6 months after iboga TA treatment

I think a bigger dose of iboga might help.  I don't really do treatments or anything, but I do like to share psychedelic experiences with others, and show em how easy it is to be happy and care free.  It sure sounds like you've been through some difficult experiences, and all the religion and then the rebellion from it seems to have thrown you all out of balance.  I do a lot better chatting with people in real time than I do through posts.  Maybe if you get bored, you could come to Iboga Chat and BS a bit.  I stay logged in but not too many people come by and say much..

GD - About the chatroom, how do you even get to it??  I have tried a couple times and unable to find it...I try clicking chatroom on the link above but it just takes me to another thread with no real link...maybe this is why it's so empty?  Also, show me how to live care-free and happier too.  I've tried plenty of psychedelics, still haven't reached my bliss yet.  I'm happy to be off dope, but doesn't reverse everything... Skinny - I'm still working on this read...and will post a better reply later.  Sorry, my attention span can be pretty short  But skimming it I def can relate to a lot of what you've gone through.  Sure, not all of it, but things seem to stack up in this chaotic lifetime doesn't it.

It's using the IRC protocol GB, You'll have to get either a stand alone client or one that is integrated within a web site. PK laid out pretty good directions found here: http://iboga.pkeffect.com/index.php/topic,123.0.html I currently use Pidgin, which is a multi-platform, independent client found here: http://www.pidgin.im/ It does support IRC along with AIM, MSN, Yahoo, Gtalk, etc...........

I also use pidgin, but it's pidgin portable that comes with the Tor IM browser bundle.  Small app needs no installing, just download it extract the folder wherever you want it, flash drive, desktop, and then you open the folder and start tor.  It starts vidalia, which opens an anonymous proxied firefox browser, then opens pidgin automatically, and then all you have to do is fill out the info for any client you wish to use.  You do need an account through yahoo, msn, aim, or whatever platform to use those clients with pidgin, and IRC you just enter the server, and then when you connect, you just have to click join chat and find #iboga.  If anyone is having trouble, just post at the bottom of the chat page that explains, and we can maybe help you get into chat, plus it may make it easier for others to jump in.  I did miss someone at about 6:30 this morning.  I was sleeping, but I try not to get too far..

