iboga Archives - Iboga Tree - Ibogaine Treatment Centers Europe

21st January 2021 • Sticky Post

Rehab in France: Why French Addicts Are Seeking Addiction Treatment Abroad

France’s drug problem is bad, and it has been getting worse. There are epidemics of heroin use, a flood of cocaine from South America, and the constant importation of hashish from nearby Morocco. In 2019, President Emmanuel Macron admitted that the country was losing the fight against drugs in neighborhoods such as Marseille’s notorious 14th District and Paris’ “banlieues.” As the opioid crisis rages on, increasing numbers of French people have been experimenting with and becoming addicted to, the same opioid-based pain pills that have devastated communities across the United States. People in France are dying almost every day from opioid overdoses, and the problem seems likely to grow worse in the new decade.

The banlieues, social housing projects in the suburbs of major cities, are a huge cause of concern. They’re plagued by violence, rampant drug use, and radical Islam, but France’s drug problem goes far deeper than the slums of Paris and Marseille. In fact, the country has some of the highest rates of drug use in the E.U., together with some of the strictest laws concerning drug use. France has continually resisted calls to modernize its drug policies, even while acknowledging the shortcomings of the status quo. If you’re investigating rehab in France looking for solutions and a sense of hope, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.

Why Portugal?

Addiction treatment in France: why french addicts are looking abroad

Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction (much like France in the 1980s) when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as Canada Switzerland and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.

France has embraced some of the principles of harm-reduction, particularly by implementing needle exchanges and a pilot project for supervised injection sites. But the country still relies on opioid replacement therapy, usually involving buprenorphine, as a way to treat opioid addiction. While buprenorphine can stabilize the lifestyles of addicts and prevent HIV and overdoses, it leaves those seeking treatment dependent on a narcotic substance and does little to address the issues underlying addiction. If you’re looking to truly defeat your addiction, buprenorphine probably isn’t the best option.

There are some publicly funded options for rehab in France, and there are also privately run residential treatment facilities in nearby Switzerland. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for those without substantial bank accounts, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates in the region can be as high as 77,000 USD per week! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded rehab in France, you need to be prepared for wait times spanning weeks, or even months, before being placed in an overcrowded and under-funded treatment facility. The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.

In theory, seeking rehab in France will not put you at risk of stigma for being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly. But if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate care, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in many French communities, particularly rural areas, and studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many small towns, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!

What Are The Benefits Of Treatment Abroad?

1) Environment

Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment, and Portugal is a great place to recover from the traumas related to addiction. It’s a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking and cycling. Many French visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare, all while feeling at home with a climate, culture, and society that is familiar enough to feel welcoming. All this, while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of rehab in France. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!

2) Privacy

While increasing numbers of people are coming to the understanding that addiction is a medical issue, there is still a significant social and professional stigma that comes with seeking treatment for substance abuse. If you head to Portugal, it’s easy to tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re off on a much-needed vacation and avoid awkward conversations and prying questions. There’s also no risk that someone will spot you emerging from a clinic or support group meeting and start whispering.

3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home

We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and ibogaine to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in France (where the substance is completely illegal) can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals.

4) Easy Intake

When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. Options for rehab in France are often underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of French addicts are pushed into less intensive outpatient treatment programs and buprenorphine maintenance. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!

Iboga Tree Healing House

At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff. You’d be hard-pressed to find a rehab more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.

In addition to offering iboga treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive for new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our treatments in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

20th January 2021

Alternative Addiction Treatment: Why Governments are Embracing Change At Last

As the opioid epidemic continues to ravage communities, end lives, and subject individuals and families to the horrors of addiction, a tipping point has been reached. Everyone knows somebody who has been prescribed a powerful, prescription painkiller and struggled with dependence. This health crisis, coupled with changing social attitudes that de-stigmatize addicts and addiction, has sparked a move to push the afflicted away from criminal justice systems and toward health care and treatment. As we begin to examine addiction without the blinders of moral censure and the criminalization of those in its grasp, citizens and their governments are exploring bold new alternative addiction treatment options that have shown great promise in healing the addicted. Let’s examine the factors behind this trend, and what it means going forward.

Big Pharma

Alternative addiction treatments: why governments are embracing change at last

For years large, profitable, and seemingly respectable pharmaceutical companies like Purdue Pharma, McKesson, and Amerisource Bergen aggressively and misleadingly marketed addictive painkillers in spite of mounting evidence that the drugs were being abused. Communities were flooded with drugs such as OxyContin, and the effects were devastating. As legislators and the public realized the magnitude of the crisis, lawsuits mounted, PR firms scrambled, and treatment facilities were overwhelmed. One effect of the opioid crisis was a loss of trust in both drug manufacturers and the medical establishment, which elected to throw dangerous substances at the symptoms of pain, rather than addressing its root causes. This has led public health officials and addicts to move away from profitable, traditional treatments such as methadone, which create dependence and examine the problem of addiction with fresh eyes.

Neuroscience Breakthroughs

Over the past thirty years, our understanding of the nature of addiction has been fundamentally altered by technologies that give us access to the functioning of the addicted brain. We can now observe the neurological processes and genetic predispositions that feed addiction and create treatments that effectively put this information to use. We’ve learned that changes occur in the addicted brain which dramatically affect how addicts view reward and motivation, regulate emotion, and maintain (or fail to maintain) executive control.

As one researcher wrote of the changes that occur: “Most prominent are the disruptions of an individual's ability to prioritize behaviors that result in long-term benefit over those that provide short-term rewards and the increasing difficulty exerting control over these behaviors even when associated with catastrophic consequences.” Understanding the mental changes that addicts undergo is fundamental to creating alternative addiction treatment models that will rewire the brain, and allow those suffering from substance abuse disorders to return to themselves.

The Truth About Trauma

We’ve long known that trauma and addiction go hand in hand. As the physician and philosopher Gabor Mate has been preaching for years, addiction is often a response to pain and childhood trauma. Researchers at Harvard University have come to realize that Mate’s theories on the nature of addiction were worth exploring. Kerry J. Ressler, chief scientific officer at McLean Hospital and professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School has been researching both the psychological and neurological effects of trauma and has found that an overwhelming majority of addicts have been traumatized. He claims his research proves that addiction is “a biological disease. We all have innate drives toward food, sex, and other novelties, but when you begin to abuse drugs, these drives become hijacked so that the normal drives are not nearly as rewarding anymore.”

Dr. Ressler’s research explored the links between addiction, trauma, the amygdala, and the orbitofrontal cortex, areas of the brain which regulate goal-oriented behavior and emotional regulation. He found that increased levels of a neuroplasticity protein, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), drive goal-oriented behavior. In contrast, stress or developmental trauma may lead to atrophy of the OFC neurotrophin systems, which in turn can lead to increased habitual behavior, such as drug-seeking.

It’s clear that reversing these changes in the brain’s functioning will be an important factor in developing alternative addiction treatment models and ultimately defeating addiction in the years to come.

Evolving Understanding

Changes in our understanding of addiction have gone hand in hand with society’s changing attitudes towards drugs. In many Western countries, Harm Reduction has supplanted the war on drugs, cannabis and psilocybin are increasingly being decriminalized, and forward-thinking societies have come to understand that treatment rather than prison is the appropriate response to excessive drug use.

Meanwhile, the potential of utilizing psychoactive substances medicinally has gone mainstream. Using marijuana and CBD to offset the effects of chemotherapy and glaucoma was just the tip of the iceberg. Best-selling authors like Michael Pollan and Tim Ferriss have realized that substances like ibogaine, ayahuasca, and psilocybin, all traditionally used as medicines around the world, have the potential to effectively treat a host of psychiatric ailments ranging from depression and anxiety to addiction. And even celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow are going on talk shows to discuss the incredible potential of psychedelics as medicine.

