, ,

Introducing Dani: Beond’s Client Experience Architect and Her Journey with Ibogaine

Client Experience Architect

At Beond, we believe that our staff’s personal healing journeys are as important as those of our guests’. This philosophy ensures that our team members offer not only clinical support but also a deep, lived understanding of the transformative potential of ibogaine.

Meet Daniela, or “Dani” as we affectionately know her, who is a key Client Experience Architect at Beond, is a fantastic example of this approach to expanding our team’s understanding of the purpose, process, and promise of the psychedelic-assisted treatment our clinical and therapeutic professionals deliver.

A Journey of Compassion and Connection

Dani joined Beond in March 2022, and over the past two and a half years, she has become an integral part of our team. As a Client Experience Architect, her role is to inspire our guests engage in a range of experiences that help them connect deeply with themselves, challenge their assumptions of their comfort zone, embrace growth and learning as they integrate with the broader Beond onsite community.

Each day, our guest experience architects extend themselves to curate opportunities for self-expression and create an environment of solidarity, helping guests overcome feelings of isolation and nurturing new levels of self-worth.

“Every day, I collaborate with an incredible team of multi-disciplinary practitioners to assist our guests in feeling connected and supported through their entire journey at Beond… before, during and after any psychedelic healing” she says.

“My contribution to achieving our mission is to help create “moments that matter” in a space where people feel safe to explore their experiences of meditation, sound healing, cold plunges, art therapy and more… and come into their own sense of deeper self-love, courage and commitment to change and growth.”

A Personal Transformation Through Ibogaine

Dani’s own ibogaine journey was a powerful transformational experience. She describes how she felt ready to release her past and embrace a new chapter in her life, both personally and professionally. “My intention was to integrate all the hard and painful moments of my life with the bright ones,” Daniela shares. “I wanted to live with courage, authenticity, and pride in who I am.”

The preparation for her ibogaine journey began long before the treatment itself. Daniela engaged deeply in therapy, working to identify and address painful memories, including trauma from childhood sexual abuse.

She incorporated mindfulness practices like meditation, breathwork, and somatic exercises into her daily routine, while also building a supportive community at Beond. Daniela credits these steps with helping her prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for the experience.

A Personal Transformation Through Ibogaine

A key moment in her preparation came when she spoke to her parents about the abuse she had endured, and sought the guidance of a psychedelic-informed therapist. “I learned how to tune in to my body and release,” she reflects.

The Experience of Safety and Support

Throughout her ibogaine journey, Daniela felt fully supported by her team at Beond. “I had no doubt I was well taken care of,” she recalls. “The team was there for me at every step—through the painful, the hard, and the best parts of the experience.”

This deep sense of true safety allowed Daniela to dive deep into her healing, and the insights she gained were life-changing. “I realized that I just need to practice and rest, and I can accomplish anything I want in life,” she says. “My shadow and darkness are vital parts of myself, supporting the light that shines within me.”

The Experience of Safety and Support

Understanding the Courage of Our Guests

Daniela’s personal journey has given her an even deeper appreciation for the courage it takes for guests to undergo ibogaine treatment. “It’s incredible to see people step away from their normal environments and commit to a psychedelic experience,” she says.

“I’ve learned just how important it is to have the right set and setting, and to create a space where people feel calm, supported, and understood.”

This lived experience has also deepened her belief that ibogaine is just one part of the healing process. “The community, the practices, and the trust we build are what truly make the magic happen,” she explains.

Personal Growth Benefiting Professional Care

Daniela’s transformation through ibogaine has had a profound impact on her professional role. “I’m more confident now, both in my own life and in how I support our guests,” she says. “I’m here to connect, to learn, and to offer a helping hand.”

By sharing her truth and creating a joyful, loving environment, Daniela aims to inspire guests to see new perspectives and take control of their healing journeys. “I hope to motivate others to create the reality they want, just as I’ve done for myself.”

Personal Growth Benefiting Professional Care

A Message for Those Considering Ibogaine

To those considering ibogaine treatment, Daniela offers this personal guidance: “Start with humility, openness, and a willingness to heal. This place will meet you where you are and help you let go of what no longer serves you. Trust in the process, and little by little, you’ll find the strength to trust yourself.”

Moving Forward with Purpose

As Daniela looks to the future, her mission is to continue supporting Beond’s clients with authenticity and deep compassion. “My vision is to inspire people to connect, find gratitude, and experience authentic growth,” she says.

“It’s my purpose to listen, to support, and to help others create a reality of new perspectives and choices.”

Daniela’s story reminds us of the strength and transformation that lies within each of us. Her experience deepens her ability to relate to our guests and reinforces Beond’s mission to create a safer, more supportive space for transformational healing and continuous personal growth.

/by
,

Dr. Montalvo: Safe Ibogaine Treatment for ‘Soul Surgery’

Not to oversell it, but an ibogaine trip is like “open-heart surgery for the wounded soul” — that’s how Talia Eisenberg, co-founder of Beond, puts it.

Why do we want something as drastic as surgery? Maybe we have a malformation or a burden that’s bothering us, limiting us—and maybe killing us slowly. Maybe that’s addiction, distraction, or self-criticism. And when you work with ibogaine, and trust ibogaine, it can be like a healer with a scalpel. Opening you up. Finding the trauma “tumor” or maladaptation. And cutting it out or realigning it.

That’s how the medical staff at Beond sees it, anyway. Our team of 8 doctors and more than 20 nurses work as a tight clinical unit. We take every ibogaine journey extremely seriously. We know the benefits, and we’re aware of the risks without proper supervision and protocols.