Wow my original post had a lot of spelling errors and was a bit incoherent but I didn't intend on writing an autobiography.   It was a struggle to get it down but I had to because I'm feeling very stuck.  Some other random things I wanted to mention:  Irritable Bowel Syndrome is functional disorder of the brain-gut as it is thought to be.  It affects 1/10 americans in their lifetime and it takes a number of tests to rule out inflammatory diseases, food allergies, physical disorders.   This Scientific American article How the Gut's "Second Brain" Influences Mood and Well-Being is a good overview on the complexity of the enteric nervous system.  95% of your serotonin receptors are in your gut!  Many people I know got relief or remission by hypnotherapy, but I tried a CD series by a well-respected GI therapist but it didn't help.  OK not to go off on tangents, but two weeks before I headed out to my first iboga therapy my symptoms of IBS (constipation, pain, discomfort) along with annoying all around muscle twitching came back.  I don't know why it came back.  I suspect it was the stress of trying to work out the trip with my gf and taking a supplement 5-HTP which affects your serotonin brought it back.  Shit well I thought I had to buy my expensive supplements again, but I was taking iboga so I didn't want to complicate things. During my iboga trip, my muscle twitching completely subsided and days afterward my gut normalized.  Although I was still constipated for a few more days I felt that somehow the iboga normalized my neurotransmitters and receptors.  Anecdotal evidence?  Yes but considering how many people suffer from this disorder made me wonder if iboga could be an effective treatment for IBS.  So far I only read one other report that mentioned iboga subsiding ones IBS.  Of course more scientific testing is needed, but I thought this could lead into something.  This was the most dramatic effect of my iboga therapy. The only thing I'm taking now is just supplements - multi, berry complex, CoQ10, fish oil, and eat a healthy diet but have sweet cravings as my only vice.  I had some minor problems with stress and my gut acting again, but I took pregnenolone which costs under $10 a bottle.  It was part of my expensive brain nutrient formula that I took when I had my first remission.  Seems to work.  It helps with mood and depression. fallout:  I'm trying to get those certs.  A+, Network+, MCTIP or CCNA because I won't need to go into debt to have a career again.  I got help from the unemployment office that has a program to grant money for those who have a degree but unemployed or underemployed.  After not knowing what to do for some months after job rejections, I figured I need to go back to school.  I've never looked for a gov't handout but since everyone from the top of the food chain is doing it, I have to do it too.  I'm very financially strapped so the most feasible way for me to prove myself is too pass those exams and have it on my resume.  The biggest problem will be getting an entry-level position.  But I'm not worried about that, I just need the concentration and self-discipline to study my brain off and pass.  This will boost my self-esteem and confidence. wolfmoon:  I'll have to ask Sara how much TA she gave me.  She said she gave me a normal dose.  I felt it wasn't strong enough, but that's just from what my visions where like.  I don't know if a higher dose corresponds to more mindblowing visions.  I'll check out the chat room as I am better communicating chat/phone.  BTW if you are the same guy HH on the email list, you're a good writer and very helpful.  Consider yourself lucky to have tried and access many drugs.  I envy you.   Seriously between you and that Neurosoup girl on youtube you seem to have a lot of good connections and experience with lots of different drugs. This weekend I didn't do any of my CBT courses, so I'm going to do another internet fast Monday through Friday night.  My last fast went ok.  I didn't read any blogs or websites.  Just stuff pertaining to computer technology and email.  Still I wasn't very focused and had an itching desire to the news.  I only lapsed three times for a few minutes. When I was younger I had a flight or flight panic when it came to studying which motivated me to isolate myself and study or pull all-nighters for exams.  I rarely did this from home since music, napping, and just relaxing would be a distraction.  So somehow I lost that drive and am thinking of a DIY at home session so that I can break this cognitive dissonance that I can't study at home.  The internet is a huge distraction but I don't know how to put my curiosity in the background of my mind and keep important stuff in the foreground.  I'm hoping iboga can help. Although I had some difficult experiences in life, I feel lucky considering where I am now.

The IBS sounds like a big obstacle skinny.  I've never suffered with it, mainly GERD, so I really don't know how one would deal with it.  I have take 5-HTP before, mainly for depression issues, but didn't really see much of an effect for these symptoms.  It is interesting to hear about the serotonin receptors being in the gut. Take Care lynnet

Thanks to all that responded, goatboy too, don't fret time to focus on yourself.  I got enough help.  I'm going to take a break this week, be back another time.

I'm sorry I seemed to have missed this thread - I like to welcome new members skinny, and I am very glad to have you on board with us! A really caring group of folks here. Pretty much the whole gamut from DIYers to full on treatment providers. Though most of what is discussed here is 'anecdotal' and subjective - this is still valuable discussion. We all want the same things - health and happiness. Thanks for joining us and sharing your experiences. Hopefully you will be able to find some answers to health questions, or at the least - make some new relationships and contacts with other members. Though small, we have only been online for less than a year and have already experienced some promising growth in early 2010. A pretty unique place - like and yet unlike other forums I have been to that concern use of entheogenic/psychedelic substances. Iboga/ibogaine in itself is a narrow field but by its nature attracts a range of different people with various backgrounds. Many of us came to the medicine for reasons of helping with drug addictions and found that there is so much more that this plant can do for us. Please stick around man, and keep communicating. Glad to have you!

Hi, I'm making some headway on my next treatment options, but found this interesting article that could explain so called internet addiction.  (I seriously can spend hours on Wikipedia) Check this out:  'Thirst for knowledge' may be opium craving Things that make you wanna go hmmm. lynnet

Interesting article skinny.  The thirst for knowledge looks like a less harmful addiction when compared to others....and may make your brain grow!  You certainly are not the only one that can spend hours on Wikipedia! Peace skinny, thanks for the link.

