Frequently Asked Questions

What You Need to Know
Before You Begin

Choosing to do this work is a big decision. Most people who reach this point are looking for real change and want to be sure they are making the right choice.


At Bwiti Healing Journeys, we take your safety and your journey seriously. This page answers the most common questions about Iboga retreats, including safety, what to expect, how the process works, and what makes this approach different. The goal is to give you clear, honest information so you can decide if this is the right next step for you.


If you are ready to explore further, you can view upcoming retreat dates or begin the intake process.

Begin Your Journey

What happens during an Iboga retreat?

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Each retreat follows a clear process that includes preparation, guided ceremony, and integration. Ceremonies take place overnight and are supported by music, teachings, and guidance so you are not navigating the experience alone.

How do you ensure safety?

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Safety is a priority at every step. All participants go through an intake process, including a review of medications and health history. Iboga has contraindications, including certain medications such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines. All participants must meet safety requirements and complete an EKG before attending.

Can Iboga help with addiction?

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Iboga has been used within the Bwiti tradition for deep healing, including patterns related to addiction.

While some people seek it out for this reason, this work is not just about detox. It is about understanding the root patterns behind behavior and learning how to change them.

The medicine can show you why those patterns exist, but lasting change comes from how you apply what you learn. That is why preparation, guidance, and integration are essential.

Can Iboga help with trauma, depression, or anxiety?

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Many people come to this work because they feel stuck in patterns related to trauma, depression, or anxiety.

Iboga does not work by numbing or suppressing symptoms. It works by showing you the underlying patterns and thought processes that are creating your experience.

For people who are ready to face themselves honestly and do the work, this can lead to a level of clarity and change that other approaches have not provided.

How long are the retreats?

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Retreats are currently offered as 5-day and 8-day experiences. Both include ceremony, preparation, and integration support. The length depends on how deep you are ready to go.

Do I need experience with plant medicine?

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No experience is required. What matters is your willingness to be honest with yourself and your commitment to the process.

What is the difference between Iboga and Ibogaine?

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Iboga is the full plant medicine used within the Bwiti tradition. It includes all of its natural compounds and is experienced within a structured process that includes ceremony, teachings, and integration.

Ibogaine is a single extracted compound from the plant that is typically used in clinical settings, most often for detox. These experiences are usually focused on the physical effects and are often done without ceremony, teachings, or integration.

What makes this work different is the full context. With Iboga in the Bwiti tradition, you are not just having an experience. You are being guided through a process that helps you understand what you are seeing and how to apply it in your life.

Is Iboga a psychedelic?

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Iboga is often grouped with psychedelics, but it works differently from many of the substances people are familiar with.

Rather than creating abstract or symbolic experiences, Iboga tends to be direct. It shows you clear information about your life, your patterns, and your behavior.

Within the Bwiti tradition, it is not treated as a psychedelic experience. It is treated as a teacher that helps you understand yourself and your life more clearly.

How is this different from Ibogaine clinics?

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Ibogaine clinics are often focused on detox and are typically clinical in nature. This work is rooted in the Bwiti tradition, where the medicine is combined with teachings, guidance, and integration. This provides clarity, direction, and ongoing support so the experience leads to real change.

Where was Flynn trained?

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Flynn trained in Gabon under Moughenda, a 10th-generation Bwiti shaman and one of the primary leaders of the tradition today. He spent years studying, training, and being initiated within the Bwiti lineage, and is one of the few Westerners authorized to guide others in this work.

This training is what allows the retreats to be held in alignment with the tradition, rather than as a modified or Westernized version of the experience.

Where are the retreats located?

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Retreats are currently held in select locations across Canada and Mexico. More locations will be added as the work expands. To view current retreat dates and locations, visit the Retreats page on the website.

What are the criteria for being accepted into a retreat?

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Not everyone is a fit for this work. Each person goes through an intake call to determine readiness, safety, and alignment before booking. This ensures that those who attend are prepared and able to fully engage in the process.

How do I know if I am ready for an Iboga retreat?

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Readiness is less about experience and more about willingness. People who get the most out of this work are those who are ready to be honest with themselves, take responsibility for their patterns, and follow the process before, during, and after the retreat.

If you are looking for a quick fix or something to make things easier without change, this is not the right fit. If you are ready to face what is real and do the work, this may be the right next step.

How long does the impact of an Iboga retreat last?

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The experience itself can be powerful, but what matters is what happens after.

For some people, there is immediate clarity and relief. For others, the changes unfold over time. The long-term impact depends on how you apply what you learned.

This is why integration, coaching, and ongoing support are part of the process. The goal is not just a temporary shift, but a lasting change in how you think, act, and live.

How do I choose the right Iboga retreat?

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Choosing the right retreat is one of the most important decisions in this process. The most important factors are safety, training, and how the work is held. This includes proper screening, experience with the medicine, and whether integration and support are included.

Working with someone who is trained within the tradition and understands both the medicine and the process can make a significant difference in both safety and outcome.