Ibogaine Uncovered Podcast

Can the psychedelic ibogaine really get to the root of trauma? In Ibogaine Uncovered, author and journalist Amanda Siebert explores the impact of this powerful medicine including what prompts people to seek it out and how their lives are often transformed through the teachings they receive.

Guests take an honest look at their healing journey, unpacking their lived experiences with substance use disorder, complex trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and grief.

Expert guests also provide listeners with wisdom for their own healing journey. Join Siebert for powerful conversations that highlight the value of preparation, integration, and community in the world of ibogaine healing.

The Freedom Renegades: A Rap Duo Does Ibogaine

Brothers Naithon and Kris Cook, also known by their stage names, Holistic Meditation and Emcee Monkey D., are a dynamic hip hop duo you may have seen on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

They go by the Freedom Renegades, and they rap about consciousness, but in a hard-hitting style influenced by old-school legends like Rakim and Scarface. In their own words, they are “two brothers on the adventure of a lifetime, making beautiful music for beautiful people.”

Well versed in the psychedelic realm, Nate and Kris recently returned from a trip to Beond where they took ibogaine for the first time. To end their 10-day stay, they played a concert for guests and staff.


What We Discuss

— What separates the Freedom Renegades from other hip hop artists
— What influences their music
— Looking at the lyrics of “One Last Ride”
— What it’s like to freestyle for 2 hours a day on TikTok
— Nate & Kris’ different expectations and experiences of ibogaine
— Being in the same room together during treatment
— How they are integrating their experience
— How ibogaine has influenced their creative process

Why It’s Important

As the Freedom Renegades, Nate and Kris write lyrics with the goal of uplifting and inspiring listeners, drawing on musical and spiritual influences alike to deliver a message that you won’t find on the latest Billboard chart.

Though Nate and Kris are the first guests on this show to have been in the same room together during their treatment, they had very different journeys.

Learning about their experiences with ibogaine provides insight into how distinctly personal an experience with this medicine can be, and how one’s creative process might be influenced by a deep psychedelic journey.


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Gary Katz: How to Identify and Treat Sex Addiction

Certified sex addiction therapist Gary Katz is back for a second episode following a recent men’s retreat at Beond.

Gary is the founder for the Center for Intimacy Recovery in New York. He has been trained in a variety of modalities including sensorimotor psychotherapy and EMDR.

Gary joins us again to dive back into the subject of sex addiction, this time answering questions we didn’t get to cover in our last discussion, and discussing the retreat for men suffering from sex addiction.



What we discuss:

— Why Gary decided to become a sex therapist after 20 years in education
— Self-awareness: What are the signs that one’s sexual behaviors are becoming problematic?
— Denial as a result of shame and guilt
— The first line of treatment
— Talk therapy: How effective is it? Where does it lack?
— Men’s retreat: Why six men joined Gary at Beond in May
— Feedback post-ibogaine treatment
— The importance of preparation and integration

Why it’s important:

Where much of Gary’s last appearance on the show was dedicated to unpacking the “what” and “why” of sex addiction, this episode speaks to the “how”: how to identify it, and how to treat it.

Gary discusses the experience of witnessing six men dealing with different levels of compulsive or destructive sexual or intimate behaviors, who traveled to Beond to receive ibogaine treatment and engage in twice-daily group therapy sessions. How did they come to a place of feeling better?

Gary highlights the importance of honesty, accountability, preparation, and integration, and reminds us that when it comes to using psychedelics or engaging in healing work of any kind, we’re all starting at different places and moving at different paces.



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Tom Feegel: Beond CEO and Client #1

Tom Feegel is an entrepreneur, founder and the CEO of Beond. When he and his partner Talia Eisenberg, who we’ve had on the show before, co-founded Beond in early 2022, Tom was the first person to undergo treatment. Since then, he’s witnessed thousands of ibogaine treatments under an ever-improving set of protocols and standards.