Heya, Skinny! How's it coming along? Tia

Hi sorry I couldn't update, I'm still trying to get back to my goal of getting a job that gives me independence from living off someone else.  I'm out of FL and decided to make some money in New York City thinking I would last until the end of July.  I moved back in with my ex the same one that I dragged to iboga treatment.  It ended with me being kicked out and some of the same codependency issues came up again.  During this time I have been in fellowship with a lay organization of buddists called the SGI which teaches that everyone has a buddha nature within, but by chanting Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo you activate it to cause a human revolution and change yourself to access the forces of the universe and achieve enlightenment/happiness.  It is basically a humanistic religion that it is up to yourself to take responsibility to find purpose in your life.  It has some great social benefits like home meetings, youth events, culture center, and genuinely good people who try to encourage you to chant so you can figure out how to overcome your obstacles. So far I think the organization is good, but has a bit of a cult of personality of the President Ikeda.  But it has something in common with prayer (except you aren't asking a deity for favors), mantras (Tony Robbins), the Secret, the placebo effect.  I'm sticking with chanting as a mental discipline. I've been chanting to stay in NYC because the job prospects here are much better.  I got a bike and can get exercise, use the Metro to get around (no car needed whew!), and I get to meet interesting people often.  After getting kicked out I did meet another lady off the street that's non-dramatic and is helping me make it providing shelter for some rent. Best of all I'm not depressed, not addicted to the internet like I was.  I'm making money doing the same old thing but been able to make some connection to do manual labor - restoring a old yacht.  So I'm in much a better place than I was before.  Happier but still frustrated that I haven't got a tech support job - although I did have one interview! I know I need to get some certifications under my belt like Network +, MCITP, CCNA but haven't gotten a job that give me an idea with path to take. I did meet up with Demitri and wanted to a psycho-spiritual session with him but couldn't come up with the money for it.  I'm going to to do it alone or with someone in NYC that wants to sit and vice versa.  So anyone here that wants to please contact me privately.  I wish IbogaWorld was around last year, but I'm chanting I'll come up with the money soon to get a order. Also I am thinking of taking modanifil (Provigil) to get me starting on my certs but wondered if an iboga session and chanting as a mental discipline would be the key.  Anyone try this or had iboga give them mental clarity and drive? Check out this experience report with provigil: http://www.johannhari.com/2008/05/06/my-experiment-with-smart-drugs thanks, lynnet

Good to hear of the progress skinny.  I wish you well on the certifications....I'm attempting the same as yourself.  I've heard of SGI, and it does seem a little cultist, but I'd take what I can and leave the rest. There are a lot of great ideas and techniques related to Buddhism.  Looks like Provigil is an interesting substance.....sharing some actions similar to amphetamines.  Even SNRI's affect some of the same areas, specifically norepinephrine.  Sounds like it might be helpful if used properly. Peace

Hey lynnet! Thanks for the update! Great to hear from you and good to hear of your progress  Interesting article you have there, I'd not heard of modanifil before this. I would be interested to hear how it goes if you choose to try it out. Keep on keepin' on and keep us posted!

Hiya lynnet! I too have had IBS and have found that, for me, it is ALWAYS a product of stress and anxiety. As a stimulant, the Provigil may make your IBS worse.  Iboga treatments helped my IBS considerably  --  it was a real pleasure to have a good solid shit! Then, the IBS returned when the ibo glow faded and sources of situational anxiety reared their ugly heads.  My intuition has been pretty much non-functional lately, but I had a very interesting experience a couple of weeks ago that you might find helpful. I was lying in bed one morning praying and all of a sudden a thought appeared strongly, like it was a message or something.  It said:  "Stop using ALL supplements."  Yeah, I have been a regular user of a variety of supplements and they don't seem to cause problems when my stress/anxiety levels are low.  So, I questioned the validity of the 'message' I had received. I have recently benefited both from iboga treatments and the use of an MAOI for depression and anxiety.  My IBS and duodenitits symptoms had decreased markedly, but they were still present to a degree (IBS more so than duodenitis).  So I figured, what the hell, going without supplements for a few days won't kill me. The very next morning, after going a day without any supplements, I could tell the difference in IBS symptoms.  After 48 hours, I had a solid shit.  I wasn't sure if I should jump for joy or kick myself in the ass for being so stoopid  --  so I did both. For the last week, my IBS has been reduced by almost 100%.  I am thinking that the daily use of a combination of flax (1200mg), evening primrose (1200mg) and fish (4.5g) oils were a big factor in amplifying IBS along with stress. Flax oil has always been hard on my gut.  Fish oil is no less than a 'wonder drug' IMHO.  However, too much fish oil led to bloody stools when I consumed black pepper (BP).  I am a huge black pepper fan; I even use BP oil as a scent.  Since fish oil is a blood thinner and BP is a vasodialator, I have personally confirmed that the combination of the two led to bloody stools and worsening of IBS symptoms. I can use BP again! Another thing I was thinking about using for IBS (until it went away) is Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).  We have a topic dedicated to it and it is said to help with symptoms of both IBS and Chron's disease:      http://iboga.pkeffect.com/index.php/topic,385.msg3827.html#msg3827 I am still thinking about trying LDN as a cure for slothfulness but have yet to be motivated enough to do so... SGI and chanting/meditation practice is certainly a good thing.  Chanting, like counting breaths, can stop the continual babble of our rational mind and emotions.  Once we can stop or at least reduce that babble, things like intuition and peacefulness can step to the front. ~eon PS  --  I see you list constipation as one of your IBS symptoms.  I never knew that it was also an IBS symptom but see from wiki that it certainly is.  ~e

