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Health

Ibogaine – The Promise, the Protocol, and Protecting the Sacred

May 6, 2025
Featuring: Talia Eisenberg, Tom Feal, Dr. Lola “Dr. O” Hoba, Kevin Franciotti

Aspen Psychedelic Symposium 2024 – Hosted by Kevin Franciotti

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Aspen Psychedelic Symposium 2024 – Hosted by Kevin Franciotti

This panel explores the healing power of Ibogaine, a powerful plant medicine used for addiction recovery and spiritual growth. Moderator Kevin Franciotti leads a thoughtful conversation with Talia Eisenberg, Tom Feegel, and Dr. Lola “Dr. O” Hoba. Together, they cover personal healing, clinical safety, and the need to protect traditional knowledge.

Healing Stories and New Paths

Talia Eisenberg shares how a single Ibogaine experience helped her break free from opioid addiction. That moment inspired her to co-found BEOND Ibogaine, a treatment center in Cancun. Tom Feegel, her husband and co-founder, explains how his own recovery journey led him to help build a safe, medical space for others to heal. Their stories show how Ibogaine can open a path to deep personal transformation.

How the Medicine Works

Dr. Lola Hoba blends Western science with her Yoruba heritage. She explains that Ibogaine works across several brain systems, reducing cravings and supporting lasting recovery. Unlike other psychedelics, it also carries medical risks. For this reason, Dr. Hoba urges proper medical screening and trained facilitation. She adds that spiritual respect is just as important as science.

Safety, Structure, and Care

At BEOND, safety comes first. Patients go through detailed screening and are supported by ICU-trained doctors and nurses. Each experience is closely monitored, ensuring both physical and emotional care. This approach combines hospital-level safety with the warmth of a retreat. According to Tom, healing begins with love—not just medicine.

Supporting the Source

Iboga comes from Central Africa and grows slowly. Unfortunately, growing demand has led to poaching. To give back, BEOND partners with Blessings of the Forest, a nonprofit in Gabon that protects Indigenous access and wild plant populations. As Ibogaine use grows, the panel stresses the importance of honoring the cultures that have carried this wisdom for generations.

Looking Ahead

Ibogaine shows strong potential for treating addiction, PTSD, and depression. However, U.S. access remains limited due to medical risks and legal hurdles. Even so, hope is growing. The panel calls for responsible expansion, better aftercare, and policies that prioritize both science and justice.

Thanks to Aspen Public Radio, Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center, Healing Advocacy Fund and Aspen Psychedelic Symposium for allowing us to share this podcast.

A full agenda from the symposium can be found here.

Ibogaine – The Promise, the Protocol, and Protecting the Sacred

Talia Eisenberg, Tom Feal, Dr. Lola “Dr. O” Hoba, Kevin Franciotti

Talia Eisenberg is the co-founder of BEOND Ibogaine, a medically supported treatment center in Cancun, Mexico. A former art gallery owner, her personal recovery from opioid addiction through ibogaine inspired her to help others access safe and transformative care.

Tom Feegel is CEO and co-founder of BEOND Ibogaine. After healing from childhood trauma and addiction, he now leads clinical and operational strategy to ensure Beyond delivers compassionate, medically sound treatment.

Dr. Lola “Dr. O” Hoba is a Yoruba-born clinical pharmacist and plant medicine educator who bridges traditional African knowledge with Western science. She’s an outspoken advocate for safe, ethical use of sacred medicines.

Kevin Franciotti, the panel’s host, is an addiction recovery advocate, writer, and psychedelic-assisted therapy professional. He draws from personal experience with ibogaine in his work to support integrative approaches to healing and community.

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