Iboga & Ibogaine Explained: Parkinson’s Research, Addiction Recovery & Neuroplasticity - STP 61

In this deep and transformative episode of the Spiritual Teachers Podcast, host Petr interviews Tobias Erny, ibogaine researcher, author, and co-director of the Iboga Alliance, to explore the powerful intersection of plant medicine, neuroscience, addiction recovery, and spiritual awakening.

Tobias shares his personal journey from a Christian upbringing and pharmaceutical career in Switzerland to struggling with opiate addiction, and ultimately discovering ibogaine as a life-changing tool for detoxification and healing. After multiple ibogaine experiences, Tobias was called to deeper work with iboga, leading to his initiation into the Disumbafang Bwiti tradition in Africa.

This conversation dives into the traditional ceremonial use of iboga, a sacred shrub from Western Equatorial Africa, used for rites of passage, spiritual initiation, and community healing. Tobias explains the difference between iboga root bark and isolated ibogaine, emphasizing the entourage effect of the full plant and its spiritual intelligence.

From a scientific perspective, Tobias explains the unique neuropharmacology of ibogaine, including:
Its ability to bind to opiate receptors
Its role in dopamine regulation
Its classification as a neuroplastogen
Its emerging potential for Parkinson’s disease treatment, including microdosing protocols
Some Parkinson’s patients have shown remarkable improvements, such as reduced gait freezing and improved quality of life, while ongoing research seeks to identify which forms of Parkinsonism respond best.

The episode also explores:
Spiritual encounters with plant intelligence
Bwiti initiation ceremonies and preparation rituals
Clearing trauma, karma, and subconscious patterns
Entity cleansing and energetic sovereignty
Aligning thoughts, words, and actions
The role of plant medicines in long-term spiritual growth
Why plant teachers eventually guide people beyond the medicine itself

Tobias emphasizes personal responsibility, sovereignty, and integration, reminding listeners that true healing happens when insights from plant medicine are embodied in everyday life.

To connect with Tobias: 
Linked in:
https://www.linkedin.com/authwall?trk=bf&trkInfo=AQFL6tQ-gHFVjQAAAZt3rcL42IGvv08sQJvKLySEI4x2e0qiVvXBBtzziL1athwMu9elmC1QeEDKs_vH74TEq1sZQ72B23wTxei93uB5RPMmZfCTXj2KrHhW2UAeEJuusFlwqc0=&original_referer=&sessionRedirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftobias-erny-38a070238%2F

Ibogaine for the treatment of Parkinson’s
disease: A case report:

https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2025.00478

https://youtu.be/tMvSV8IQsKk

Timestamps:

00:00 – Tobias Erny’s background & addiction journey
 05:30 – Discovering ibogaine for opiate withdrawal
 12:40 – Iboga vs ibogaine: plant spirit vs isolated compound
 20:10 – Bwiti ceremonies & African initiation rituals
 32:00 – Spiritual visions, timelines & thought alignment
 42:15 – Entity cleansing & energetic sovereignty
 52:30 – Ibogaine’s neuropharmacology explained
 1:02:00 – Microdosing ibogaine for Parkinson’s disease
 1:15:40 – Cultivation of iboga & global interest
 1:25:00 – Plant medicines as spiritual teachers
 1:35:00 – Integration, responsibility & daily life

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