Hi guenevere_walks, I have IBS, no doubt about it.  I have been trying this and that and nothing helps.  You kind of remind me of me trying anything I think will work.  Almost tried colloidal silver.  The health care supplements is almost as big a scam as the big pharma.  Of all the things at the health food store nothing has helped except some enzymes.  Over the counter sleeping or calming agents don't work for most addicts - they need real meds like Valium and Xanax and such.  Did the 40 Valerian pills knock you on your ass - of course not. Just my opinion,  cinderpath

Roy, this is so cool!  Like it's just us guys sitting around the campfire telling IBS stories.  (hehe) Seriously, though, I have 2 questions for you:  1) Is constipation or diarrhea or both your IBS symptom? and 2) What are your thoughts about using LDN yourself?  (I seem to recall that you are not using opies at this time, right?) ~et

Hi guenevere_walks, I think mine is more than that but all the tests come back negative.  I went to the internist a couple of weeks ago and he said there is nothing he could do.  So, I gave up trying.  Sometimes you have to accept things.  If something comes along I will give it a try.  I am not taking opiates right now but I am not going to mention it to my Dr he will freak.  But I would not mind giving LDN a try.  One must be sure they are clean for 10 days for if your not your going to regret it.  But I would give it a try, guess I am not giving up completely. I am not going to get anything from the health food store but my digestive enzymes.  Oh speaking of digestive enzymes there are two kinds the $24 a bottle or the $11.50 a bottle and the $11.50 are better for me, if you want I will give you the name of them.  Also, Lomotil can be a lifesaver.  The Internist gave me some pills to get your intestinal fauna in balance but I think it was more like a placebo.  There called Align and are very expensive.  I believe the generic ones are working.  But all in all I like Lomotil. Best,  cinderpath

Hey guys, don't mean to break up your male bonding around the campfire, but I just want to tell you what is working for me re digestive issues. I think a lot of supplementation is a waste of time & $$$ but I have gotten down to just a handful that really work for me. There are 2 products made by "Natural Factors"(from Canada) called "RevitalX" and "Detoxitech". Both can be mixed in water & used as a meal substitute....they aren't bad tasting at all. If I'm having really bad symptoms I'll eat nothing except the RevitalX for a day or two followed by a day on the Detoxitech. After that I just use the one or the other once a day for a few days and that's all it takes to get everything working well again. These products are better than anything else I've ever tried & for me they aren't expensive because they are so effective so fast that I don't go through them very quickly at all. Other than that, all I take is a very good EFA that has a combination of about a dozen EFA's including krill oil & borage, a good CoQ10, a multi, vit.D, extra C and a cup of Natural Calm magnesium at night. And I only take these 4 - 5 days per week because I don't want to depend on them TOO much. I used to take every new wonder supplement that came along & while I'm still open & always interested in new things, this regimen is serving me extremely well.

I just eat food, and it works for me..  Beans give me gas and I am lactose intolerant, but if I stay away from dairy, I do fine..