Scientific studies are confirming that psychedelics can aid the brain in creating neuroplasticity and manufacturing new neurons. Iboga has also been proven to restore dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state, as well as dramatically lessening the symptoms of withdrawal for those in recovery. Other studies on ayahuasca and psilocybin in treating alcohol and drug addiction have shown that these substances have a beneficial effect on the neural pathways that influence habit, reward, and pleasure.

Change is Coming

As 2021 dawns, we expect all of the trends mentioned above to push governments and regulators towards action. As we’ve seen with the legalization of cannabis and same-sex marriage, changing social attitudes can prompt legislators to move quickly. As overdose death tolls mount and addiction continues to tear families and communities apart, we urge governments around the world to act quickly to adopt alternative addiction treatment approaches. Millions of lives are at stake, and every promising alternative addiction treatment option needs to be explored. If you or someone you know is ready to try an alternative treatment that we know saves lives, reach out to Iboga Tree Healing House today!

26th November 2020 • Sticky Post

A Brief History of Psychedelics

For as long as people have existed, they have been experimenting with ways to alter their consciousness. The earliest archaeological evidence of the use of psychedelics is found traces of the San Pedro cactus, a plant with hallucinogenic properties, that were found in caves inhabited by humans in Peru and are calculated to be over 10,000 years old. Evidence abounds all over the world in cave paintings, relics, traces of plants, and religious artifacts that spirituality and psychedelics have been intimately connected for millennia. Many of those who have experimented with psychoactive substances, particularly oneirogenics and psychedelics, have found that altering their consciousness deepened their spiritual connections and connected them to universal forces larger than themselves. Let’s take a deeper look at the ancient spiritual traditions associated with the use of psychedelics.

Psilocybin And Mushroom Stones

Stone effigies in the shape of mushrooms have been found in tombs and other sites sacred to the Mayan people in Mexico, Guatemala, and other Central American countries. The stones were used to grind “magic mushrooms” into a ceremonial drink used in sacred rituals. The use of hallucinogenic mushrooms spread to the Aztecs, as reports from the Spanish Conquest state that they referred to psychoactive mushrooms as “Teonanacatl”, meaning “God’s Flesh.” As ethnobotanist and anthropologist R. Gordon Wasson states: “the use of mushrooms, if I am right, spread over most of Eurasia and the Americas, and as Stone Age Man has emerged into the light of proto-history these strange fungi may well have been the primary secret of his sacred Mysteries.”

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca use is intimately tied to the rituals and beliefs of a myriad of tribes in South America’s Amazon basin. The earliest evidence we’ve acquired of ayahuasca use is a 1000-year-old pouch made of fox snouts which contained the ingredients for brewing the powerful drink. Ayahuasca is referred to throughout the Amazon region as a “plant teacher (or doctor)”, and the ayahuasca vine is known in some local languages as the “vine of the ancestors.” The plant’s ceremonial use was primarily for healing, though it was also used in warfare, coming of age ceremonies, to gain artistic inspiration, and “as the main theme for cultural narratives.” As anthropologist Luis Eduardo Luna writes: “In general, ayahuasca is used as an instrument to gain access to information coming from unseen realms, as well as from the social and natural environment.” It has long been the bedrock of spirituality for the indigenous people of South America.

Peyote And The Native American Church

Archaeological evidence and cave paintings indicate that the indigenous people of Mexico and the Southwestern United States have been using peyote in sacred rituals for at least 3000 years. The substance was said by members of “peyote cults” to protect initiates from danger, heal the body and spirit, enable visionary predictions, and strengthen the user. In many cultures, peyote was considered the most valuable and potent medicine, and it was believed to have the power to cure any disease if used properly. The peyote ritual is generally led by a shaman and consists of singing and dancing overnight. Peyote is usually consumed in a drink, and various tribes have different traditions for obtaining the substance, including purification rituals and pilgrimages.

In spite of the efforts of legislators and missionaries to forbid the use of peyote, traditions remain strong and it’s estimated that at least 40 tribes in North America continue to take part in peyote rituals. The Native American Church, which mixes peyote ceremonies and traditional beliefs with Christianity, won a legal victory in 1978 which protected their right to use peyote ceremonially. Many adherents feel that peyote is a “divine messenger” that enables the user to communicate directly with God, without the need of a priest to act as an intermediary.

Kykeon

In the ancient Greek city of Eleusis, an important, elaborate, and secret yearly ritual was performed to celebrate death and rebirth as symbolized by the myth of Demeter and Hades. The participants would descend into a cave, and drink a cup of kykeon, which contained ergot, a substance that mimics the hallucinatory effects of LSD. The initiates were sworn to secrecy, so little is known of what occurred, but we do know that they were profoundly influential. As one historian writes: “Virtually every ancient writer, thinker, ruler, or builder whose name we know today, from the beginnings of the Rites in c.1500 BCE until they were shut down and outlawed by the Christian emperor Theodosius in 392 CE, was an initiate into the Eleusinian Mysteries.”

Plato was deeply influenced by the ritual. In his “Phaedo” he wrote that only the initiated could “dwell amongst the Gods,” interpreted as meaning that only those who had undergone the ritual would have an understanding of life while they lived. The writer Plutarch noted that after partaking in the ritual he lost the fear of death and recognized himself as an immortal soul.

Iboga

Bwiti is a spiritual tradition common among the Babongo and Mitsogo people of Gabon, and the Fang people of Gabon and Cameroon. Contemporary beliefs are described as a mixture of animism, ancestor worship, and Christianity, and the substance of iboga is at the core of their rituals and beliefs. According to Wikipedia, iboga is used to “promote radical spiritual growth, to stabilize community and family structure, to meet religious requirements, and to resolve pathological problems.”

When Bwiti shamans take part in the iboga ceremony, they believe that they gain the ability to heal illnesses, communicate with their ancestors, and experience visions of the future. Most significantly, iboga is fundamental to the initiation rites and coming-of-age rituals of the Bwiti. According to Daniel Lieberman, an expert on Bwiti culture, “They believe that before initiation the neophyte is nothing. Through the ceremony, you become something…a Baanzi, one who knows the otherworld because you have seen it with your own eyes.” According to Lieberman, the Bwiti believe that iboga is a “superconscious spiritual entity that guides mankind.” The vast majority of the followers of Bwiti consume iboga as part of their coming-of-age ritual, and it is a fundamental building block of their culture and community.

Modern Traditions

As you can see, society, culture and spirituality have been shaped by psychedelics since the dawn of time. Psychedelics enlarge our perceptions and guide us toward a fuller understanding and greater respect for the universe, nature, our fellows, and ourselves. At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have seen profound spiritual growth and healing occur through the use of these extraordinary plants time and again. If you have any questions you’d like to ask about using iboga or other psychoactive substances as a tool for spiritual growth and healing, get in touch with us today!

24th November 2020 • Sticky Post

Iboga in 2020

Iboga has come a long way in 2020, both figuratively and literally. The psychoactive root bark of an African shrub which is a fundamental sacrament of the Bwiti spiritual tradition has been making its way around the world since American Howard Lotsof stumbled upon its efficacy in treating heroin addiction decades ago. In late 2018 the 5th international ibogaine conference, the European Ibogaine Forum was held in Porto, Portugal. The event was co-organized by Iboga Tree Healing House in concert with the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA) and Ibogaine for the World.