Ibogaine is a psychedelic derived from the root bark of a Central African shrub. Ibogaine has been found to quell depression, mitigate the impact of brain injuries, and promote deep introspection and emotional healing.

Ibogaine is, however, more physically risky than other psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms.

On ibogaine, the heart’s QT interval—the dub part of the heart’s lub-dub—becomes elongated. In rare cases, an extended QT interval can lead to an irregular rhythm called Torsade de Pointes, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by rapid, erratic heartbeats. This is why we consistently work to uphold the highest standards of medical monitoring and quality control.

We respect and love all our doctors and nurses here at Beond, and we want to introduce all of them to you. Our doctors leverage their diverse sets of skills, specialties and expertise to integrate their work with those of our founders, Tom and Talia, and our nurses, including Vianey Perez and Patricia Tovar, to welcome clients and evaluate heart health—to keep guests as safe as possible.

This month, we want to highlight Dr. Edgar Montalvo Diaz, Vice President of Global Clinical Operations.

Dr. Montalvo has a few key jobs: one was to help us scale up our operations while systematically increasing safety. Today, he works hard to meticulously evaluate new patients to see who’s ready for ibogaine and who isn’t. Dr. Montalvo and our whole team, in other words, make sure every heart is cared for.

A Doctor’s Son

Dr. Montalvo is a real, actual surgeon, steady with both scalpel and suture. He keeps Beond steady every day.

Born and raised in Cuba, Dr. Montalvo had a happy and hopeful childhood, and can recall playing with his toys and watching TV, even playing out being a doctor. His father was a doctor, and Edgar followed his dad into medicine.

Dr. Edgar Montalvo Diaz

Becoming a doctor wasn’t easy. His first day in the operating room was serious and scary.

“I was almost fainting from the blood,” says Dr. Montalvo. Hand shaking, he avoided actual cutting. His supervisor noticed his fear and told him, “you have to do the next set of stitches.”

Only then did Edgar start to suture patients, thinking, “this is so scary!” But as he became engrossed in the work of healing, his thoughts shifted to, “this is truly fascinating! Look at how the human body functions, grows and heals!”

Dr. Montalvo grew to love surgery—both for technical challenges, and for the good it can do.

“The impact is so immediate,” he says. “You have a surgery and a few days later you see the results. And the patient loves you back.”

surgery team

The Immediacy of Ibogaine Surgery

“The same thing that happens with other types of surgery, happens with our program at Beond,” says Dr. Montalvo. After the intensity of an ibogaine journey, you can see quick changes in people. The root problem—the abscess or blockage of the spirit and soul—is removed or opened.

In scientific language, ibogaine reopens the critical period of social reward learning. Guests return to a childlike state with a malleable mindset (a state of increased neuroplasticity), often highly motivated to grow, change mindset, overcome dependencies, and passionately pursue personal goals. Guests notice what brings them happiness, what relationships are healthy and helpful, and how they can and should relate to the world.

“We see a guest evolve, from arriving with a lot of burdens and struggling, to someone who is decreasing negative symptoms and appreciative of what we do,” says Dr. Montalvo. “They arrive thinking I am a problem and leave with an entirely new outlook. They have this new window of opportunity to make new changes in their lives.

For the first time in their lives they feel that profound shift in perspective – believing ‘I’m worth it again, I’m not the problem…I am the solution.” They often want to help others with a sense of urgency and new drive.

Rooted Expansion

Dr. Montalvo has also set the tone for the medical staff. He led the effort to expand, standardize, and systematize our medical procedures, allowing Beond’s medicine to become more integrated in our care program.

Since joining us, Dr. Montalvo has been enhancing the expertise of the doctors and nurses at Beond, strengthening their communication, research capabilities, and the facilitation of our daily rounds to ensure they are both patient-centric and data-driven.

Under Dr. Montalvo’s leadership, Beond expanded from 7 beds to 21. He helped us hone a treatment room that is the most prepared and safe in the ibogaine world. We haven’t sacrificed safety one bit as we’ve scaled up, thanks to Dr. Montalvo’s protocols and training.

Dr. Montalvo's leadership

Every staff member knows how to use our systems to keep our guests safer. When we recruit a new doctor, every other doctor on the team has to sign off that they’re ready to join the team, so we can feel safe no matter which doctor is the primary care provider for a Beond guest.

Dr. Montalvo has long been working to deliver alternative medicines safely and at scale. In the early days of medicinal cannabis, he helped open a chain of marijuana clinics. From there, he moved on to be the Vice President of Clinical Operations for Field Trip, an early chain of ketamine clinics.

“These businesses went from illegal to enterprise scale, almost overnight,” says Tom Feegel, co-founder of Beond. “Dr. Montalvo understands standardization, systemization, the scientific and medical aspects of psychedelic medicines, and the unique nuances of patient needs.”

“What his team did in ethical, safe, effective, scientifically-based ketamine prepared him for this role at Beond,” adds Tom.

Meeting the Medicine

After working at Beond for 3 years, Dr. Montalvo had his first ibogaine treatment this summer. “It was an amazing experience,” says Dr. Montalvo. “My takeaway was to stay closely connected to and deeply love my inner child… who was happy and full of hope, playing on that floor in my house in Cuba.”

He tries to bring that childlike joy to his life with his daughter, 8, and his wife. A prospective client or family member may meet Dr. Montalvo via Zoom, rocking in his rocking chair with a uniform with his name on his chest, “Dr. Edgar Montalvo Diaz, M.D.” looking as content as a kid in his living room dreaming of being a doctor.

