Transpersonal Intersubjectivity in Ibogaine Experiences: Three cases

Three individuals who took iboga or ibogaine for different reasons each reported a distinct sense of transpersonal communication—either with the substance itself or with visions of other people during the dreamlike experience. Narrative analysis linked these reports to previously identified phenomenological categories but showed wide variability. The sense of transpersonal presence resembles that described in waking REM experiences such as sleep paralysis. For these individuals, a feeling of transpersonal intersubjectivity contributed to the experiences seeming ontologically real and meaningful. Closer engagement with such narrative reports may guide future research and ibogaine-assisted therapies.

Study at a glance

Abstract

ABSTRACT This report presents the personal experiences of three individuals who ingested iboga or ibogaine in different contexts and for different reasons. Narrative analysis reveals a connection with previously identified phenomenological categories of experience, however demonstrating a wide variability. Most notably, each of these interviewees reported a distinct impression of transpersonal communication, either with “iboga/ine” or with visions of others encountered in the oneirogenic experience. This relates with a sense of transpersonal presence that is mentioned elsewhere in literature describing waking REM experiences, such as sleep paralysis. Within these cases, a sense of transpersonal intersubjectivity appears to contribute a sense of ontological realism and meaningfulness of the experiences. Similar deep engagement with narrative reports may better inform future research, as well as ibogaine‐assisted therapies.