Iboga Tree Healing House also proudly exhibited amongst the top rehab centers from around the world to spread the word about iboga help and other recovery tools to academics, scholars, medical and mental health practitioners at the 2019 iCAAD conference in London. iCAAD is a platform dedicated to expanding knowledge, exchanging ideas, advancing well being and the prevention and treatment of Behavioural, Mental, and Emotional Health issues.

As the global opioid crisis continues to rage around the world, iboga treatment programs have been popping up in every corner of the globe, and medical science is finally beginning to awaken to the benefits it can provide in battling addiction and dealing with psychological disorders. Iboga has been in the news a great deal, with celebrity/lifestyle-guru Gwyneth Paltrow recently invoking its effects in an interview with the New York Times, and Hunter Biden, son of US Presidential hopeful Joe Biden, discussing the role iboga played in his journey towards recovery in a lengthy New Yorker profile. But is the renewed attention finally going to lead to the long-term studies needed to push this powerful treatment into the medical mainstream? Let’s take a look at where iboga is, and where it’s going, in 2020.

Iboga And The Law

In America iboga is still a schedule 1 drug, which means those desperate for treatment are forced to go abroad, often using Mexican clinics with varying levels of professionalism and attention to patient safety. While a study seeking to gain FDA approval began in the 1990s and demonstrated promising results, a host of factors including complaints from the pharmaceutical industry, mounting costs, and an ongoing lawsuit conspired to end it before legal approval could be achieved.

But while iboga is still illegal, a pair of scientists working at the Universities of Vermont and Albany Medical College have developed a substance called 18-Methoxycoronairidine (18-MC), a derivative of iboga that aims to offer the same addiction-fighting benefits without the negative physical side-effects and psychoactive potency of the original substance. While many iboga advocates feel that the psychoactive effects are an essential part of the addictions treatment process, there’s little doubt that removing them will make the substance more palatable to the FDA.

Word of iboga’s addiction-healing effects is reaching more ears (and eyes) than ever before in 2019. An independent film about alternative addiction treatments like iboga called ‘Dosed’ is already creating a furor in Canada. It highlights the amazing progress being made in this area of study, as well as the antiquated laws and regulations holding it back.

As Psychedelics Today reports: “In 2014, a company called Savant HWP began pre-clinical and Phase 1 trials with 18-MC funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. These trials were successful, and Phase 2 trials are set to begin this year. If clinical trials continue to be successful, 18-MC could be an FDA approved treatment for addiction within the next decade.” While we at Iboga Tree Healing House are committed to the transformative effects of the traditional iboga journey, we would advocate for any tool that has the potential to free millions of people from addiction.

It is also worth noting that clinical trials in the US on MDMA as a treatment for PTSD are entered the third, and most rigorous phase of clinical trials last year. If successful, these trials could have a dramatic impact on attitudes and legislation regarding psychoactive substances as a part of addiction treatment and mental health. As cities and states across the USA move forward with the legalization of psilocybin, which has shown great potential in treating depression, alcoholism, and other ailments, it appears that the public will grow more receptive to treatments like iboga, and the pressure on regulators will mount.

A Time Of Progress

As news of the positive effects iboga is having on addiction reaches the public, some countries have taken positive steps. “Ibogaine is not included in the UN International Narcotics Control Board’s (INCB) Green List, or List of Psychoactive Substances under International Control,” according to the Global Ibogaine Therapy Alliance (GITA). GITA also provides a helpful map indicating the legal status of the substance in countries around the world.

It’s difficult to predict the future of iboga regulation, but we would expect a growing number of countries to embrace the harm reduction principles which have worked so well for Portugal, while also following Canada and the USA in their moves to decriminalize increasing numbers of substances such as cannabis products and psilocybin, which are used recreationally and therapeutically and have little potential to create addiction. The influential thinker Tim Ferriss has recently been investing a great deal of time, energy, and money into researching the benefits we can reap from psychedelics, and a fascinating recent podcast details much of his research on psilocybin as a therapeutic tool.

While widespread acceptance and promotion of iboga therapy are unlikely to come in the next few years, trends indicate that the push to legalize this invaluable addiction interrupter will only grow stronger in the coming decade.

Grey Areas: Using Ibogaine in 2020

Iboga is illegal in a lot of countries, and its legal status is murky in a host of others. While eyes are opening to the good it can do, we still have a ways to go before those who would benefit most from the treatment can access it safely in a setting of their choice. But as the scientific community and the mainstream learn more about psychedelic and oneirogenic substances, attitudes are primed to change. As we’ve learned from the process of decriminalizing medical marijuana, once a tipping point is reached in terms of changing attitudes and accepting scientific results without the baggage of puritanical, prohibitionist prejudices, society can move quickly. As best-selling books like Michael Pollan’s “How to Change Your Mind” and Ayelet Waldman’s “A Really Good Day” teach society that these substances are, in many instances, safer than the drugs pushed on sufferers by “Big Pharma”, we’d expect to see changes begin in the very near future.

Until those changes take shape, we’d recommend seeking iboga therapy in a country where you can have a safe experience. This means choosing a country where the substance is legal, or one where its use is decriminalized. Don’t forget that this is a powerful medicine, which can cause severe side-effects, and that there is a small but real possibility that you might need urgent medical attention. At Iboga Tree Healing House we look forward to the day when iboga’s power to end addiction is available to ease the pain of addicts around the world!

16th November 2020 • Sticky Post

Naikan Therapy Explained: An Interview With Binod Aryal

Naikan Therapy was developed in Japan in the 1940s by a Buddhist monk named Ishin Yoshimoto. A member of a devout sect, Mr. Yoshimoto developed the technique to make mishirabe, a grueling method of introspection, meditation, and self-reflection, available to all, a softer yet equally effective approach.

Naikan is based on continually asking oneself 3 questions: what have I received from _____; what have I given to _____; and what problems and difficulties have I caused _____? The questions allow individuals to reflect on the nature of their relationships and connections with others, and to view their own actions and behaviors through the eyes of those around them. In Japan Naikan Therapy is used in many areas of society, ranging from prisons and drug treatment centers to businesses and schools.

Naikan is still largely unknown in the West. At Iboga Tree Healing House we’re delighted to welcome Naikan Therapist and founder of the RIC-Rose Foundation Binod Aryal to our team. Mr. Aryal has spent years studying Naikan therapy in Japan, Europe, and Nepal. He also has a host of certifications and a wealth of experience working with the addicted in Nepal and the UK.

We sat down with Binod Aryal to ask about the unique benefits this promising treatment can offer to the addicted...

An Interview With Binod Aryal

For those unfamiliar with Naikan therapy, how would you describe the practice?

It is human nature that everybody seeks peace and harmony to live in this world. We often experience dissatisfaction, anger, unhappiness etc in our day-to-day life. When we suffer from these miseries, we distribute them to others as well. Unhappiness transforms the atmosphere around someone miserable, and those who come in contact with such a person also become affected. So, Naikan is an easy method to eradicate all types of negative emotions and to solve relationship problems. Naikan is a Japanese word that means “looking inside,” or “seeing oneself with the mind’s eye.” It helps us to understand ourselves, our relationships, and the fundamental nature of human existence. “This is the easy process to enter in the unconscious and deep unconscious mind. It is an observation-based, self-exploratory journey that focuses on deep interconnections between the mind and body. Naikan a is non-sectarian technique that aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and helps practitioners to express gratitude for those people, places, situations, and things that gave direct or indirect support for us to live in this world. It is natural for the mind to wander off, and the best way to stay focused on what’s truly important is to ask the three simple questions that are the essence of Naikan:

What have I received from _____?
What have I given, what have I done for _____?
What troubles and difficulties have I caused _____?

