- Bella Shing
Award-Winning Writer, Director, & Founder of SweeterMedia.com
![]()
Two lovers. One shocking drug relapse - after more than a decade clean.
Then the disheartening discovery: 90% of narcotics addicts relapse in the first year in our Western Medical system.
The lovers navigate the treacherous labyrinth of addiction and ultimately chose to pursue treatment with an obscure indigenous African sacred plant medicine called iboga, used since ancient times for spiritual healing and proven to have powerful addiction breaking effects. It sounds too good to be true, but it's seems to be worth the try, considering the alternatives.
This medicine is only available well beyond the borders of the United States. There is hope for healing, if they can both make it to the shaman in time.
•
Explore E. Bast's blog post about their experience.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Read about HEART MEDICINE: A True Love Story in...
![]()
![]()
"...That night of his confession I realized; this heroin demon, stealthy and devious, had stayed hidden and sleeping inside him for 13 years, whispering to his unconscious all the while, biding it’s time, waiting for a weak moment and the right company, waiting for it’s friend alcohol to wear him down and leave him on it’s dark doorstep. "
The complete 1st chapter is freely offered on the author's website HERE.
![]()
Elizabeth Bast serves as a writer, poet, yoga teacher, yogic life-style coach, visual & performance artist, fusion temple dancer, and musician. She studied at New College of San Francisco with an emphasis on Art and Social Change. ebast.net
Chor Boogie a.k.a. Joaquin Lamar Hailey is an internationally acclaimed spray-paint artist. His visionary murals and art exhibitions have graced many countries across the globe. He was recently honored by Societe Perrier as being number three among the the TOP TEN U.S. Street Artists of 2014. He approaches his use of color as a form of therapy and visual medicine, and has been dubbed “the color shaman” by comrades and fans. chorboogie.com
Elizabeth & Chor now also serve as educators and advocates for the iboga medicine by sharing their healing journey.
![]()
This professional quality book will help to educate people about iboga as a viable option for holistic addiction treatment as well as for spiritual healing, and how to approach this sacred medicine with care and respect for safety and efficacy.
Though Iboga is regarded as a national treasure in Gabon, it is currently illegal in United States. We are not advocating for illegal use. We are simply sharing our story, as is protected by free speech, and we are advocating for it's legal use in countries where this medicine is protected by qualified traditional providers.
In addition, this is true love story reveals how a couple can survive incredible obstacles with the aid of love, intuition, and the greater force of Grace… while falling ever deeper in love.
These alarming statistics show the need for new treatment options:
In 2012, 183,000 drug related deaths occurred globally, mostly overdoses, with opioid overdose being the largest category. (The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC] 2012 World Drug Report)
Drug overdose death rates in the U.S. have been steadily rising since 1992 with a 118% increase from 1999 to 2011 alone. (Center for Disease Control & Prevention)
Methadone treatment and other kinds of "drug replacement therapies" can last between 1 year to 20 years or more. These legal drugs are known to be as toxic and addictive as street heroin, Though they are more stable than street drugs and can sometimes alleviate dangers associated with the black market.
Iboga research has been increasing in recent years. For instance, MAPS-sponsored researchers are collecting observational data for the first prospective ibogaine outcome studies in order to contribute to the growing scientific literature about ibogaine as a treatment for drug addiction.
![]()
Traditional publishing can be unduly challenging, time consuming, and creatively compromising for newer authors, and this uncensored story needs to be shared with as many people as possible as soon as possible. We don't want this story to be sitting on desks indefinitely.
Traditional publishing rarely offers substantial advances or promotional budgets to newer authors. We would like to take the helm of the book's production, promotions, and distribution, and give it the attention and resources it needs to thrive.
We are forming a new independent press complete with a professional team that will properly support this book, in addition to other conscious media projects.
Here is an excellent article detailing the rise in success for "indie" publishers.
