Martie S. Underwood

PhD Student

Biography

Martie holds an MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology as well as a Diploma in Herbal Medicine. She is currently studying towards her Ph.D. with the psychedelic substance Ibogaine as her research topic. She owns and operates Magalies Wellness Centre – an ibogaine treatment centre in South Africa – where she helps clients to identify the issues that disrupt physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The centre primarily works with substance use disorders and psychological disorders, but also facilitates treatment for psycho-spiritual development. Martie is a Bioenergy, Advanced Reiki and Shamanic practitioner, and also serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Iboga Therapy Alliance.

PhD research

The aim of Martie’s Ph.D. study is to explore various aspects associated with ibogaine-assisted therapy. This includes an immersive understanding of the ibogaine treatment landscape and the specific state of consciousness associated with the ibogaine journey. In addition, her research explores the impact of ibogaine-assisted treatment on the narrative self and its potential for the treatment of certain psychological disorders. Lastly, Martie plans to devise and articulate much-needed psychological integration tools for ibogaine-assisted therapy.

Publications

Underwood, M. S., Bright, S. J., & Lancaster, B. L. (2021). A narrative review of the pharmacological, cultural and psychological literature on ibogaine. Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 5(1), 44-54. https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2021.00152