What we discuss:

— Three unique characteristics of ibogaine when compared to other psychedelics
— What “the intellectual’s psychedelic” means
— How Tom knew he was ready for ibogaine
— Unpacking Tom’s life review on ibogaine
— How Tom’s ibogaine experience – and all other subsequent treatments – have informed Beond’s treatment process
— The importance of preparation and integration
— Tom’s vital spiritual practices
— Reflecting on growth and looking ahead to emerging research

Why it’s important:

Tom offers a unique perspective – not just on Beond itself, but on the experience of ibogaine. Combined with his personal experience, the sheer volume of transformations he’s been able to witness provide him with an intimate understanding of how much has changed and improved in the nearly three years that Beond has been in operation.

As he describes it, the team’s focus is not on being the best, but on “being the best at getting better.” Tom speaks from his heart, offering reflections on his own experience with ibogaine, spirituality, and fatherhood – and reminding us of some valuable life lessons that can only be taught by children.



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Vinessa Antoine: When Support Becomes Self-Discovery

Vinessa Antoine is an award-winning actress, filmmaker and writer. She has played roles in various Canadian and American television shows including The Resident, Interrogation, Ginny & Georgia, Heartland, and Being Erica.

In 2018, Vinessa made history by becoming the first black Canadian person to lead a dramatic show in Canada.

She recently finished shooting another leading role in the dramatic series Plan B, scheduled to air in fall of 2024.

She is currently working on a groundbreaking documentary series that challenges viewers to unlearn conventional wisdom, embrace change, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth.

What we discuss:

— Vinessa’s primary motivation for seeking out ibogaine treatment
— Expectations of the ibogaine journey
— The visual experience: what Vinessa was shown by ibogaine
— What it was like to share the experience with a family member
— Life pre-ibogaine vs. life now: impact on career, family, motherhood
— Vinessa’s experience with the healing and wellness space
— Red flags in the wellness industry
— Vainessa’s upcoming docuseries: what to expect

Why it’s important:

Vinessa experienced ibogaine treatment at Beond a few months ago, and was primarily motivated to go to supper her brother, who was seeking help with substance use. Her journey proved to be about much more than supporting her brother.

Vinessa reflects on her experience, describing the intense visual journey she was taken on by ibogaine and the lessons she learned about herself along the way.

She also explains how her treatment has impacted a docuseries that aims to inspire a movement for change and empower individuals to take charge of their own lives.



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Dr. Dalibor Sames: Why We Need Ibogaine Analogues

Dr. Dalibor Sames is a professor of chemistry at Columbia University, where he runs an independent research program dedicated to studying and developing drugs that induce neuroplasticity.

After developing what he describes as “aesthetic admiration” for the molecular structure of ibogaine, Dr. Sames began studying ibogaine and iboga alkaloids, and soon after went on to develop ibogaine analogues as novel therapeutics.

He is working to develop these drugs further as the co-founder of two start-up pharmaceutical companies, Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals (which recently signed a deal to collaborate with AbbVie) and KURES.

What we discuss:

— Dr. Sames’ aesthetic admiration for ibogaine
— “New chemical entities:” Why create analogs to ibogaine? Do we need them?
— The unique molecular structure of ibogaine
— Ibogaine’s mechanism of action: how it compares to other psychedelics
— How small changes in the structure of ibogaine lead to significant differences in its pharmacology
— Oxa-ibogaine: potential safety and efficacy
— Ibogaine as a teacher and gate opener
— Collaborating with big pharma: Is ‘the trip’ necessary?

Why it’s important:

For as long as psychedelic drugs have re-entered the mainstream, the question has been posed: why spend time and money developing alternatives to psychedelics when we can spend that time and money studying the ones we already use? (It’s a question the host of our show has asked herself many times.)

In this episode, Dr. Dalibor Sames makes a great case for developing ibogaine analogues, especially with regard to the cardiac risks associated with the drug. Dr. Sames also describes ibogaine in a way we haven’t heard before on this show, detailing the many complexities of the molecule and explaining how a simple change to its structure (such as swapping its nitrogen indole for oxygen) can have a massive impact on its effects.

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Gary Katz: Ibogaine for Sex Addiction and Betrayal Trauma

Gary Katz is a certified sex addiction therapist and a certified partner trauma therapist, as well as the founder for the Center for Intimacy Recovery in New York. He has been trained in a variety of modalities including sensorimotor psychotherapy and EMDR. Prior to opening the Center for Intimacy Recovery, Gary worked in education for more than 20 years. He is also an ordained rabbi.