First question: Gratitude:

The questions themselves seem rather simple. That’s because they are. The depth of experience, insight, and realization that can come from the practice of self-reflection is not a result of intellectual analysis. Our challenge is simply to see reality as it is. These questions are simple inquiries that allow researching our life’s mysteries, miracles, and the hidden feelings of our deep unconscious mind. This process will help us to achieve freedom from all kinds of cravings and aversions through non-judgmental observation of ourselves and those around us.

Through the Naikan experience, the nature of how a person grows or regresses, how one produces suffering, or frees oneself from suffering is understood. This process will help to increase gratitude, self-realization, self-respect, self-control, and peace. We forget the many kinds of support, love, and help we receive through our life’s journey. We focus only on those things we have not received. This attitude makes us frustrated, unhappy, angry, and resentful. We begin to blame those around us. We expect many things from others but we forget what we have received. The desire or expectation is the source of anger. If we are able to recognize the source of anger, we are able to generate love, concern, and compassion which lead us to peace and happiness. Gratitude makes us feel good when we experience it. It helps us notice what is already good in our lives instead of what is bad, which helps us develop positive feelings about ourselves and our lives. Gratitude makes us aware of the good other people do for us. As a result, we feel loved, cared for, and appreciative, which makes us feel better about ourselves and improves our self-esteem. Our emotional and physical health aren’t the only beneficiaries of our gratitude. The people around us benefit too, in multiple ways. Naikan meditation increases the amount of love and kindness in the world.

Second question: Our service to others:

When we know that we have done something to help another person, we develop a more positive view of ourselves. Our negative feelings will be eradicated and self-esteem will be increased. We will find meaning in our own lives. We will realize we are in this world not simply to survive but also to bring joy and peace to others. This feeling will develop our sense of spirituality. The self-centered behavior will cease. We will feel peace and joy helping others even without any expectations. Having people we admire and look up to in our lives can be a great resource for learning and motivation. How much we help others generally determines how much we can help ourselves. When we help others, we can live with self-respect. Self-respect helps us to develop trust in ourselves.

The law of karma teaches us that all of our thoughts, words, and actions begin a chain of cause and effect and that we will personally experience the effects of everything we cause. It is a cosmic law, which means that it applies to everyone, everywhere, all the time. So, if we help others, we will be helped by others. We don't need to receive rewards and gratitude from those we have helped. Naikan can help us to be aware of our own good and bad actions, and teach us to live a karmically healthy life.

Third Question: Self-Realization:

The third question helps us to realize our mistakes and transgressions and to take responsibility for our unethical deeds. We should spend most of our time reflecting on how we have caused others trouble. If we are not willing to see and accept the instances when we have caused others’ suffering, then we cannot truly know ourselves or the grace by which we live. It is also a part of the karmic process and will help us to overcome feelings of guilt and shame. Self-realization is the recognition of one’s true self. Self-Realization is considered the gateway to eternal happiness. Self-realization means removing negative layers of one's personality to understand the true self and the nature of reality.

Self-realization begins from the following questions,

What is my relationship with myself and the process that will lead me to salvation?
What is my relationship with other people and other beings today?
What is my relationship with the environment and the world around me? Have I caused any difficulties or problems today for other people or the world?

These questions provide a foundation for reflecting on all relationships, including those with parents, friends, teachers, siblings, work associates, children, partners and nature. In each case, we acquire a more realistic view of our conduct and the give-and-take that has occurred in the relationship.

How did you first learn about Naikan, and what led you to connect so deeply with the practice?

I have been a spiritual seeker since my teenage years. I was always praying and worshipping God. As a Hindu, we have many different Gods. I believed there was some supreme power who would reward us if I repeated his name again and again. I was not aware of my actions and deeds. I was not internally satisfied with this belief system. When I became a young man, I was experimenting with different traditions in search of real satisfaction. But I never got real satisfaction in my life, even though my spiritual practice was always there.

I got an opportunity to learn scientific meditation techniques in 1997: Vipassana and Aanapana . It satisfied me and I felt I had finally reached my real destination. I finally felt I had achieved internal purification. I could generate good Karma to get real peace, both emotionally and materially. I believed that good Karma would lead me to happiness, but my actions and thoughts were selfish. Meditation helped me to overcome my deep unconscious guilt, shame, resentment, and anger. I corrected the self-righteous attitude I had mistakenly adopted. I realized nobody else was responsible for my misery. My actions were the sole cause of my unhappiness and misery.

I was working with addiction and related mental health clients in Nepal. I found that some of them could not follow the Vipassana meditation method because of its rules, regulations, and complex methods. I tried to search for easier methods than Vipassana meditation for these groups of at-risk clients. I came in contact with Naikan, the Japanese art of self-reflection in 2014. I invited two Japanese and German teachers to Nepal. I hosted them in my home for a month. I rented an Ashram in the mountains for two courses. My wife and I joined as participants in the first course. The second course prepared us to lead Naikan therapy groups. There was a famous Naikan teacher in Japan named Professor Akira Ishii. He knew my passion for the subject and invited me to China to attend another course. I completed a very intensive course in China. I invited Prof. Ishii to Nepal to conduct Naikan sessions every year. Now we collaborate to conduct a few training sessions each year in Nepal.

In what ways is Naikan different from mindfulness practice or keeping a journal?

To answer this question properly, I would begin by saying that there are two kinds of Naikan Therapy.

Weekly Intensive Naikan retreats: With this option, it is the process of observing our conscious and unconscious mind to clean all the negativity out and gain freedom from our cravings and aversions. Analyzing present and past events plays a significant role in this process and allows for future planning based on purification and wisdom.
Daily Naikan practice: This is the process for living fully in the present reality with full self-awareness in our daily life. Of course, it is similar to keeping a journal but not on paper. Our experiences will be recorded in our minds and souls. Daily Naikan is a way of life. We use Naikan practice in everyday life by asking the three questions to cultivate awareness of our behavior, attitudes, to build gratitude, and to realize the impact of our deeds and responsibilities. In addition, we establish a daily practice in which we remind ourselves of the gifts, grace, benefits and good things we enjoy in our daily life.

Why do you think this therapy is especially beneficial to those in recovery? Do you use it in tandem with the 10th step of making a self-inventory, or do you think it should be kept separate from traditional modalities?

I think Naikan is a more in-depth method for the 10th Step. The 10th step allows you to recognize your problems but not to work on solutions. So I think Naikan should be kept separate from traditional modalities. There are some similarities between Naikan reflection and the self-inventory addicts are encouraged to take daily if they use the 10th step of 12-step program. But instead of emphasizing past wrongs and making amends, so that we feel better about ourselves and therefore don’t need to drink or use again, the Naikan approach challenges us to think selflessly about what we can do for others. Naikan pushes us to change our actions for the sake of acting considerately and correctly, rather to achieve a specific outcome or emotional state.

Addiction starts as a pleasant experience, chasing pleasant feelings and running away from the unpleasant. It becomes an addiction when the experience is no longer pleasant, but the person compulsively attempts to repeat and even intensify the pleasure produced by drugs. Addiction becomes a lifestyle. This produces strong feelings of guilt and self-hate associated with the addiction which causes the addict to rely more heavily on his or her drug. The vicious circle keeps rolling. To gain freedom from addiction, one has to eliminate its deep-rooted causes. It is impossible to break the cycle through an exercise of willpower or self-control. We need to investigate our unconscious mind. The unconscious mind is like a hard disk where all of our memories are stored. The addiction has gone to the deepest level of the mind, and there is every likelihood of it becoming rooted in the deep unconscious. We have to clean our Sanskar of the unconscious mind. This can be done by participating in a Naikan retreat. Naikan therapy

Which aspects of the recovery process do you think Naikan therapy is particularly helpful with?