![]()
BOOK PRODUCTION & BOOK PROMOTION:
• Copy-Editor: Stephanie Pascal
• Book Designer: Mark Weiman of Regent Press
• Publicity & Marketing: Green Galactic
• Publishing Services: Ingram Spark
• Distribution to Reviewers
• Book Tour & Promotional Events
• Advertising
• Video
• Graphic Design
• Hard Cost of Campaign Perks & Shipping
• Establishing our Independent Publishing House: Medicinal Media
TAXES & FEES:
4-9% of final funding goes directly to crowd-funding platform.
Taxes will be paid on all proceeds.
![]()
Heart Medicine - the book! Be the first to read it in E-Book format or enjoy the first-run limited edition signed hardcover - or both!
Enjoy "The Love Dance," Chor's first iboga inspired work of fine art, as postcards and also as signed high quality Giclée prints on archival canvas - at special prices only available through this campaign. 3 different sizes are available. Certificate of authenticity is included. *The original piece is not available through this campaign. Please inquire for details.
"Light Orange" is an original post-iboga painting by Chor Boogie:
30" x 40" spray-paint on archival canvas.
Experience a 6 hour private spray-paint fine art mentoring session for TWO GUESTS with Chor Boogie, one of the top spray-paint artists in the U.S., according to critics. This option comes a healthy catered vegan lunch + 2 Deluxe Perk Packages! (San Francisco Bay Area) ![]()
Experience a 6 hour personalized
YOGA + MEDITATION day retreat for TWO GUESTS with
Elizabeth Bast. This option comes a healthy catered vegan lunch + 2 Deluxe Perk Packages! (San Francisco Bay Area)
Receive special rewards JUST for referring donors to our cause!
*These perks can ONLY be acquired through generating referrals!
Read
this page to learn how you can set up your IndieGogo account to
participate in our Referral Rewards. Start sharing our campaign from your dashboard to begin accumulating referral points. Accounting will be automatic.
•
Refer friends to donate a total of $100 to our campaign (can be from multiple people) and receive a pack of 10 greeting cards featuring this "Boogie Bird" design by Chor Boogie + a personalized note of thanks + the E-BOOK!
Inside you will find the ONE PRAYER of our Africa Bwiti tribe:
"THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY!" ![]()
![]()
Check for new videos in our video gallery. Send us your questions about our healing experience with iboga to heart medicine.info@gmail.com.
•
...Stay tuned! As the campaign gets rolling, we may be able to add more perks, and prizes! SEE the UPDATES tab on our campaign above!
•
Yes!
We made it to Africa! At the time of shooting our video in early winter 2014, it was still just a dream. We were blessed to experience the sacred iboga medicine in vibrant traditional Bwiti ceremonies with Moughenda's tribe. We were also blessed with a traditional wedding ceremony. See more pics from our Africa adventure
HERE.
![]()
Special thanks goes out to our amazing
community & media partners! ![]()
![]()
Special thanks goes out to
Elizabeth's awesome Mother who is the most soulful and meticulous literary critic ever. Many thanks to the families of both Elizabeth & Chor (especially Doug & Esther!) who have been a profound support throughout this intense journey.
Special thanks also goes out to Mopunga, Julia, Michael, Ann-Mari, Bella Shing, Anandha Ray, Mara Altman, Kat PK, Polly "Superstar" Whittaker, Marco, Shamana Ma & Patrick Riley of holylove.tv alistcalendar.com, Jeff Cook, Gary Cook, Laura Cirolia, Gina Marie, Ewa Dauter, Shamani, Ton Ton, Lizzie Easton-Montes, Oscar "Trek6" Montes, Justin Hamel, Beth Johnson, Julian Reyes of keyframe-entertainment.com, Philip Milic of oldcrowtattoo.com, Debra Giusti of DebraRecommends.com, Magenta Ceiba of evolver.net, Amber Lyon & April at Reset.me, Syd Gris, Jonathan Dickinson, Brad Burge, & the good people at Focus@Will, a music program that helped the author focus beyond what she could have imagined, & the many amazing friends and angels along the way!