For centuries, religious devotees have eaten Iboga, a psychotropic shrub that users say has addiction-fighting powers. It fascinates foreign visitors, psychiatric patients and pharmaceutical companies that want to market it. Iboga product exports are strictly regulated in Gabon. But some, such as microbiologist Yoan Mboussou feel the plant has huge untapped potential. "There is real leverage and potential for developing our economy, our society and the country as a whole," he says of Iboga. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES ARRANGED IN SEQUENCES N°44P28NP