My iboga story – I am a 47 year old man working full time in a demanding and professional job, for the past 12 years I have had an addiction to prescription pain killers namely Tramadol 50mg capsules – Initially the Doctor prescribed these for a trapped nerve in my back that was causing great pain – I also had physio on my back and within a year my back pain had gone, but not my addiction to tramadol! I had found that by using tramadol really helped me feel better generally as well as getting a nice buzz. However, whilst this was fine for a while taking 3 or 4 – 50mg capsules daily – to get the same feeling I started taking 7 or 8 50mg capsules per day, again, this was ok for a couple of years, but once again the need to increase the dose was to strong I was now on 12 50mg capsules per day – more years pasted and now my dose was up to 16 capsules a day. around this time a new law came in to effect in the UK that restricted the use of Tramadol to that of a controlled drug – as such to get them now from my doctor became very difficult as In the past I had never been checked or questioned, now every time I went to get my prescription I had to sign for them and have regular reviews: as such to keep my dose up I had to ask other people to help get them for me asking them to go to the Doctor with nerve pain and need Tramadol – through this I was able to get my dose up to 20 plus 50mg capsules per day: I knew Drastic action needed to be taken:
I came across iboga whilst searching the internet like so many others – however, there was so much information and so many offering to prescribe Iboga it was very difficult to know who to turn to. My major problem was that in all cases it seemed I would need to be away for at least 5 days possibly 7 or 8 days, with a wife and young children that was going to be difficult. Also, most places seemed to be in Mexico or Costa Rica – through extensive research I could not find anywhere in the UK that would be able to help, I found lots of numbers to call but all came to nothing.
I finally came across Harambe in Valencia Spain: after reading the reviews / testimonials I decided to e-mail Cathy: She responded quickly and was very helpful, we agreed a date and arrangements were made and I set about booking my flights. I did not need to pay upfront which when you are going through this is very helpful as in the back of your mind you always think it might be a scam, all I had to do was send Cathy copy of my flight details, and pay a deposit and the rest of the money on arrival.
I arrived at Valencia airport at 20:30 on a Friday night as arranged Cathy picked me up and was great very helpful and encouraging, I felt like I had known her a long time and trusted her straight away which was a huge thing. It was approx. a 30 min drive to their farm-house in the country side on arrival I met Bilal and liked him straight away – we chatted for a while then Bilal give me a magnesium flush to purge me out which for the rest of the night it did: I had to go through that first before the Iboga treatment could start – I was really hoping to start the treatment that evening when I arrived as I had been fasting for 24 hour and only had coco water to drink, so the thought of waiting until the Saturday to start was disappointing: But decided that after everything I had to go through to get here that I was going to take Catherine’s and Bilal’s advice and do what they said.
On Saturday morning I had my first test dose which was fine, after an hour I was given 2 more capsules by this time I had started to hallucinate lots of different images coming into view this went on for a while then Bilal give me another 2 capsules – from here on in I had no idea of time. for anyone reading this – This will be the worst time the day after – Often called the Grey day you feel very down and depressed and time just drags minutes seem like hours you will feel as though the treatment has not worked and that the day will never end – I kept asking Cathy and Bilal for a sleeping tablet at 5 in the afternoon but they said I would have to wait until 10-11pm as otherwise I would be up all night at the time I really resented them for that but of course they were right. – In the coming days you will slowly start to feel better my mind became very clear but my body was still aching I would advise anyone to take up the offer of the massage its 35 euros but worth it.
I did not have any visions or trips I think I was on such a high dose of Tramadol that the Iboga had its work cut out. In hindsight I wish I had stayed a few more days and had the second dose Its now been 2-weeks since my treatment and I haven’t had any cravings what so ever for Tramadol the treatment does work!
My wife and her brother are going in a few weeks for the treatment and I would recommend it to anyone – Just be aware that the Grey day is painful but it does end and if you think of the alternative it’s a small price to pay:
Cathy & Bilal are 2 of the nicest most genuine people I have ever met just listen to their advice and they will look after you and help you get your life back.