Gary joins us on to discuss sex addiction, betrayal trauma, and the potential that ibogaine has to heal people on both ends of the spectrum.

What we discuss:

— What is sex addiction?
— What it’s like to live with compulsive sexual behavior
— ‘Rock Bottom’ when you’re struggling with sex addiction
— Gary’s personal experience with ibogaine
— What makes ibogaine interesting from a therapist’s perspective?
— Defining betrayal trauma
—Working with betrayal trauma: how it differs from working with people dealing with compulsive sexual behavior
— How ibogaine helped a group of women suffering from betrayal trauma
— Treatment options: Standard of care vs. ibogaine

Why it’s important:

This is the first episode of Ibogaine Uncovered in which we discuss a very real (and incredibly misunderstood) maladaptive coping mechanism: compulsive sexual behavior (also known as sex addiction). While this topic may not get as much coverage as substance or alcohol use disorder, an estimated 3-6% of Americans struggle with it everyday.

Gary Katz explains what the spectrum of compulsive sexual behavior can look like, how compulsive sexual behavior can lead to betrayal trauma, and the role ibogaine can play in helping both those with compulsive sexual behaviors and those who have experienced betrayal.



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Kevin Franciotti: Can You Use Psychedelics in Recovery?

Kevin Franciotti is a co-founder and the board president of Psychedelics in Recovery (PIR), a fellowship of people in 12-step programs who also have an interest in psychedelics as an aid to their recovery.

Kevin has been involved in drug policy advocacy, mental health training and education, and a provider of therapeutic services for 16 years.

What we discuss:

— How PIR differs from traditional recovery programs
— The origins of PIR
— Who can join PIR?
— Kevin’s personal connection to PIR
— Where the idea of using psychedelics in conjunction with recovery originated
— What does a PIR meeting look like?Do members of PIR take part in AA/NA?
— Common criticisms of PIR
— Does using psychedelics in recovery impact one’s risk for relapse?
— The story of PIR’s membership growth
— Why has the idea of using psychedelics in recovery become so popular?
— Is PIR harm reduction?
— How PIR fits in with other organizations in the recovery and psychedelics spaces

Why it’s important:

For some, the idea of using psychedelics while recovering from an addiction to another substance or behavior might seem counterintuitive.

Kevin Franciotti makes the case for Psychedelics in Recovery (both the fellowship and the concept), using his own journey as a backdrop. Kevin is also realistic about the fellowship: while PIR certainly fits the definition of harm reduction, using psychedelics in recovery does not come without the risk of relapse.

The dramatic growth of PIR during and after the Covid-19 pandemic illustrates that although it is beyond time to embrace alternatives to traditional recovery programs, many people still see incredible value in the 12-step framework.



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Tommy Aceto: Turning Pain into Passion

Tommy Aceto is a former US Navy Seal and intelligence officer, a father, a breakthrough therapies advocate, a writer and director, a life coach and retreat coordinator, and veteran mental health chief officer at the Give to Give Foundation.

Tommy served as a US Navy Seal for 16 years, deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and the Pacific Islands, and eventually becoming a basic underwater demolition Seal instructor where he developed training curriculums for close quarter combat, combat diving, and more.

Tommy credits ibogaine for helping him overcome PTSD, traumatic brain injury and alcoholism and is committed to spreading the word about psychedelic medicine to others in need.

What we discuss:

— Who was Tommy Aceto before ibogaine?

— The mental health treatment options available to veterans after their service

— What it’s like to witness transformation in other vets as a retreat coordinator and psychedelic integration coach

— Other valuable tools that have been a part of Tommy’s healing journey

— The inspiration behind Tommy’s Instagram handle, flowstatefrogman

— The value of movement, sport, and physical challenges in the context of mental health

— Unpacking the statement, “be careful of your belief systems because they are your biggest limiting factor”

— What it means to “take your pain and turn it into passion,” and how Tommy is pursuing his passion through storytelling

— Tommy’s message to politicians who insist on denying the power of psychedelics, and the work he’s doing for veterans in Washington, DC

Why it’s important:

I first caught wind of Tommy’s profound experience with ibogaine when he testified in front of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commision in September of 2023. His story of resilience was one I knew we had to feature on Ibogaine Uncovered.

