Ibogaine Inquiries Part V: Before the Forest Is Gone
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As global interest in ibogaine accelerates, the consequences are already being felt in Gabon.
Wild Iboga is disappearing, prices are rising, and traditional practitioners are losing access to a plant that has shaped spiritual and communal life for generations. And beyond the forest, inexperienced providers are beginning to offer powerful ceremonies without the training, accountability, or relationships that Bwiti leaders believe the work requires.
In the final episode of The Ibogaine Inquiries, we examine what can happen when a sacred medicine spreads faster than the wisdom surrounding it. Conservationist Yann Guignon, Bwiti master Simon Pierre, and Indigenous scholar Dr. Christine Dindisi explore the dangers of commodification, and the possibility of a different path forward.
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A note to listeners: This series is intended to inform, not encourage the use of ibogaine. Ibogaine is a powerful psychoactive substance with serious medical risks and should never be used without thorough medical evaluation and appropriate supervision. As you'll hear throughout this series, increasing global demand has also had profound consequences for the Indigenous communities in Gabon who have safeguarded Iboga and its traditions for generations. We encourage you to listen to the full series before drawing conclusions or seeking out treatment.
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To support the indigenous peoples of Gabon, Africa and help protect the sacred Iboga plant, please visit https://blessingsoftheforest.org/ where you can learn about those who use this medicine ceremoniously, have for thousands of years, and whose access is in grave danger.
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