All of the physicians at Beond are ready and prepared to guide clients through what the physicians call “soul surgery.” It’s a chance to dig deep, to heal from those wounds that no one else can see but that you feel every single day.

And—guess what!—at Beond, a guest can do this surgery without a single stitch. That’s right. We’re talking about a different kind of healing—one that doesn’t involve a scalpel or stitches but instead focuses on the mind, the heart, and the spirit. Beond has built the team, the expertise, and the compassion to help guide each client through their journey, every step of the way. And in the process, we’re helping people rediscover the best version of themselves.

/by

Dr. Ramirez: Going Deep While Staying Safe

Dr. Ramirez, surfing.

How Our Clinical Director and Our Medical Team Turn Personal Passion into Mitigating Risk

*Note: we love our medical staff. They work closely as a team to keep guests safe. We know you’ll love them, too. This month, we’re taking a closer look at one of our health professionals, so guests can see where the passion for safety comes from. The qualities found in Dr. Ramirez are found in all of our team members. “We have a unique group of individuals that have become a seamless team of medical heroes,” says Tom Feegel, Beond’s co-founder. “Look for more profiles of our doctors and nurses in the coming months.”

When he was 6 or 7, growing up in Cancun, and family members were sick, Eduardo Ramirez would play doctor. He’d take their temperature, dab their brow with a washcloth and comfort them by their bedside. 

Becoming a doctor in real life seemed like too big a task. Then, the mushrooms had a word with him. As a young man, Eduardo ate some psilocybin, and a voice in his head said: “Eduardo, in life you cannot be lazy, if you want to achieve real things, you need to work hard, and don’t be afraid to go big.”

Eduardo, now 36, listened to the mushrooms and became Dr. Ramirez, one of our clinical directors. And, today, he sometimes goes big. He’s worked on oil rigs, surfed big waves, and earned a karate black belt. 

All the while, he’s learned to balance going big with safety. Take scuba diving. Dr. Ramirez checks his gear’s pressure gauges and inspects the o-rings and does safety stops to avoid the bends (a life-threatening sickness that can come from rising to the surface too fast). It’s only by adhering to a rigorous safety protocol that a diver can feel safe to linger in the depths, so he can marvel at the rippling coral, the bright clown fish, the scary sharks.

Dr. Ramirez, underwater. 

Psychedelic Scuba Diving

Dr. Ramirez learned about the indigenous use of psychedelics. He spent a year as a doctor with Mexico’s Huichol tribe, and was welcomed into their traditional peyote circles. Bridging cultures with plant medicine and deeply caring for the community is part of our lives at Beond. Some of us help out at local mushroom ceremonies, the kinds of which have been going on for hundreds of years. 

As an emergency medicine physician in Cancun, a few years ago, Dr. Ramirez stumbled on something that was at least as edgy as scuba diving. He suddenly found himself at one of Cancun’s iboga retreats—not Beond—where there was no medical care. No heart monitors, no physicians, no supplementary treatments or care. Dr. Ramirez knew that iboga calls for humility and care in a way that mescaline and mushrooms don’t. 

Iboga is an important part of the Babongo culture in Gabon. But ibogaine affects the cardiovascular system. In rare instances, ibogaine makes the heart beat in a rhythm that is different from its normal, life-giving lub-dub, lub-dub. The dub stops dubbing, and the heart stops pumping blood through the body. In Gabon, “the risk of death is well known and part of the initiation-myth.” When ibogaine is done without screening and medical care—including in Gabonese rituals—some estimates are that one in 200 people die. 

The ibogaine clinics without medical professionals are like scuba diving without any extra air in the tank. In fact, Dr. Ramirez was shocked to learn that many retreats and ibogaine circles are still run by people with no medical qualifications. 

Dr. Ramirez, left, during his year as a doctor for a Huichol tribe, where he learned to respect the indigenous uses of psychedelics. 

How Beond Mitigates Risk

Beond strives to be the opposite of those ibogaine clinics. At Beond, we’re like a group of scuba instructors that is always working on getting safer, so their guests can enjoy the dive. We are constantly studying more, measuring more, triple checking more and learning more about what it means to create a safer environment and treatment experience for clients. 

Dr. Ramirez is just one of our amazing staff that makes our facility one of the best and safest in the world. Our medical team of five doctors and nearly two dozen nurses strive to be a fine-tuned organization of deeply dedicated and trained professionals who work together as one for increased safety. 

Our medical team has helped develop sophisticated multi-stage risk mitigation strategies and safety protocols, aiming to craft the most rigorous in the entire ibogaine world. “Our deeply safe space causes someone to say ‘Okay, I can relax, and allow the ibogaine to have its effects, to let these people take care of me while I go very deep into consciousness,’” says Tom Feegel, Beond’s co-founder. 

We have trained with top universities, published features in well-recognized  journals, and have affiliations with many psychedelic industry professionals. Our research advisor did a study funded by MAPS. Our data scientist graduated from the Yale School of Medicine. Our psychology advisor published a peer-reviewed paper in Frontiers in Psychiatry. Our nurses are trained in advanced cardiac life support and some have years of ibogaine nursing experience. 

Our Safety Checks

Prevention is the best medicine. So, before anyone comes, we take care to screen out anyone with heart problems. A doctor, such as our wise Dr. Edgar Montalvo Diaz, may ask for recent medical tests like echocardiograms to evaluate your heart health. Dr. Montalvo judiciously screens out guests with health risks. 

