Rooted. Earthy. Sacred. Warm. Safe. Human.

Frequently Asked Questions About Iboga and Iboga Journey

Straight answers to the questions people ask before sitting with Iboga.

Quick Answers

Iboga Journey holds silent, weekend-long ceremonies with raw Iboga root bark for two to eight guests at a long-established ceremony space in Alberta, Canada, led by Treenz, a Bwiti-initiated Nganga. The retreat runs Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon. Every guest completes a 30-minute consultation call before placing a deposit, must pass physical and psychological screening, including an EKG, and must be free of alcohol, drugs and medications for a period set in that call. Iboga Journey works only with whole root bark, not Ibogaine or TA extracts, and does not offer detox. The answers below cover the medicine, safety, the weekend itself, cost, travel and recovery.

Jump Links

About Iboga Journey | Iboga, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca | Safety and Screening | The Ceremony Weekend | Cost, Booking and Travel

About Iboga Journey

How long has Iboga Journey been providing iboga ceremonies, and how many people has it sat with?

Iboga Journey has been in service for over ten years and has held hundreds of individual journeys. Ceremonies are held at its long-established ceremony space in Alberta, Canada, where guests travel from across the province, the rest of Canada and abroad.

Who leads the ceremonies?

Every ceremony is held by Treenz, who owns Iboga Journey. After more than two decades as a dental hygienist, her relationship with iboga led her to Cameroon, where she underwent a Bwiti initiation and was given the title of Nganga. She also holds Kambo ceremonies, teaches Self-Application Kambo and continues ongoing shamanic study.

Where is the Iboga from?

Iboga Journey sources its medicine from the Congo. It is harvested traditionally and cared for with close attention to preserving its medicinal power. There

Why are Iboga Journey ceremonies silent?

In silence we disconnect from language and behaviour, from the character that reacts unconsciously and carries agendas and expectations. Removing distraction asks us to be with what is, however it shows up. Iboga’s stimulating effect keeps guests awake for more than 24 hours, so the opportunity for meditative relationship with the inner core is remarkable. When the silence is finally broken on the second evening with traditional Bwiti music, the impact is incredible: after 24 hours of stillness, heightened senses soak up the energy of the African forest rhythms in a memorable rebirth into natural, unfiltered consciousness.

Iboga, Ibogaine and Ayahuasca

What is the difference between ayahuasca and iboga?

Ayahuasca is a brew of two variable Amazonian plants, one containing DMT and the other a vine containing an MAOI that lets the DMT pass through the stomach; the plants are combined and boiled using many different recipes. Iboga is the root bark of a rainforest shrub from West Central Africa and needs no altering: it is harvested, dried and consumed. The comparison is often described as going farther versus going deeper. Ayahuasca, like a vine, carries people outward on an often cosmic trajectory away from the body for about six hours, and most sleep the same night. Iboga, like a root system, goes deep into every cell for up to 24 hours, and some do not sleep for more than 48. Both involve cleansing and purging, though diarrhea is rare with iboga. Ayahuasca is more a spiritual catalyst and mystical experience; iboga is more earth-based, grounding and an epic rite of passage.

How does iboga root bark compare to ibogaine and TA (total alkaloids)?

Root bark is iboga’s natural form and contains the entire spectrum of medicinal properties, including a small amount of root core shaved with the bark. TA is an extraction of 14 active alkaloids from the root bark with all plant matter removed. Ibogaine is one of iboga’s most active alkaloids and requires multiple extractions and lab equipment. Ibogaine is used primarily in clinical settings to detox people from drugs, TA is used for both detox and journeys, and root bark is strictly for journeyers. TA and ibogaine are generally given in one or two doses, so onset, depth and recovery are fast. Root bark requires far more volume and is offered slowly, so onset, depth and recovery are much slower, up to 24 hours. That slow pace allows early awareness of individual sensitivities and creates the longest time in the depth of the journey. Iboga Journey works only with root bark.

What is iboga and where does it come from?

Iboga (Tabernanthe Iboga) is a perennial rainforest shrub native to Central West Africa. Its root bark holds the highest concentration of indole alkaloids and has been used for thousands of years by the forest peoples of the Congo Basin, and for centuries within the Bwiti tradition of Gabon, Cameroon and the Congo for initiation, rites of passage and self-exploration. The full story is on the About Iboga and Bwiti page.

Safety and Screening

Are health examinations required, and are medical staff present?

Iboga Journey has a thorough screening process in the primary consultation, and only those meeting the physical and psychological health parameters may join, including strict time requirements free of alcohol, drugs and medications. Those within the parameters do not need medical examinations. Raw root bark does not have an immediate onset and, because of the large volume needed, it is offered very slowly, which allows the providers to adjust amounts early for anyone with higher sensitivity. With strict screening and root bark offered slowly, there is no medical supervision at the ceremony. Iboga Journey is not a clinical or medically supervised retreat.