Tommy’s transition from traumatized veteran to proud breakthrough therapies advocate and mental health ally is a true testament to the power of ibogaine – a drug that remains illegal in the United States despite mounting evidence that it could improve the lives of millions of Americans who suffer from opioid dependence, alcoholism, PTSD, TBI, and more.

Relevant Links:

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Anthony Esposito and Amber Antonelli: How Intense is Iboga Really?

Anthony Esposito and Amber Antonelli are the co-founders of Awaken Your Soul, an iboga retreat center in Costa Rica. Both Anthony and Amber are Bwiti initiates and iboga providers who have been working with the medicine for quite some time – over a decade for Anthony and about eight years for Amber. Amber also serves as chief of the village at the center, which is situated on nearly 100 acres of lush jungle.

What we discuss:

— The reputation of iboga as intense: is this a well-earned reputation, or is there more to it?

— Different factors that influence the intensity of an iboga experience: dose, set and setting, facilitation, and resistance

— The importance of being trauma-informed – and what that really means

— The energy of iboga: masculine, feminine, or both?

— The shifting spiritual awareness of people who are seeking out iboga

— Who makes a good candidate for an iboga retreat?

— How the iboga experience differs from the ibogaine experience (how the medicine is administered, set and setting, music, and more)

— How to deal with resistance when it arises in guests

— Lessons from the medicine, from Gabon to Costa Rica

Why it’s important:

Iboga is often described as “intense” – this is why many refer to it as the “Mount Everest” of psychedelics. As Anthony and Amber explain, while there are certainly elements of an iboga experience that can be quite intense, there are several factors that can impact that intensity.

We hear that when it comes to iboga, a small dose goes a long way, and that feelings of resistance can actually turn up the intensity dial significantly.

Anthony and Amber dive into some of the key differences between iboga and ibogaine, not just in the way that they are administered, but also when it comes to why someone may seek out one over the other.

They hone in on the importance of meeting people where they are at, wherever that might be on their journey – even if it’s deep in a state of resistance – and share vulnerable moments from their own path as Bwiti initiates and iboga providers.

Relevant Links:

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Joshua White: Peer Support in Psychedelic Therapy

Joshua White is a lawyer, peer support advocate, psychedelic researcher, and the founder and executive director of Fireside Project. He believes in the power of peer support and the role of support lines like Fireside Project as foundational components of an equitable mental health ecosystem.

Joshua joins Ibogaine Uncovered to discuss the role and value of non-clinical support in the psychedelic space, and to share about his recent ibogaine experience at Beond.

What we discuss:

— How Joshua’s experience with the Zendo Project and Safe and Sound’s Talk Line for Parents informed the creation of Fireside Project

— What volunteer experience taught him about the value of peer support

— Is the emphasis on therapists in the psychedelic space problematic?

— The role of non-clinical support (including coaches and peer support) in the psychedelic space

— Essential ingredients for building a safe psychedelic container, from a peer’s perspective

— Key questions to ask when looking for a psychedelic facilitator, why it’s important to be thorough when making your selection

— How practitioners can maintain healthy relationships with their clients/peers

— The intersection of medicalization and spirituality within the ibogaine experience: is it possible to have a transformative experience in a hospital bed?

— The role of peer support in making psychedelic treatment more accessible, particularly to BIPOC and vulnerable populations

—  What the future of ibogaine treatment could look like if scaled

Why it’s important:

As more people look to psychedelic medicines to improve their health and well-being, it’s clear that a model that requires two therapists to sit with every individual receiving psychedelic therapy is not scalable.

Joshua underscores the need for more non-clinical support in the psychedelic realm, including coaches and peer supporters like the ones at Fireside Project. Not only is peer support more accessible, he suggests it may also offer a psychedelic journeyer more of what they need before and after a transformative experience, especially depending on a peer’s familiarity with psychedelics.

As Josh experienced during his time at Beond, having the right support, whether clinical or not, helps create a safe container for a psychedelic journey – whether that journey takes place in the Amazon, or in a hospital bed at an ibogaine treatment center in Cancun.

Relevant Links:

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