeine and coffee.
- Aged Cheeses / Tyramine-rich foods: Fermented, cured, or aged foods can cause sudden spikes in blood pressure when processing strong alkaloids.
- Quinine (Tonic Water): Quinine affects heart rhythms similarly to ibogaine and the combination is dangerous.
3. The Digital and Media "Diet"
An ibogaine journey acts as a massive reset button for the brain's dopamine pathways. Flooding your brain with high-stimulus digital media right up until the experience defeats the purpose of psychological prep.
- Phone and Social Media Fasting: Disconnect from social media, work emails, and toxic online environments at least 3 to 5 days before your session.
- Curate Your Inputs: Replace mindless scrolling with journaling, reading, nature walks, or listening to calming, ambient music. This is a good opportunity to work on your questions and intentions for the upcoming journey. Specifically for Ibogaine Journeys it is important to write down your intentions and meditate on them for the days leading up.
- Mental Decompression: The goal is to lower your baseline cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline. If your mind is buzzing with the latest internet drama or work stress, the early hours of the ibogaine journey will be spent clearing that superficial "noise" rather than reaching deep, core insights.
A Final Note on Safety: Never attempt an ibogaine journey alone or without an EKG (heart check) and comprehensive blood and urine panel. Because of the profound stress it places on the heart, professional medical screening and real-time monitoring are non-negotiable.
Where to Journey
If you are looking into Ibogaine treatment, there are five paths to choose from. Having looked into these myself, here is my honest take on each:
High-Volume Clinics:
These are clinics that administer Ibogaine scattered around the globe. While they each have their pros and cons, the biggest drawback for me was the group dynamic. Because they treat many patients at once, and there is a constant flow, you are surrounded by a lot of collective trauma and physical illness. It just wasn’t the environment I wanted, so I ruled it out. The positive side is that they have a lot of experience treating people and in general they have in-house medical staff. If you have the means, there is a beautiful and highly reputable clinic in Europe that you can rent out entirely for yourself.
Private Facilitators:
Under-the-radar facilitators are becoming much more common, but you need to do serious homework before hiring one. I’ve heard some firsthand horror stories about unsafe and unethical behavior. I actually chose this route myself, but only because I found a facilitator with years of experience who had personally journeyed with Ibogaine over ten times.
One-on-One Medical Supervision:
This is a premium, expensive route, but the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. I met with a doctor who facilitates these private sessions in Europe, and the firsthand accounts I've heard are excellent. If you have underlying health concerns and/or are anxious about the physical toll of the medicine, this is your safest bet.
Jungle Experience
An experience for sure, however, I do not consider this option to be safe for practical for most people. The main issues being; eating raw Iboga root (this is extremely unpleasant and causes extreme discomfort), staying in questionable accommodations, dealing with a culture that is not familiar, and that does not have safe medical practices. The plus side is that you will get to participate in an authentic ceremony.
Self-Administration:
Please do not do this. I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to take Ibogaine alone. It is an incredibly strong medicine that requires strict, expert supervision to ensure your physical and psychological safety.
My Services
My mission is to help individuals safely navigate the complex and elusive world of Iboga and Ibogaine treatment. I feel like this is a divine duty having been through the experience and experiencing the benefits.
Guided by research, my own personal journey and my background studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, I walk beside you every step (or partially if you choose) of the journey — offering preparation guidance, compassionate companionship during your experience, and integration coaching afterward.
Also, as an Orthodox Jew, I can support clients seeking a fully kosher compliant experience.
Over the years of battling addiction and through the process of healing, I have built a trusted network of multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure you have access to any additional care that you may want or need.
I operate as a supportive guide and coordinator; I do not sell, facilitate, or distribute Iboga, Ibogaine or any other psychedelic compounds.
Get in Touch with Me
Don't be shy - a twenty minute consultation is free.
Do you have a general question about Iboga or Ibogaine?
Do you need assistance with the process before, during or after an Ibogaine treatment?
Do you have any other questions or comments?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you and wishing you well in your journey!
Don't forget to check out my personal blog below.
Email me @ jacob@ibogajew.com
Safety & Legal Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. I am not a medical professional, and nothing on this site constitutes medical advice regarding addiction treatment or psychological healing.
Ibogaine, which is derived from iboga, is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States and is illegal in several other countries. Laws regarding its use vary by region, making it essential for you to understand the legal status in your country, state, or territory.
In Israel, ibogaine is classified as a dangerous drug under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and its use is illegal without specific authorization from the Ministry of Health.
It is important to note that ibogaine carries serious health risks and has been associated with fatalities, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart conditions. For anyone considering ibogaine as part of addiction treatment, never use it without proper medical supervision.
I do not promote, encourage, or facilitate illegal activity related to iboga or ibogaine. Furthermore, I do not endorse any specific treatment center, provider, or practitioner for mental health services.
Always consult a qualified medical professional before making any health decisions.