Why does Iboga Journey require all guests to be free of alcohol, drugs and medications?

An alcohol, drug or chemical detox is a completely different ceremony. It requires a quick-acting form of iboga such as ibogaine or TA to interrupt dependency immediately, can take people to their physical limits, and needs far more attention and supervision than a group setting allows. For less extreme, habitual dependency, choosing to be free and clean before ceremony is an act of respect for a powerful event. Iboga Journey’s circles are for those willing to do the work, not only in the session but before and after. Iboga is one of nature’s most powerful tools, and a tool is only useful to those prepared to use it.

How long do I need to be free of alcohol, drugs and medications?

The required period depends on what has been used and is set during your 30-minute consultation with Treenz. In some cases more time is needed. Never stop a prescribed medication without speaking to the practitioner who prescribed it.

Is iboga used for addiction treatment at Iboga Journey?

No. Iboga Journey does not offer detox or addiction treatment. Detox requires fast-acting extracts and close supervision that are not suited to a group ceremony. Iboga Journey works with raw root bark for inner exploration, and every guest arrives already free of alcohol, drugs and medications.

Who should not sit with iboga at Iboga Journey?

Anyone who needs detox from alcohol or drugs, anyone taking pharmaceuticals or medications that cannot be safely paused for the required period, and anyone whose physical or mental health falls outside the screening parameters. These questions are worked through honestly and confidentially in the consultation call, and Treenz will say so if the ceremony is not the right fit.

The Ceremony Weekend

How long is the retreat?

The retreat runs from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. The ceremony itself begins Friday evening and continues through Saturday evening in three stages: Symbolic Death, Transition and Rebirth. Sunday morning brings a shower, breakfast and the closing circle.

How many guests are in each ceremony, and is it disruptive to share the space?

Ceremony size is two to eight journeyers. The group is the opposite of disruptive; it is catalytic. There is confidence in knowing everyone in the circle is committing to each round, and the collective vibration of shared intentions has a power of its own. Guests often notice kindred bonds within the group, and particular elements of each journey are mirrored in the final sharing as everyone learns and expands from one another.

Other than the iboga ceremony, what is provided during the weekend?

A welcoming and preparatory consultation on Friday, herbal tea Friday afternoon, a foam mattress for the ceremony, a spacious bathroom, recovery tea and a fruit plate Saturday afternoon, coconut water, a nourishing smoothie Saturday evening, a shower Sunday morning with natural soap, shampoo and conditioner, and a dairy-free, meat-free breakfast. Pre- and post-ceremony integration support is included with every booking.

Is there a strict diet required before a ceremony?

No. Generally it is recommended to limit processed or chemical-containing foods, refined sugar and caffeine. More important is becoming aware not only of what is eaten but how and how often, bringing awareness to what can be habitual eating patterns. Guests fast after breakfast on the Friday of the ceremony.

What should I bring?

A bed sheet, pillow, warm blanket, towel, water bottle and eye mask, along with your dedication to wellness and the remaining balance of your retreat fee. Everything else, including the medicine, mattress, food and shower, is provided.

Will guests be ready to leave on Sunday afternoon?

Everyone recovers from the journey differently. No one sleeps Friday night and some do not sleep Saturday night. Guests fast after Friday breakfast and often eat only a few bites of fruit until Sunday morning, and iboga has thoroughly cleaned and reset the body, so full recovery can take time. Iboga Journey asks all guests to stay at nearby accommodation after the session: one night for local guests and two for those flying in. Everyone is welcome to stay at the ceremony space as long as needed on Sunday before the short trip to their accommodation.

Cost, Booking and Travel

What does the retreat cost?

A deposit confirms your place after your consultation, and the remaining balance is brought to the ceremony. Full pricing is shared during the consultation call rather than published, because the conversation comes first. Deposits are not refundable or transferable.

How do I book?

Schedule a 30-minute consultation call with Treenz. Everyone must complete this call before placing a deposit. Once Treenz confirms the ceremony is right for you, email ibogajourney@protonmail.com for payment information to place your deposit and secure your dates.

Where is the closest airport, and how far is it to the ceremony?

The nearest major international airport is about a 30-minute drive from the ceremony space. There are plenty of car rental options and a direct non-stop bus from the airport. The exact address is shared with confirmed guests.

Can I do a private ceremony?

Yes. Private sessions for up to two people can be arranged at flexible times. Email ibogajourney@protonmail.com for details.

Still Have Questions?

The consultation call is where every remaining question gets answered. Book a 30-minute call with Treenz, or email ibogajourney@protonmail.com.