36: Rooted in Healing: Iboga, Bwiti, and the Path of Transformation w/Troy Valencia

Pascal sits down with Troy Valencia to explore the world of Iboga and the Bwiti tradition.

Troy shares his own journey of initiation and healing with Iboga, offering insights into how ancient practices and modern science can come together in respectful and effective ways. He emphasizes the importance of community, sustainability, and ethics in the use of this sacred plant medicine.

We also dive into the science of Iboga and Ibogaine, their therapeutic potential, and the risks and safety considerations that must be understood.

This is a conversation about healing as both a personal and collective process—where science, spirit, and community all play a role.

🌿 Who this is for

👉 Journeyers curious about Iboga as a healing path, and what makes it distinct from other medicines

👉 Seekers who want to engage responsibly with the Bwiti lineage and support ethical, sustainable practices

👉 Anyone interested in the intersection of traditional knowledge, conservation, and modern therapeutic science

✨ Key themes

• Iboga as a powerful plant medicine with deep cultural roots
• The Bwiti lineage: community, lineage, and spiritual growth
• Sustainability and conservation: protecting Iboga’s future
• Iboga vs. Ibogaine: whole plant and single alkaloid approaches
• The role of intention, safety, and preparation in the Iboga experience
• Integration and community as the foundation of lasting transformation
• Ethical sourcing and questions to ask providers before choosing to work with them

🗣️ Notable quotes

• “The only way to really understand what the Bwiti is, is to sit in ceremony yourself. Words can’t capture the beauty and depth—it’s a way of life, a collective heartbeat.”
• “Life doesn’t just happen to you—it happens for you, with you, and eventually as you. Iboga taught me that.”
• “Community isn’t optional—it’s the soil where healing takes root and blossoms.”
• “Iboga is the rainbow. Ibogaine is just the color red.”
• “The medicine is powerful, but it’s what you do with your life afterwards that matters most.”

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Iboga and the Bwiti Tradition

03:07 – Troy’s Journey and Connection to Iboga

06:08 – Understanding the Bwiti Tradition

08:47 – Living a Bwiti Life in the Modern World

11:52 – The Earthy Connection of Iboga

14:55 – Sustainability and Conservation of Iboga

17:47 – Finding Ethical Iboga Providers

20:35 – The Science Behind Iboga and Ibogaine

29:33 – Understanding Ibogaine and Its Medical Context

31:29 – Risks and Considerations for Iboga and Ibogaine

34:08 – Navigating the Experience: Control and Intention

36:39 – The Importance of Environment and Support

39:16 – The Healing Journey: More Than Just a Quick Fix

40:12 – Psycho-Spiritual Journeys: Deep Healing Through Iboga

48:16 – Empowerment and Community in Healing

51:19 – Preparing for an Iboga Retreat

55:01 – Integration: The Key to Lasting Change

58:31 – The Role of Community in Healing