The practice of Naikan has been applied successfully in Europe and Japan to issues like substance abuse, depression, anxiety, criminal behavior, and family discord. The approach differs in many ways from traditional western therapy approaches. For example, traditional treatment approaches focus on feelings, while Naikan focuses on facts and the reality of relationships. Western approaches may place more emphasis on looking at how the client has been hurt or mistreated by others, while Naikan encourages more focus on how the client has been cared for and supported.

I have already mentioned that Naikan can lead deep inside the mind where addiction and its causes are rooted. There is no other way to enter into the deep unconscious mind. The Naikan approach will help us to dig deeper and keep awareness of daily activities and supports to treat unconscious deep-rooted cravings and memories of the addiction.

How important do you think awakening a sense of gratitude is to the recovery journey?

Of course! If we are grateful for being sober, it is more likely we will stay that way. By being grateful we will continue to work toward our goals in recovery. Each day is a gift and each day sober is a new chance to appreciate those things and people in our lives that bless us. Gratitude helps to reduce selfish thoughts and the ego. The ego creates defense mechanisms for the person with substance use disorder. This is a major barrier to recovery. Naikan will help us to think less about ourselves and more about the efforts of those trying to help us. It develops humility and gratitude. Service does take some level of humility and you will find that being humble is a strong foundation for cultivating gratitude in our lives. When we are continually grateful for our recovery it will begin to bless us in ways we never would have imagined.

“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” In other words, if we change the way we think about life, if we change the way we think about the world around us, we can change our lives, too. By thinking positively and being grateful for what we have, we can live a more fruitful, favorable life.

We know that Naikan is informed by the Buddhist spiritual tradition. Have you noticed any roadblocks while working with members of other faiths, or people who don’t consider themselves spiritual?

Of course, Naikan is developed by Yoshimoto Ishin, He was a devoted Buddhist of the Jodo Shinshu sect in Japan but Naikan has no relationship with any religion. We meditate only on three questions. Mr. Yoshimoto discovered an easy method that could be more widely practiced. So, everybody with another faith or those who don’t consider themselves spiritual can participate in this course. Naikan is used to discover the true nature of our lives through a spiritual awakening, which commonly entails the realization of how we live due to the care of others and how we suffer because of our own self-centeredness.

Have you noticed Naikan working in tandem with iboga treatment? Do you feel that the two treatments are stronger when combined?

Of course, it will be a powerful treatment procedure after Iboga treatment to attend a weekly NAIKAN retreat. Intensive Naikan [weekly] is commonly done to solve a specific problem, such as drug /alcoholism, gambling addiction, a psychosomatic disorder, or a bad relationship with a family member. It cultivates greater self-awareness with regard to how our minds work. This final purpose of Naikan is a method for learning how to live happily regardless of one’s life circumstances.

At Iboga Tree Healing House we are committed to utilizing holistic therapies in order to heal minds and bodies ravaged by addiction. We’re extremely excited about the potential of Naikan therapy as a complement to iboga treatment, and a method for furthering mindfulness and spirituality among our clients. Gratitude and meditation are both extremely powerful tools for helping individuals along in their recovery journey, and we feel that Binod’s presence will be a boon to all of our current and future clients!

6th August 2020 • Sticky Post

Iboga Therapy: 5 Good Reasons to Explore This Unorthodox Option

There is no journey you’ll ever take in life more difficult, or more rewarding than the journey from addiction to recovery. Addiction has a host of hideous effects on your body, mind, spirit, and relationships with the people you love. Breaking free from addiction will allow you to build the life you want, and offer you a chance at happiness, health, and fulfillment. But beating addiction won’t be easy. In spite of years of research into the best methods and strategies for getting clean and staying that way, relapse remains a threat for everyone who goes through the initial stages of treatment. Conservative estimates put relapse rates at somewhere between 40-60% of all addicts in recovery, similar to those for chronic recurring diseases like asthma, diabetes, and hypertension. It’s enough to make you consider alternatives to traditional modes of treatment, and the success stories of people who’ve undergone iboga therapy offer 5 convincing reasons to try a method which has demonstrated its ability to guide addicts down the path to recovery.

1) Minimised Withdrawal Symptoms

The first obstacle to treating addiction is the fear of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can cause intense physical and psychological pain. They can even be life-threatening. But for those clearing their systems of heroin, other opiates, and opioids, iboga therapy has been proven to dramatically reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. There is anecdotal evidence that iboga therapy can also lessen withdrawal symptoms for those withdrawing from cocaine and crack. The nightmare of the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms when detoxing from opioid-based pain medications and heroin have stopped many addicts from attempting to reclaim their lives. Iboga therapy can reduce the nausea, intestinal pain, restlessness, tremors, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea and muscle and joint aches that are often associated with opiate and opioid withdrawal. You’ll find that it’s a lot easier to embrace the treatment process when you aren’t in agony.

2) One Size Does Not Fit All

Iboga Therapy: 5 Good Reasons to Explore This Unorthodox Option

As evidenced by the fact that approximately 50% of drug addicts in recovery experience a relapse, there is room for improvement in the way we treat addiction. If you’ve already gone through a traditional treatment center (or two) and found that you couldn’t break the cycle of dealing with stresses, cravings, and pain with a substance of abuse, it might be time to experiment with a new method of overcoming addiction. At Iboga Tree Healing House we’ve seen ibogaine, combined with holistic therapies like yoga and mindfulness, deal with addicts who many would’ve deemed “hopeless.” People respond differently to different treatments, but iboga’s ability to allow addicts to approach their illness with fresh eyes and a sense of possibility can be a life-saver for people who have relapsed time and again after undergoing "traditional" therapy models.

3) A Whole New You

Addiction creates a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. And those who fall prey to this insidious affliction are often seeking a release from the pain of past trauma, co-occurring disorders, physical pain, or all of the above. No one needs a jolt of positivity and hope more than an addict, and iboga therapy has the power to offer the addicted a long look at how their life history, decision-making, and habits have led them where they are, and how a fresh approach can lead them out of suffering. Iboga’s effects on the central nervous system include increasing neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to generate new neurons and break free from negative mental patterns. Combined with the oneirogenic effect of leading users through vivid visions of life-shaping events, iboga therapy allows addicts undergoing treatment to take stock of their lives while also generating a receptive attitude towards the changes necessary to sustain recovery and rebuild their physical and mental health.

4) A Much Needed Re-Set For Your Brain

Dopamine receptors and neurotransmitters in the brain control our feelings associated with reward and pleasure. For addicts, the pathways and triggers which control the release of dopamine become dependent on a foreign substance and eventually stop responding to other sources of pleasure. Brain imaging studies have also found that dopamine receptors are also linked to our inhibitions, self-control, and tendencies toward compulsive behaviour. Prolonged addiction reduces the ability to exert control over cravings, while also convincing the mind that in order to feel pleasure, we must stimulate it with harmful substances. This is one of the primary reasons why addiction is so difficult to overcome.

Iboga has been proven to restore dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state. This is the reason why addicts will be free from cravings for a period ranging from 3 months to a year following a single dose of ibogaine. While this action isn’t enough to single-handedly end addiction, it does provide a window for you to build healthy habits, and deal with the mental and physical issues which led you into addiction. It’s a mistake to believe that iboga is all you need to “cure” addiction, but using this potent addiction interrupter will give you a chance to build solid foundations for life in recovery.