Clinical director Vianey Perez, RN, is practiced at guiding clients smoothly through the medical intake process to make sure our clients qualify for treatment. “We make sure the body is physically stable enough for this treatment, and that there’s psychological and spiritual safety,” says Perez.

Guests receive: 

— Multiple urine drug tests, checking other drugs in the system, since some can interfere with ibogaine. 

—At least two blood tests checking electrolytes. Stable electrolytes can reduce risks to the heart.

— A 45-element metabolic panel checking the body’s enzymes—especially liver in cases of alcohol dependence. 

“Not a lot of clinics can go that deep into a screening process,” says Dr. Ramirez. 

Dr. Ramirez, surfing. 

Matters of the Heart

We treat the whole person, but we pay special attention to the heart. 

We are continually training the medical team on the intricacies of cardiac-electrophysiology (the electrical activity in the heart). 

We give everyone at least five echocardiograms, so the doctors know, share, compare and confirm that the heart is healthy, and stays healthy. We are continually using digital technologies to gather, analyze, monitor and share details before, during and after every treatment—while remaining HIPAA compliant.

“By the time the client gets into the treatment room, they have a personal relationship with the individual doctors and nurses, and know that they’re all people who know what they’re doing, and feel that the team truly cares about them,” says Tom Feegel, co-founder of Beond. 

Our Treatments

The ibogaine journey room is a cross between an ICU at a major metropolitan hospital and a spa-like healing sanctuary: it has soft lighting and a soothing mural of nature, but is medically rigorous. 

There’s not one second when a person on ibogaine is not under medical supervision. We have board-certified ICU physicians and emergency medicine doctors onsite during every treatment and on call 24/7. Someone from our medical team, such as Martha Patricia Tovar Castrejón, our head of nursing, will monitor heart rhythms every moment of an ibogaine journey. Every client receives treatment wearing a blood pressure cuff on their arm, a pulse oximeter on their finger, and an IV line in their vein. Electrodes on their chest send signals to a electrocardiogram heart monitor, which tracks the hearts’s lub-dub, lub-dub.

Using the electrocardiogram, staff vigilantly watch the heart’s QT interval—the dub part of the heart’s lub-dub. In all ibogaine treatments, the QT interval becomes elongated. In rare cases, an extended QT interval can lead to an irregular rhythm called Torsade de pointes, which can be fatal. If, during a long session, staff sees a rapid increase in the length of the QT interval, one that could lead to an irregular rhythm, nurses radio to the doctors who jump into action: 

— The medical staff can take the preventative measure of pushing a bolus of magnesium through an IV pump to stabilize the cardiac membrane and keep the heart safe.

— We’ll monitor the potassium levels, to make sure they are in the upper normal range. 

— We might use a medication called isoproterenol to increase the heart rate to shorten the QT interval.  

Our Emergency Plan

At Beond, we rehearse and prepare for the dreaded moment when something might go wrong during an ibogaine session. We inventory the oxygen tanks, intubation equipment and crash cart. We have an emergency button that lets the facility know there is a “code blue.” From there, we have a detailed emergency plan, complete with radios, alarms, codes, and drills, following the international standards of Advanced Cardiac Life Support. 

Our emergency plan is in the hands of nurse Tovar. She worked in an ICU before coming to Beond, taking care of some of the life threatening cases like intubating covid patients and debrillating drug overdoses.

In an emergency, we have six pre-assigned roles. Early in the morning we see who is on shift that day, and we decide who would be taking care of each action, says nurse Tovar. There is:

— Team Leader 

— Airway Control, including intubation

— Chest compressions

— AED management

— Medication administration

— Recorder — keeping track of medications and compressions

“No matter who is on shift you are covered. We are all ACLS trained and know what to do in case of an emergency,” says nurse Tovar. “I can compare our treatment room to any ICU.”

We Believe in Our Medical Team

Our team is so confident in the safety of our ibogaine treatment that many have done ibogaine themselves. “It shows how much trust they have in us and in the medicine,” says Dr. Ramirez. “My ibogaine journey was the most profound psychedelic experience of my life. It showed me that we are nothing, and it’s just about love and compassion.” 

Over and over, our staff members call ibogaine one of the most profound experiences of their lives. Over and over, they follow our safety protocols and always stay safe. 

“There are different things that we cannot control,” says Dr. Ramirez. “But what we can control is our passion and our commitment. There’s no better thing for me than a client hugging me and telling me, ‘Thank you.”

Dr. Ramirez snorkeling.

Going Deep

So we’ve seen the depth of psychedelics. And we come back to the scuba metaphor. Here in Cancun, you can snorkel, staying safe on the surface, and you’ll see beautiful fish. But when you go scuba diving, you can go deeper, and see more. 

Feeling safe, our guests can go beyond just skimming the surface of their painful past memories. They can go deep down, to their embodied traumas, their bright ancestral wisdom, their primal attachment wounds. 

To embrace, transform and heal.

/by
, ,

A Letter from Addiction Survivor: How Psychedelic Ibogaine Saved My Life but It Wasn’t a Cure All

Letter from Addiction Survivor

This letter was sent voluntarily by Beond’s past guest as his expression of gratitude.

We are honored to share the deeply moving and transformative journey of our alumni, Brandon. His letter of appreciation highlights the profound impact that Beond Ibogaine treatment program has had on his life, marking a full year of sobriety from opioids. Brandon’s story is a testament to the power of ibogaine, the compassionate care provided by the Beond team, and the crucial role of integration in achieving lasting change.

