Carl Jung

Carl Jung is one of the most important figures in the field of psychology. Unlike his peer and onetime mentor, Sigmund Freud, his theories and practices have stood the test of time and remain cornerstones of psychology broadly. Jung’s central concept is the idea of individuation, which he defined as:

In general, [individuation] is the process by which individual beings are formed and differentiated [from other human beings]; in particular, it is the development of the psychological individual as a being distinct from the general, collective psychology.— Carl Jung

A flood dose of Ibogaine, administered in a supervised clinical setting (as offered at Baja Ibogaine), is a tool that enables a person to pursue the work of individuation. The task at hand is monumental, it does not simply occur because a person takes Ibogaine and sits back.

Headshot of Carl Jung

Default Mode Network

Instead, there is a well-documented protocol that can be used by patients receiving a flood dose of Ibogaine which will help them pursue individuation. The mechanism, at a surface level, is not actually too complex. When a person ingests Ibogaine, the chemical compound gets to work quieting what is known as the default mode network. The default mode network, in a general sense, is a series of interacting brain regions that constitute the self.

The default mode network is active when an individual is thinking about others, thinking about themselves, remembering the past, and planning for the future. When the volume on the default mode network is reduced, as it is when taking Ibogaine (and other psychedelics) individuals experience an altered state of consciousness.

Jungian therapy, sometimes known as Jungian analysis, is an in-depth, analytical form of talk therapy designed to bring together the conscious and unconscious parts of the mind to help a person feel balanced and whole. Jungian therapy calls for clients to delve into the deeper and often darker elements of their mind and look at the “real” self rather than the self they present to the outside world.Psychology Today

A flood dose of Ibogaine is capable of achieving what Jungian Analysis works to unlock. This is not to say that therapy, with a licensed therapist, both before and after is unnecessary, quite the contrary. It is possible for Ibogaine to unlock the deep recesses of the unconscious, but doing so requires extensive integration, which experienced therapists can help with.

Confront The Shadow

When we quiet the default mode network, our unconscious comes into view. What we then see is often emotionally painful, but this is the point. In order to experience personal growth and achieve balance, confronting our shadow (our unconscious), as Jung called it, is essential.

Man with Red Balloons Illustrating Individuation

Taking a flood dose of Ibogaine gives us a brief period in which our shadow is laid bare before us. What we then do with this revelation is up to the individual. For some individuals, visiting with their shadow can help them to identify the why of certain behaviors.

In the case of maladaptive behaviors, like addiction, this can be seen as a form of “getting to the root of the addiction.” Other conditions like depression and anxiety can also be helped, because beyond the chemical imbalances, there often lies a deeper cause, an unconscious belief that we have internalized.

Journey Toward Individuation

Jung believed that the first stage of individuation centered around “the experience of the shadow.” That is, he believed that progress toward individuation could be achieved only once the shadow came into focus. Ibogaine is the perfect tool to help us see our shadow. The “life review” experience that many recount having while being treated with Ibogaine, gives us an invaluable glimpse of our shadow.

The work only truly begins in the aftermath. Having gotten a glimpse of their shadow, the individual must then embark upon the work that comes after. Catching glimpse of the unconscious is essential to the process of individuation, but it is only the beginning.

I will try to explain the term “individuation” as simply as possible. By it I mean the psychological process that makes of a human being an “individual” — a unique, indivisible unit or “whole man.”— Carl Jung

Carl Jung and The Individuation Process

If you are prepared to do the work, we at Baja Ibogaine stand ready to facilitate a safe Ibogaine treatment in our state-of-the-art hospital. If you come prepared and open-minded, your shadow will present itself to you and you will have the opportunity to change the trajectory of your life by pursuing what Jung calls individuation.