5) Results That Last A Lifetime

Long-term studies on the effects of iboga therapy have been conducted in Mexico and New Zealand. The Mexican study found that treatment outcomes were positive, and drug use was reduced throughout the period of the 12 month study. The researchers in New Zealand concluded that their study “provided further evidence supporting iboga’s effectiveness in reducing opioid withdrawal, cravings and use over an extended period.” Some doctors have reported long-term success rates of 70-80% in treating drugs of abuse with ibogaine, and while responsible providers will encourage therapeutic and other treatments in order to combat the root causes of addiction, objective observers generally conclude that iboga’s ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings will offer addicts a better chance of sustaining their recovery over the long term.

We acknowledge that iboga therapy won’t be everyone's solution to addiction. But at Iboga Tree Healing House, we have seen its power to push hardened addicts down the path to sobriety, health, and recovery time and again. If traditional treatments haven’t worked for you, we’d be happy to explore this alternative that might have the power to change your life!

15th July 2020 • Sticky Post

Plant Teachers: 5 Ways Iboga Is Healing Humanity

Iboga is a remarkable substance derived from the roots of a West African shrub. It’s a psychoactive substance that is sacred to followers of the Bwiti spiritual tradition in Gabon and Cameroon, who use iboga in ceremonies for healing, rites of passage, and initiation rituals. It is believed to strengthen family and community structures, resolve pathological problems, and promote radical spiritual growth. But the use of iboga has spread around the world, especially after American Howard Lotsof discovered its utility in curtailing the withdrawal symptoms and cravings he suffered as he attempted to end his addiction to heroin. Iboga has had a fascinating history, but at present, it is proving extremely helpful in curing a wide variety of ailments. Today we’ll be taking a look at how this plant medicine is healing humanity’s ills.

1) Healing Addictions

This is the best known of iboga’s many uses. The substance interacts with the central nervous system in ways that eliminate many of the debilitating mental and physical side-effects of withdrawal. Studies have proven that iboga is capable of re-setting the brain’s dopamine receptors to a “pre-addicted state”, freeing the addict from intense cravings and acting as an “addiction interrupter.” Iboga also increases neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to develop and use new neural pathways, which allows those in recovery to develop healthy new habits, patterns of thought, and ways of life.

A Mexican study found that after a single dose of Iboga, two-thirds of the heroin addicts treated went a month without relapsing, and 4 of the study’s 30 participants were still sober one year later. Another study in Brazil experimented with giving iboga treatment and psychotherapy to 75 individuals addicted to cocaine, crack, alcohol, and cannabis. The researchers found that the “results suggest that the use of iboga supervised by a physician and accompanied by psychotherapy can facilitate prolonged periods of abstinence, without the occurrence of fatalities or complications.”

2) Healing PTSD

When taken in large doses, iboga can induce powerful and vivid visions, creating an oneirogenic state in the user. The types of visions experienced with iboga are often deeply personal, and illuminating, in that they often take a patient back through formative, emotional, and painful moments in their past. For those suffering from PTSD, this can be extremely powerful, as iboga allows the patient to confront the trauma and pain behind the condition. As one researcher puts it, “iboga has a profound ability to guide people through a journey of self-reconciliation.” Viewing a traumatic event as an observer rather than a participant has helped many PTSD sufferers to gain closure, learn to forgive themselves and others, and move on with their lives.

The benefits of increased neuroplasticity are also very helpful for PTSD sufferers. Iboga allows the user to recognize and break negative, self-destructive, and self-reinforcing patterns of thought and behavior that had previously seemed intractable. Dr. C.M. Anderson of Harvard Medical School feels that the “brain state [induced by iboga] may facilitate the consolidation of traumatic memories, the reversal of abnormal hemispheric functions, and the dissolution of habitual motor patterns.”

3) Healing Depression

Because of its ability to create a fresh perspective on the problems and frustrations of life, and to let the user step outside of themselves, iboga has helped many people suffering from depression. To look at life’s difficulties with fresh eyes and experience a sense of connection with the universe and the people around you is a profoundly beneficial experience for those feeling isolated and trapped in depression. Many depressed people describe their experiences with oneirogenics as an escape from solitary confinement in a mental prison.

Depression is usually defined primarily as a state of disconnection, so the visceral sense of connection to their communities and environments which ibogaine can induce is a powerful counter to depressive disorders. Researchers have hypothesized that iboga’s interactions with the neurotransmitters governing the production and release of dopamine and other neural systems can also be a boon to those struggling with depression.

4) Healing Eating Disorders

The latest thinking on eating disorders posits that they fall into the realm of "addiction", with roots in past trauma, which drive the afflicted to gain pleasure and release from pain through their emotional relationships with food. The neural processes of addiction and eating disorders are similar in nature, with pathways, transmitters, and receptors adapting to trap the sufferer in a never-ending pattern of destructive behavior.

Iboga therapy has the benefit of boosting levels of GDNF, a protein that is produced by the brain in early childhood. GDNF aids the production of new neurons and allows for higher levels of neuroplasticity, which is immeasurably helpful with creating and sustaining new habits and patterns of decision making and behavior. This can make a world of difference as anorexics, bulimics, and compulsive eaters strive to fundamentally alter their toxic relationships with food.

5) Healing Anxiety

Anxiety disorders are understood as a problem in your brain’s wiring which causes extreme sensations of fear, panic, and uneasiness in everyday situations. Researchers speculate that they can be caused by genetics, environment, stress, or any combination thereof. But the mental symptoms can also have physical manifestations, like dizziness, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. Many sufferers are terrified of leaving their houses or participating in normal social situations. Iboga’s ability to reset abnormalities in brain function has helped many suffering from anxiety disorders, and while there have yet to be many formal studies of the treatment, anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that iboga can help.

A Plant Teacher

Iboga can awaken spirituality and build communities, but it can also help us in a number of other ways. Its profound, life-altering effects on the brain can bring healing to millions looking to ease their suffering. As clinical trials of 18-MC (a non-toxic iboga analog which would not have the psychoactive effects of traditional iboga) proceed, we might be getting closer to unleashing the healing potential of this amazing plant! Let Iboga Tree healing House show you how today!

2nd July 2020 • Sticky Post

Addiction Treatment in the USA: Why Are So Many Addicts Looking Abroad For Treatment Options?

America’s drug problem has gotten exponentially worse in the past two decades. As the opioid crisis rages on, the USA has stubbornly clung to an outmoded and ineffective method of dealing with addiction and the addicted. Unlike many other first-world countries, who have followed Portugal in adopting an approach based on the principles of harm-reduction, America still takes a reactionary “zero-tolerance” approach to drug use. Staggering numbers of US addicts are incarcerated for drug offenses, and while the country is beginning to explore new approaches to dealing with its substance abuse crisis, significant change doesn’t appear to be imminent.

As a result, the country has become a poster-child for the failure of the “war on drugs.” Their archaic drug policy comes under criticism from pundits, social scientists, think tanks, and politicians all over the political spectrum for squandering public funds, destroying lives, and failing to rehabilitate those afflicted by addiction. It’s obvious that change is long overdue, but bureaucratic inertia and a fraught political climate are stalling life-saving reforms. If you’re one of the thousands of US addicts looking for solutions, turning your gaze abroad may seem like the wisest approach.

Why Are American Addicts Looking To Portugal For Answers?

Addiction treatment in the USA: why are someny addicts looking abroad for treatment options?