Brandon came to Beond after nearly two decades of struggling with addiction. His letter describes the welcoming and supportive environment at Beond, the transformative visions he experienced during his ibogaine treatment, and the significant personal growth he achieved through introspection and integration. He emphasizes that ibogaine is not a cure-all, but a powerful tool that, with proper support and integration, can lead to profound healing and a renewed sense of purpose.

We invite you to read Brandon’s full letter to understand the depth of his journey, the challenges he overcame, and the new perspectives he gained. His experience underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to healing, one that includes preparation, support, and ongoing integration. At Beond, we are committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and holistic environment for each individual’s unique journey.

Beond’s past guest

Dear Beond (and the “holy wood” of iboga),

First and foremost, I want to send my deepest gratitude and love to the entire Beond team (from the doctors to the cooks and all others), the Bwiti tribes and wonderful plant or spirit of iboga that has blessed the world with ibogaine (and its other chemical compounds), and my loving family – all of which I owe my life to (the reasons I am still here writing this letter). In short, I am writing this letter as I reflect on my ibogaine experience, treatment, and outcomes after a full year of sobriety from all opioids.

I came to Beond last July after struggling with an IV heroin (and fentanyl) addiction for nearly two decades of my short 35-year-old life, knowing damn well that the only options left were my inevitable death or ibogaine treatment as a potential saving grace.

The first thing I noticed when arriving was the warm, welcoming attitude of the Beond team that fostered an exceptional environment for my recovery – one of genuine compassion, care, trust, respect, acceptance, and empathy – not the typical attitudes or environments an addict is used, which in and of itself can give one a glimpse of hope and readiness.

Finally, I was at a point in my addiction to where I was ready to do the work, which is exactly what the design of Beond’s program enables with its many daily activities and practices that nurture the mind and body. I made sure to participate in all that Beond offered, at times pushing myself past self-doubt, uncertainty, and at least for the first five days, dopesickness (which was nowhere near as punishing and relentlessly agonizing as it typically was if I weren’t being taken care of by Beond’s medical team).

My “flood dose” of ibogaine came on July 5, 2023 (my “clean date” marked by a negative drug test result for fentanyl) and I have been clean and sober from all opioids for a full year now since my treatment. Not only did I experience zero withdrawal effects after my flood dose and first “booster dose” (which is quite unbelievable to those unfamiliar with the glory of ibogaine), but the ibogaine completely eliminated all my desires or cravings to use opioids (even after accidentally injuring myself), a major desired effect that never occurred with traditional medication-assisted therapies (e.g., Methadone, Suboxone, etc.).

I always saw heroin as a sort of “battle armor”, something I had to ingest to shield me from an all-pervading existential dread and deal with the absurdities of existence in a sociopolitical culture I did not find comforting or align with.

Other times I saw heroin as my romantic partner protecting, regulating, and nurturing me in times of need – the only issue is I needed heroin several times a day, every day, just to be “normal” (and this is a full-time job in and of itself).

My ibogaine experience allowed me to shift my perspective on my heroin (and fentanyl) use by filtering out the many egoic defense mechanisms us addicts unconsciously utilize to rationalize our substance abuse, thereby re-symbolizing heroin (and fentanyl) as a path of destruction, imminent death, and withdrawal from (or an avoidance of) the precious life I had been given, rather than as a symbol of life and protection it had previously represented for me.

My previous psychedelic experiences could never prepare me for the extraordinary and marvelous effects of ibogaine, particularly its ability to dig very deeply into the core roots of both intra- and inter-personal issues or concerns plaguing one’s life.

In my personal opinion, the level of depth ibogaine invites one to uncover and dive into, both on a visionary and reflective/introspective level, is unparalleled to any other psychedelic substance.

The most memorable visions I experienced had a strong emotional component accompanying them. For example, my flood dose included witnessing my own birth, which evoked traumatic feelings of being born into the chaotic environment of a hospital and world I did not choose, but also an extreme sense of gratitude for being brought into this worldly existence, given the rare chance of even being alive here and now on this planet.

At one point during the visionary phase of my ibogaine experience, I found myself underwater bubbling up to the surface to reach for air (perhaps drowning from my own self-destructive tendencies) with a mirror serving as a clairvoyant premonition by reflecting myself in the future as a happier, healthier being, which evoked a strong sense of hope that had been lost many moons ago.

Another memorable vision consisted of four large female-like beings (perhaps from my ancestral origin or completely extraterrestrial) who began inserting equipment into my body for purification purposes and utilizing tools in my brain to wipe the opioid receptors clean.

I could literally feel the chains of addiction being lifted, prompting me to get more in touch with my inner child’s wonder, awe, and curiosity, particularly as it related to the future, again fostering a stronger sense of hope (and resilience).

The introspective and reflective processing (and integration) that followed my visionary experience revealed many insights into my addiction, traumas, spirituality, and overall psyche, fostering a heightened sense of self-acceptance, self-awareness, peace, mindfulness, and equanimity.

My ibogaine experience and overall treatment at Beond also seemed to strengthen my overall temperament, particularly in terms of increasing my cognitive flexibility, open-mindedness, tolerance for uncertainty, humility, non-judgmental awareness, etc. and decreasing my innate emotional reactivity in responding to both external and internal events or situations.

In addition, after my first booster dose, while exclusively listening to the magic of Bwiti music, I felt the life return to my body, pouring into and running through my adulterated and scarred veins, igniting a flow of energy (perhaps my “chi” or life force – whatever you want to call it) that my bodily senses could feel, notice, and track for the first time after numbing my body for far too long.