My recommendations for anybody who wants to come:
Do your best to follow the recommendations you will be given for preparation.
First of all thank you so much Cathy and Bilal, this experience has truly brought me from a dark looping mess to a light smiling future in such a short time.
I’ve been to detox clinics before and the problem i found was, its ok to detox in a clinical setting but then stepping out into the real world again is a big struggle, as real life hits you immediately, the noise and stress come rushing back and it can be a bit over whelming. What Catherine and Bilal provide is a private family environment with lots of friendly interaction with there whole family including Jama, a very friendly dog and their 2 wonderful children.
I booked in for 5 days. The treatment was more intense than expected but both Cathy and Bilal were with me the whole time for guidance and reassurance. With a registered nurse also monitoring me the whole way.
Truly like nothing I have ever experienced.
This short treatment has cleared my head and my heart and given me the space and time to assess the causes of my looping negative thoughts that created my bad habits and also shown me some tools to deal with future triggers that might trick me back into old habits.
From the moment Bilal pick me up to the moment he dropped me off, I felt welcomed with lots of stories and laughter even when I didn’t feel like it.
I highly recommend anyone might be struggling to check them out as I can sincerely say this has diverted me from a dark path into the light and I know I have made some very cool new friends.
Thank you guys
Leon
One day after the treatment, I feel more blissful than I have in years. Nothing in the world could have prepared me for the medicine, and it’s nothing like you hear online, but it’s more than worth it all the way through. The stay was great and the hosts were amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience overall, even if I was a bit nervous in the beginning. I can’t recommend this place enough and I can’t wait to come back
It is incredibly dificult to comprehend what Kathy, Bilo, their amazing family and iboga have done for me. The beauty of working with Bilo and Kathy is not only that they are ‘just amazing people’ but that their approach to administration Is bespoke and holistic, they curate a very safe environment which is imperative when undergoing such a powerful treatment.
It is tremendously labour intensive work Kathy and bli do and the amount of care and attention they place on your well-being is munificent, they are real humanitarians, the conversations I had with bilo about B B king, roasted peanuts and the pueblos Jovenes (surprisingly therapeutic), how present and attentive Kathy was to my relaying of my traumas, it all meant so much to me , so thank you for that.
One must consider when undergoing this treatment whom it is they are being looked after by, as someone who as a result of being treated appalling in the past by those who were supposed to be looking after me I find the company of others, especially strangers unnerving- I have never felt so comfortable amongst unfamiliar faces.
I realise now, that before taking iboga there were parts of me that didn’t want to change, to heal, I was able to understand why that was, come to terms with it and now the thought of healing evokes excitement and hope opposed to angst and fear.
Although iboga in and of itself is incredibly healing what makes the medicine so special are its precursory effects, Iboga allows you to not only prosses your trauma but serves as an avenue for hope and an impetus for change.
Understanding that change comes from within and that we are capable of change is no easy task and to go one step further and act on that belief when in a place of severe hardship is almost futile, Iboga altered my entire sense of self – which, prior to taking iboga was very negative, that is no longer the case.
I urge anyone who is struggling in their lives with trauma and addiction to undergo this magnificent treatment, I am absolutely stunned by the e.icacy of iboga.
My brain is still processing a lot, but its nice not to be thinking about opiates and actually my tendencies for self harm and thoughts like that are gone.
Im actually more honest and direct with people, maybe a bit too direct with some emotions but oh well, definitely more transparent with people when I need space
This is day 1 after detox.This place was amazing journey and best decision made ever. Bilal and Catherine are top class profesionals in this field. Cant be more happy feeling clean and clear mind and no even thinking about drugs. I lost 9kg only in 5 days.Never felt more loved and grounded. This medicine bring me direction in life and clarity who I am and who I want to become. This is magic pill and Not. For those who want to see better verion of themselves is a best place to start.Just need to trust process and keep instructions. Hope to see you guys again
Lukas
Hello
I am back home. Still feeling good. 👍.
Thanks a lot for everything.
Give my love to all of your family and to you.
Love Madelaine
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