Portugal was in the midst of an epidemic of heroin addiction when they made the dramatic decision to embrace the principles of harm-reduction and decriminalize the consumption of all drugs. As one of the architects behind Portugal’s new approach explains it: “We realized we were squandering resources. It made much more sense for us to treat drug addicts as patients who needed help, not as criminals.” By removing the threats of prosecution and incarceration, Portugal has reduced the stigma surrounding addiction, and the number of addicts receiving treatment has increased by 60% since 1998. The results the country has achieved simply by treating addicts with dignity and viewing addiction as a health issue has caused countries such as Canada, France, Switzerland, and Germany to embrace harm-reduction. Portugal’s clear-headed, compassionate approach to treating addiction makes it an ideal destination for those attempting to overcome substance-abuse problems.

America offers some publicly funded drug treatment options, and there are privately run residential treatment facilities. These centers have the benefit of being close to home, but for Americans without comprehensive health insurance, the cost of effective treatment in a comfortable setting can be staggering. Luxury private facilities have rates rising as high as $100,000 per month! And if you’re looking for a publicly funded facility, you need to be prepared for wait times of approximately 18 months! The shortage of treatment beds and affordable facilities has pushed many addicts to the brink of despair.

In theory, seeking treatment in these centers will not put you at risk of increased attention from the police or the stigma of being an addict in a society that views drug use very harshly, but if you’re living in a small community, word might still spread. If you’re looking to be treated with dignity and respect, experience compassionate treatment, and maintain your privacy, going abroad might be your best option. Drug addiction is still viewed harshly in America, with studies finding that addiction carries more stigma than mental illness. In many communities, the addicted are still seen as criminals who have succumbed to a “moral failing” rather than sick people in need of medical treatment. If you’d prefer to be treated as a person, rather than a junkie, as you begin your recovery journey, you might want to consider seeking treatment in Portugal!

Why look at Addiction Treatment Options Abroad?

1) Environment

Leaving an environment full of familiar stressors and temptations can have a beneficial effect in treatment. And traveling abroad can bring a profound sense of relief and relaxation. Portugal is a picturesque country with a lovely Mediterranean climate. It’s dotted with quaint villages, ancient ruins, majestic castles, and miles of beautiful coastline. And there are few regions better suited to recovering your health than Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region. A land of rolling hills and vast plains, the Alentejo offers visitors the opportunity to recover their health and connections to the natural world by riding horses, watching birds, stargazing, hiking and cycling. Many visitors are especially appreciative of the temperate climate, peaceful lifestyle, and delicious regional fare. All while enjoying a rehab facility that rivals a luxurious resort or hotel for a fraction of the cost of treatment back home. You’ll disconnect from a toxic environment and share amazing new experiences with people from all around the world!

2) Privacy

3) Promising Treatments Unavailable At Home

Addiction Treatment Trends: 3 Alternatives Driving Change

We’ve written a lot about the undeniable power of ayahuasca and iboga to combat the addictive properties of opioids and other drugs and to open the addicted mind to the idea of a positive transformation into sobriety. Because Portugal has decriminalized all drugs, promising treatments that cannot be obtained in a safe medical setting in America can be accessed here with the supervision of health-care professionals. If you think a treatment that uses a psychoactive substance is your best option, we’d strongly recommend getting away from the United States, where strong anti-drug laws put you at risk of prosecution and incarceration. Iboga has been considered a “Class 1” drug in the United States for decades. Although the government has occasionally expressed interest in exploring medical use, and in spite of the tremendous power the substance has shown to combat opioid addiction, its legal status is unlikely to change at any time in the near future.

In spite of our belief in iboga’s remarkable ability to interrupt addiction, we would strongly advocate against using it in regions where draconian laws force its use underground, creating potentially fatal health risks.

4) Easy Intake

When you’ve reached rock bottom, a treatment center that can quickly start the process of detox and recovery can be a life-saver. The prospect of waiting eighteen-months for the in-patient treatment you need can be a heart-breaking, motivation-sapping roadblock. America’s drug programs are underfunded, one of the main reasons why the majority of US addicts are pushed into outpatient treatment programs. Treatment centers abroad can immediately start the intake process, allowing you to strike back at your addiction when you’re feeling hopeful and motivated. This can make all the difference in the world!

Iboga Tree Healing House

At Iboga Tree Healing House, we have a unique ability to accommodate clients from around the world with our welcoming, open-minded, and international staff.. You’d be hard-pressed to find a treatment center more committed to the safety of their clients than Iboga Tree Healing House. We’re also deeply committed to maintaining a supportive and non-judgmental environment for facilitating recovery and personal growth.

In addition to offering iboga treatment, we also provide a wide array of holistic treatments, including breathwork, kundalini yoga, equine-assisted therapy, kambo, and more. All of these practices are extremely beneficial for re-energizing both body and spirit to pursue recovery. In combination with our ten-hectares of outdoor space, large terraces, and outdoor swimming pool, we let nature remind our clients to be grateful and receptive to new horizons and second chances. We have many testimonials from people around the globe who’ve benefited immeasurably from experiencing our addiction treatment in beautiful, sunny Portugal. If you’d like to experience treatment abroad, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

24th June 2020

Addiction Treatment Trends: 3 Alternatives Driving Change

Addiction treatment trends are constantly evolving. As we deepen our understanding of neurological processes in general, and the addicted mind in particular, we discover more effective ways of dealing with addiction and helping the addicted in their recovery journey. From the 12 Step Program to the Johnson Intervention to Methadone and Suboxone, new treatments have always grown out of medical and scientific innovations. And today there are treatments that show incredible promise ready to burst into the mainstream. As neuroscientists and neuropsychologists unearth new data, the way we understand addiction is changing, and the treatments which are leaping to the forefront are those that help to heal the minds of addicts.

Addiction treatment trends are constantly evolving. As we deepen our understanding of neurological processes in general, and the addicted mind in particular, we discover more effective ways of dealing with addiction and helping the addicted in their recovery journey. From the 12 Step Program to the Johnson Intervention to Methadone and Suboxone, new treatments have always grown out of medical and scientific innovations. And today there are treatments that show incredible promise ready to burst into the mainstream. As neuroscientists and neuropsychologists unearth new data, the way we understand addiction is changing, and the treatments which are leaping to the forefront are those that help to heal the minds of addicts.

NAD+

NAD+ is a naturally occurring co-enzyme of niacin which has shown immense promise as a treatment for substance abuse disorders, as well as many of the symptoms of aging. Studies have shown that addicts generally have very low levels of NAD+ in their systems, and many of the physical and mental disorders that frequently co-occur with addiction have been proven to deplete the body’s store of this essential nutrient. Proponents of the treatment tout its ability to restore the balance of neurotransmitters, which is disrupted by the process of withdrawal, decreasing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

NAD+ was first used as a treatment for alcoholism in South Africa in the 1960s, and it came to the notice of Bill Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, who experimented with taking 3000 mg of niacin daily, and found it immensely helpful. He even wrote a pamphlet promoting it as a cure for alcoholism. In spite of this, its use never became widespread, and the first NAD+ treatment center in the US, the Springfield Wellness Center, wasn’t opened until 2001. The facility was opened by Psychotherapist Paula Mestayer and her Psychiatrist husband Richard. Since opening, they’ve successfully treated thousands of patients. Dr. Mestayer feels that the treatment is most successful when used as a “maintenance”, and finds that many clients come back for booster doses. She also notes that NAD+ treatment is particularly effective when dealing with alcoholism and opiate addiction.

NAD+ works in theory because it creates “neuroplasticity”, the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways and heal itself. Years of addiction condition the brain to release dopamine when given substances of abuse, and to respond to stress, pain, and anxiety by treating them with drugs and alcohol. NAD+ can help to change the structure of the brain, offering addicts the chance to gain pleasure from activities other than substance abuse and to find new ways to cope with the stresses of life.