This sense of energy reinforced the importance of the mind-body connection and ways to strengthen it through exercise, meditation, breathwork, nutrition, etc.

As a scholar, I always took care of my mind but seemed to neglect the body, deeming it as less important than tending the mind, but now I whole-heartedly understand and perceive the mind and body as inseparable “swinging doors” to the same underlying fundamental reality.

The ibogaine and Bwiti music also reconnected me with my love for the creative act of making music, a love of mine that was lost in the process of addiction. It encouraged me to utilize producing music as a source for my own sense of spirituality, a way of reconnecting with the creative source of all being (and non-being), which is exactly what I’ve been doing everyday since I left Beond.

I could go on and on about the benefits and outcomes I experienced from my ibogaine treatment but will end on this final note.

My experience at Beond renewed and fostered a deep sense of immense gratitude, respect, and appreciation for (and acceptance of) life in all its forms, including the good/bad, pleasures/pains, beautiful/ugly, reasonable/absurd, etc.

After running away from myself for so many years, I can now confront myself with compassion, be more present in life for others, embrace all the positives and negatives life throws at us, and begin to live a more authentic mode of existence in which my actions are aligned with my values – a new way of being and becoming. I am forever indebted to and grateful beyond words for Beond, the “holy wood” of iboga, and my family for making my recovery from addiction possible. Sending all the love and blessings to the Beond team and anyone who has the courage to walk through those doors!

Bassé!

-B.F

At Beond, we are honored to be part of such transformative journeys. Brandon’s story is a powerful reminder of the potential for healing and growth that ibogaine offers, and the importance of continued support and integration. If you are curious about how ibogaine can help you or a loved one, schedule a discovery call with one of our experts today. Let us support you on your path to healing and transformation.

/by
, ,

Discovering Self-Love and Healing at Beond Ibogaine: Yoga Therapist’s Story

Lina Muñoz

At Beond, an ibogaine treatment center in Cancun, Mexico, we prioritize not only the safety and wellbeing of our guests but also the healing journeys of our staff. We believe in healing ourselves before healing others.

Our staff members are treated as equals, participating fully in the same comprehensive program as our clients, with no modifications to the protocol. They are treated with the same care, clinical professionalism, and rigorous evaluations, ensuring safety and support. This approach has a unique and profound impact, allowing our staff to provide empathetic and informed care.

This testimonial by Lina Muñoz, our yoga therapist, illustrates the profound personal transformations our team members undergo, ensuring they can provide the deepest empathy and support to our clients.

Hello, I’m Lina Muñoz, a therapist and instructor of yoga and meditation at Beond. For over 2 years, I’ve had the privilege of sharing various wellness experiences with our clients, including Aquatherapy, Yoga, Biomagnetism, sound meditation, breathwork, ice plunges, and Human Design.

I am passionate about engaging with our clients, supporting their journeys, and learning from each person who comes through our doors.

What motivated me to explore Ibogaine was witnessing the profound changes in the people we serve.

I saw them arrive sad and discouraged, and then leave connected, renewed, and happy. This transformation inspired me to experience this medicine for myself.

Like everyone, I’ve faced painful experiences in life, and I felt that coming here was a gift, showing me this wonderful medicine to help me see and learn more about myself.

For me, it’s essential to experience something firsthand before speaking about it with certainty. So, when the opportunity to try Ibogaine came up, I didn’t hesitate. Several months passed before my treatment was scheduled, but I knew it would come at the perfect time.

Recently, I went through a painful learning experience that led me to explore healing through alternative therapies and psychotherapy. This helped me focus on myself and better understand what I was going through.

As I prepared for Ibogaine, I practiced Yoga, meditation, pranayamas, ice baths, and physical workouts to stay balanced. My intentions were to return to my essence, be more authentic, connect with self-love, and take better care of myself.

Lina's Testimonial

On the day of the treatment, I woke up to meditate, chant mantras, and harmonize my energy. From the start, I felt supported and cared for by the team. During the experience, I encountered moments of fear, but I always found beauty in overcoming them.

The support from the nurses and doctors made me feel deeply held. I learned that the love and care I offer others must also be given to myself and that setting boundaries and listening to my body are essential aspects of self-love.

Ibogaine taught me that we have the power to co-create our reality and that divinity resides within us. Jumping into the abyss can be frightening, but the sensation of flying and rebirthing is unparalleled. I learned that love is our greatest power and that Ibogaine is a portal to self-discovery, but the work of evolution depends on us.

After this experience, I have a deeper understanding of how our clients feel before and after the treatment, the importance of our work, and how we support the processes. Sharing from experience allows us to bring peace, tranquility, and confidence to our clients, inspiring them to integrate new habits and live authentically.

Ibogaine is a gift, a new opportunity to know and work on ourselves. It will show you what you’re ready to see and learn, so approach it with humility and an open heart. Remember that it’s just the beginning of a great journey, and it’s essential to take responsibility for your part in the process.❤️

I am deeply grateful to Ibogaine and Beond. I look forward to continuing to integrate new knowledge and enhancements into our therapies, making each experience even more special and unique. I hope to keep inspiring our clients to listen to themselves, believe in themselves, honor their uniqueness, and trust that it’s always possible to start anew. Infinite gratitude and love.

/by
,

She Wanted To Turn Off Her Life. Beond Paid Her To Turn Off Her Phone. Her Life Changed

Melinda gave up her phone

Melinda gave up her phone for 9 days at Beond. Here, she sits in an ice bath. She stayed in for 15 minutes. Photo from Melinda

So many things had been a struggle for 46-year-old Melinda*. And the smart phone wasn’t helping.

Her divorce weighed her down. She self-medicated. Late last year, her job in healthcare felt stressful and heavy, and she quit. Lying sideways on the couch in the middle of the day, she’d scroll social media. Her feed was filled with colleagues getting promoted and running lucrative businesses. She compared herself unfavorably. “LinkedIn contributed to my feelings that I’m a failure,” she says.

On May 1 she took an overdose and tried to die. Her boyfriend found her. She woke up in the hospital ICU with a tube down her throat.

The phone wasn’t the prime reason she tried to kill herself. But the phone was one factor in a life that felt crushing and hopeless.

Our culture may be reaching a tipping point regarding phones and social media. Writers, public health officials and educators are beginning to agree that our fixation with our iPhones and Instagram feeds can fray our mental, physical, and emotional health.

The average person’s phone time is 4.5 hours, and more than half of Americans say they’re addicted to their phone.

Even people who love their phones hate their phones. A popular new book by Jonathan Haidt called “The Anxious Generation” makes a powerful argument that phones and social media aggravate our crippling and worsening mental health struggles—particularly for kids and teenagers. The surgeon general, the nation’s top health official, urged social media companies to add warning labels to their products. Cigarettes are linked to cancer, Coca-Cola to obesity, and Social Media to depression.

Melinda is an astute person, and can find solutions the same places she found problems. She saw on LinkedIn Beond advertising ibogaine treatment for depression and PTSD..

So Melinda booked nine days at the Beond facility in Cancun, Mexico. There, she would do one of the world’s most powerful and long-lasting psychedelics, ibogaine, derived from a plant from central Africa. Science suggests, and anecdotes concur, that ibogaine can salve depression and addiction.

Then—also on LinkedIn—Melinda found out Beond offered $500 cash if you gave up your phone.

She was happy to hand over her iPhone, and embark on a phone-free adventure toward health.

“I wanted my brain totally focused on ibogaine,” says Melinda. “I didn’t want to be tempted to text my ex, or fill my brain with unimportant stuff.”

Beond was co-founded by husband and wife team Tom Feegel and Talia Eisenberg. They have long known about the dangers of excessive phone use. They themselves stare at it too long, too often. Phones, they came to think, are socially acceptable opioids in your pocket.

Even their own kids were hooked. One would wake up and ask for the phone before breakfast. For them, YouTube was more desirable than cereal. (They’ve changed their relationship with the tech over the years. Their 14-year-old son Charlie has been given only a flip phone.)

Tom and Talia saw the same phone-bound behavior in the guests at their ibogaine retreat.

People would come for a 10-day expansion of their mind and consciousness, and instead of basking in the beauty of Cancun and the fellowship of the other guests, they were head down in their smartphones, checking email, arguing on Facebook, taking selfies, counting likes. (The Taiwanese call phone-addicted folks “The Head Down People.)

“The vision for Beond is to create an environment where individuals can have a profound and meaningful transformational experience with ibogaine,” says Tom. “The environment facilitates a connection that has been lost or eclipsed, a connection to their authentic self, a connection to their hopes and dreams, their life purpose and vision, to their most important relationships, to other people at Beond who are going through a similar process, and ultimately a connection to Nature.

“The phone was just a great weapon of mass distraction from all of that.”

Tom and Talia had already asked people to give up their phones for the 3 days surrounding their ibogaine trip. (Loved ones can still be in contact with staff.) But three days felt “insufficient,” says Tom. So last month Tom and Talia instituted the Digital Detox Challenge.

“People are so dependent on the dopamine,” says Tom, “they wouldn’t give up their phones unless we paid them.”

Such is the pull of the phone that only two people, including Melinda, signed up. “$500 is not enough,” says Tom.

Staff at Beond hide confiscated phones as if they are buried treasure: in plastic bags in a black bank vault in a locked office with security cameras. These phones are better guarded than the crown jewels. (People doing the digital detox can still get their devices for half an hour a day to check in with loved ones.)

Melinda loved not having her phone. She’d see others hide in their rooms in the afternoons, staring at their devices. She’d feel the urge to text her ex, and instead she’d distract herself by swimming laps or working out.

“One day it was pouring rain and I didn’t go inside to look at my phone, I just walked around the pool and felt the rain on my body and went swimming, and it felt very therapeutic,” Melinda says, “I felt a release, a sense of calmness coming over me — like I was right where I was supposed to be.”

“Other guests would say, ‘Are you serious, how can you do that?’,” Melinda says. “They were shocked, absolutely shocked.” Yet Melinda found a deeper connection with other clients, especially with people who didn’t use their phones much, either.

While phones dominate much of our lives, phones do not dominate psychedelic spaces. Any decent sitter, guide or shaman will suggest you turn off your phone while you’re tripping. And many trippers report that the phone is less enticing while under the influence (not to mention harder to see and hold).

“People who are on psychedelics, or who recently took ibogaine, they have this new perspective, they feel like they have the choice to use their phone or not,” says Tom.

Shelving the phone has serious benefits for anyone. One Stanford study found that kids who reduced their screen time gained less weight, were less aggressive toward peers, and less materialistic.

Tom bought five copies of the book “The Anxious Generation” and placed them around the retreat center for guests to pick up. To spark conversation. To provoke thought.

Melinda Beond

Melinda is back home in the Midwest. Her life is better – she is exercising daily, journaling, reconnecting with friends, and is no longer plagued with recurrent thoughts of suicide. She recently went to a music festival, did a little MDMA, cuddled with a loved one, and “felt the happiest I’d felt in I don’t know how long.” And she barely looked at her phone.