For a more in-depth article on NAD+, click here.

Iboga

If you’ve kept up with our blog, you already know about Iboga’s uncanny ability to treat withdrawal symptoms and substance cravings, as well as its ability to reset dopamine receptors in the brain to a pre-addicted state. If you haven’t, we’d recommend checking out this post on Iboga’s efficacy for treating opioid addiction. In addition to its treatment benefits, the substance induces an egoless, reflective state that can also help addicts confront and overcome past trauma and certain mental health issues.

Furthermore, Iboga is not habit-forming and is unlikely to be abused. There is no evidence that it is physiologically or psychologically addictive. As one user described the experience: “I wouldn’t recommend it to somebody who is trying to have fun. If you want your body to explode into 1000 pieces and then rebuild itself, then yeah. But don’t expect it to be pleasant.” While there have been no systematic, controlled clinical trials in the US or Europe (mainly because the substance is classified as a Schedule I drug), there are thousands of testimonials from people who credit the substance with saving their lives and allowing for them to recover from the nightmare of addiction.

Iboga use is not without risk. It can be deadly for those with pre-existing cardiac conditions, and in absolutely massive doses it may induce seizures. But even though it is often self-administered, or used without medical supervision in unsafe settings due to its murky legal status, it is still safer than methadone, causing 1 death in every 427 treatment episodes, compared to a 1:364 mortality rate for methadone. Click this link for more on the risks and safety precautions that are too often ignored by irresponsible treatment providers. And if you’d like to know more about iboga treatment, we’re happy to answer your questions.

Getting Holistic

Addiction recovery, like cancer recovery, comes with a chance of relapse. And while treatments that deal with cravings and withdrawals are a wonderful tool you can use to heal yourself, dealing with the underlying causes of addiction, whether physical pain, mental trauma, depression, anxiety, or PTSD, is the only way to truly heal yourself. This is why the American Addiction Centers’ resource guide lists a host of techniques that can help lead you into a healthy new life, including equine therapy, biofeedback, yoga, and mindfulness training. As they write, holistic therapies “offer a more comprehensive approach” that heals on “mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual” levels, “increasing the chances for success and reduc[ing] the risk of relapse.”

At Iboga Tree Healing House, we are firmly convinced that holistic treatments are immensely valuable in the weeks, months, and years following inpatient treatment. Addiction batters the body as well as the mind, and in recovery, you have a wonderful opportunity to restore yourself to health and happiness. Kundalini yoga has a host of benefits for those in recovery, connecting body and mind, building strength, discipline, and will-power, and promoting spirituality. Mindfulness practice has been proven to have a plethora of benefits for your mental health and will help you rebuild connections with others that have become frayed or broken while you were addicted. Many other holistic treatments can help you on your journey through recovery, whether it’s art therapy for past trauma or nutrition therapy for rebuilding your body’s strength. At Iboga Tree Healing House we are committed to offering a wide range of holistic therapies to our clients!

Moving Forward Together

As the opioid epidemic rages on, we need to continue to refine and develop treatments that work in order to win the battle against addiction. Traditional treatment modalities have worked for millions, but they’ve also allowed millions of others to slip through the cracks. We have discovered promising new ways to treat this devastating and debilitating disease, and we should use them to free those trapped in addiction.

31st March 2020 • Sticky Post

Eating Disorder Treatment: How Can Iboga Help You?

Most discussions of eating disorders tend to focus on positive and negative body images, the fashion industry, and an obsession with weight loss. But the renowned physician Dr. Gabor Mate would argue that eating disorders fall into the realm of addiction. As he puts it; “I have never met an anorexic or bulimic who was not a traumatized person…a person who is desperately trying to exert some control over themselves.”

Are Eating Disorders an Addiction?

Dr. Mate’s fascinating philosophy of addiction posits that all addictions have their roots in early childhood experience, as our nervous and hormonal systems find ways to adapt to stress, wiring our brains’ developing systems of desire and reward in certain specific ways. Those with eating disorders are seeking either a sense of pleasure or an escape from inner pain through their relationship with food, in the same manner, and with the same mental processes and responses as a heroin addict seeks release through the drug. For more detail on Dr. Mate’s beliefs on emotional eating and addiction, we recommend this lecture.

If we accept that eating disorders are an addiction, we need to view their treatment through a different lens. The addicted brain has significant differences in its circuitry than a healthy brain. The systems which regulate the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls the body’s reward system, essentially stop producing pleasure except when triggered by the addictive substance. As our understanding of neurology has grown, we have learned that addiction hardwires certain behaviors into our minds. The addicted brain develops different responses to stress, anxiety, and substances of abuse than the healthy brain. The neurotransmitters and receptors which govern pain and pleasure take proteins from other neurons to create pathways that respond only to the presence or absence of a drug. Scientific studies have shown abnormalities in the neural processes of anorexics that aren’t dissimilar to addiction. And like addicts, those suffering from anorexia demonstrate an inability to alter their eating habits, even after expressing the desire to change.

American Addiction Centers uses the analogy of a hiking trail to explain the concepts of neural pathways and neuroplasticity: “ brains form neural pathways in a way that is similar to the formation of a well-traveled hiking trail. The more we travel a path, the faster, easier, and more familiar that path becomes. As we travel it more and more, it becomes wider, smoother, and easier to travel. It becomes a preferred route.” We can expand on this analogy in regard to the recovery process. As you learn to live a healthy life, you are essentially carving out a new path in a dense forest. The going will be slow, and the work will be hard, but each time your brain returns to this new trail, the journey will be smoother than the previous one. Every decision which supports your new lifestyle will be easier than the one before. Battling addiction is never easy, and it requires tremendous effort and strength, but promising alternative treatments can give you the push you need to start blazing a new trail!

How Iboga Can Help

Iboga is a powerful, oneirogenic (meaning that it produces a waking dream state), plant-based medicine. It comes from the tabernanthe iboga plant which grows in West Africa and is an essential part of that region’s Bwiti spiritual traditions. Iboga has shown great promise in treating addiction and chemical dependence because of its ability to counter the withdrawal symptoms and cravings of heroin and opioid addiction with a single dose. But its benefits aren’t limited to those battling substance abuse.

Iboga has been proven to increase levels of GDNF, a protein that is produced by the brain in early childhood. GDNF is a fundamentally important protein for personal development because it rapidly increases the production of new neurons and allows for increased neuroplasticity. This is why childhood is the best time for people to learn new languages, figure out how to play musical instruments, and experiment with new habits and ideas. GDNF also helps to regulate responses to drugs of abuse and dopamine receptors in the brain and is extremely beneficial for creating and sustaining new habits and patterns of decision making and behavior.

For those suffering from eating disorders, GDNF has the potential to dramatically impact treatment outcomes. Its ability to create new ways of looking at the world, and neural pathways which respond to stress, pain, control, and pleasure in different ways can make all the difference in developing a healthy relationship with food, and escaping the cycle of emotional eating.

Next steps

Iboga isn’t a miracle cure for eating disorders or drug abuse, but the 3-6 month window following treatment offers you a window of time in which you will see the world differently, and gain the ability to develop healthy new habits. The way you think about life and analyze your environment will change perceptibly, and you’ll be receptive to changes and ideas that could literally save your life! At Iboga Tree Healing House, we’re committed to exploring the potential of ibogaine to reclaim lives devastated by eating disorders, and if you have any questions, we’d be more than happy to discuss them with you!

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