“I wake up every morning feeling happy and I have zero thoughts of suicide,” Melinda says. “I’m doing my part. So yes, ibogaine is fucking magic, but only if you do your fucking part.”

*Melinda is not her real name. We changed it to protect her privacy.

/by

Join Beond’s Digital Detox Challenge: Enhance Your Healing Journey

We have observed that guests who opt to experience our digital detox program and take time off from their devices during their stay experience deeper healing and greater treatment results.

We believe that fully engaging in our ibogaine treatment program without the constant pull of digital devices allows for deeper self-reflection and introspection, more meaningful connection to oneself and others and enhanced mindfulness and focus throughout psychedelic preparation and integration journeys.

Digital Detox Challenge

It can also allow us to better recognize our addictive patterns and face the discomfort without resorting to numbing or running away, thereby fostering a more authentic and introspective healing process.

We are offering $500 off your treatment stay when you agree to participate in our digital detox program during your time at Beond.

You will safely check in your devices with us throughout your stay and be able to get them back for 30 minutes per day to connect with your friends and family if needed.

We invite you to discover how silence from digital noise can amplify your path to a more genuine connection, deeper healing, and growth.

/by
, ,

Reflections from the Aspen Psychedelic Symposium

The 2024 Aspen Psychedelic Symposium was held on May 31, and June 1, produced by Aspen Public Radio, Healing Advocacy Fund, and the Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center in partnership with the historic Wheeler Opera House in the heart of Aspen, Colorado.

This two-day gathering showcased expert panels, including Beond’s Tom Feegel and Talia Eisenberg, groundbreaking research, and firsthand insights into the transformative world of psychedelic medicines.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have joined the vibrant and inspiring gathering at the recent Aspen Psychedelic Symposium. It was truly enriching to engage in meaningful discussions surrounded by the serene beauty of springtime in Aspen, with its majestic trees and mountains.

It was a privilege to connect with a diverse group of healers, scientists, psychedelic entrepreneurs, and friends who are all committed to advancing the field of psychedelic research and therapy.

We talked about ibogaine’s complex effects on the brain and the need for medical monitoring uniqueness compared to other plant medicines.

Learn more about its current and potential future applications as a medicine, and the importance of protecting the iboga sacrament in Gabon.

Click here to explore the entire 2024 Program Book, including speaker bios and additional resources.

/by

Meet Your Nurses: The Heart and Soul of Beond

Beond comprises a distinguished team of medical experts, psychologists, coaches, and advisors, working collaboratively to facilitate scientifically-based, safer, ethical, effective treatment planning and patient care across a range of therapeutic programs.

Our Registered and ICU-Certified nurses create spaces where healing and self-discovery flourish. It’s a mix of science, empathy, and a touch of magic—making every day extraordinary.

Their commitment extends beyond clinical duties—they provide emotional support, educate you about the healing process, and collaborate closely with the entire team to tailor a comprehensive care plan.

Day and night, they are there to ensure you feel safe, loved, and cared for, before, during, and after your ibogaine journey.

Dear Nurses of Beond, we want to extend our appreciation for your dedication and compassion that inspire our entire team at BEOND. Your tireless efforts deepen our understanding of true empathy, strengthen our inner resolve, and drive us to continually find new ways to collaborate as professionals. You are making a profound difference in the lives of those who need help the most. You are the heart and soul of our mission. Thank you!

/by

Introducing Beond Horizons: Our New Cognitive Enhancement Program

Welcome to Beond Horizons, a revolutionary Cognitive Enhancement and Neuroplasticity Treatment Program. Designed specifically for high-performance individuals—such as entrepreneurs, venture investors, technology and science innovators, writers, journalists, and corporate executives—our program aims to elevate cognitive prowess to new heights.

Unlocking Neuroplasticity with Ibogaine

Central to our transformative journey is the principle of neuroplasticity—the brain’s incredible capacity to forge new neural pathways. Our program is designed to accelerate the regeneration of neurons and the formation of synaptic connections, leading to substantial enhancement of cognitive functions.

The Beond Experience

Our meticulously crafted program spans 6-Night/7-Day of intensive activities, each day building upon the previous to ensure comprehensive cognitive and neuroplastic enhancement.

— DAY 01: Arrival and orientation, complemented by baseline assessments to set the stage for transformation.

— DAY 02: Introduction to cognitive enhancement with an initial dose of ibogaine, augmented by a blend of magnesium and electrolytes, alongside ongoing assessments.

— DAY 03: Amplification of neuroplastic effects with a primary dose of ibogaine, coupled with creative exercises to bolster cognitive improvement.

— DAY 04: Advanced cognitive strengthening through tools like AI-enabled chess, enhancing analytical thinking and strategic formulation.

— DAY 05: Integration of cognitive gains into daily life with cutting-edge tools like VR for immersive marksmanship training, refining focus and decision-making skills.

— DAY 06: Our agility training links cognitive challenges with physical conditioning, promoting a harmonious integration of mental acuity and physical fitness.

— DAY 07: Cognitive reassessment, concluding activities and goodbye ceremony.

Join us at Beond Horizons to embark on a transformative journey that unlocks the true potential of your mind and sets you on a path to unparalleled peak performance.

/by

It’s time to heal.
Don’t wait. Speak with Beond.

BOOK A CALL WITH AN IBOGAINE EXPERT

PLEASE CONTACT THE PROFESSIONALS AT BEOND FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cancún, Quintana Roo, 77560, México

+1 (310) 707-1453
[email protected]