The Psychedelic Psychiatrist

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In this episode of The Psychedelic Psychiatrist, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo sits down with journalist and author John O'Connor to explore the strange history behind one of the most influential stories in psychedelic culture.

O'Connor's new book, A Short, Strange Trip: An Untold Story of Magic Mushrooms, Madness, and a Search for the Meaning of Life in the Amazon, retraces a legendary 1971 expedition into the Colombian Amazon involving Terence McKenna, his brother Dennis, and a small group of fellow psychonauts.

What happened there—and the stories that emerged from it—would help shape McKenna into one of the most influential voices in modern psychedelic culture.

John traveled back to the Amazon himself, using decades-old field notes, new interviews, and encounters with Indigenous people to investigate what actually happened at La Chorrera—and how an extraordinary psychedelic experience evolved into something much larger.

Juan Pablo and John discuss Terence McKenna, psychedelic mythology, skepticism, Indigenous perspectives, the line between profound experience and interpretation, and how the stories inherited from psychedelic counterculture continue to influence today's psychedelic renaissance.

About John O'Connor

John O'Connor is a journalist and author whose work has appeared in The New York Times, GQ, Financial Times Magazine, Men's Journal, Oxford American, and The Boston Globe. He is also the author of The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster and teaches journalism at Boston College.

Connect with John

Website:

https://www.johnmoconnor.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/centerforhighenergymetaphysics/

Book:

A Short, Strange Trip: An Untold Story of Magic Mushrooms, Madness, and a Search for the Meaning of Life in the Amazon

Sourcebooks, 2026

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In this episode of The Psychedelic Psychiatrist, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo sits down with Arlyn, a sound therapist and energy worker and the creatrix of Awaken Spanda.

With over 20 years of experience in the holistic space, Arlyn’s work centers on helping individuals connect with their own inner resonance through sound, breath, and intentional ceremony. Her approach blends sound therapy, energy work, and guided inner exploration to support emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and deeper states of awareness.

Together, they explore what sound healing actually is, what may be happening in the body and mind during these experiences, and how sound can serve as a pathway into the inner world. The conversation bridges ancient practices with modern mental health perspectives, including how sound work may support trauma healing and complement modalities like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

Whether you’re curious, skeptical, or already familiar with this work, this episode offers a grounded and thoughtful exploration of how sound can influence healing and consciousness.

  In This Episode, We Cover:

• What “sound healing” actually means in practice
• How sound may interact with the nervous system
• What people experience during a sound ceremony
• The role of sound in emotional release and trauma work
• Creating safety in non-traditional healing spaces
• Parallels between sound healing and psychedelic therapy
• Sound as a gateway into the inner world and self-awareness
• How to begin working with sound in your own life
• 
  

🎶 Arlyn’s Music — VOICE OF SOPHIA

Arlyn is releasing an EP titled VOICE OF SOPHIA, a collection of sound-based compositions that reflect her work with voice, resonance, and consciousness.

Listen and support her music here:

👉 https://awakenspanda.bandcamp.com/

  Learn More About Arlyn

Explore her work, offerings, and upcoming sound ceremonies:

👉 https://www.awakenspanda.com/

Her offerings include immersive sound ceremonies, breathwork-integrated sessions, and private or group experiences designed to support emotional, mental, and physical integration.

Come visit our website for more information: Innerbloom 

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In this episode of The Psychedelic Psychiatrist, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo speaks with licensed acupuncturist and yoga teacher Tiffany Schaal about how ancient healing practices intersect with modern understandings of the nervous system, stress, and chronic pain.

They explore what acupuncture actually is, how it works in the body, and why so many people today feel chronically dysregulated. This conversation bridges Eastern and Western perspectives on healing — highlighting the role of the body, balance, and learning to listen inward.

In this episode:

• What acupuncture really is (beyond the needles)
• How acupuncture affects the nervous system
• Stress, anxiety, and the body connection
• Chronic pain and why it persists
• Emotional patterns held in the body
• Acupuncture for athletes and recovery
• The role of yoga, breath, and daily habits
• What it means to live in balance

About Tiffany Schaal

Tiffany is a nationally board-certified and licensed acupuncturist and registered yoga teacher. She works with individuals experiencing pain, stress, and sleep issues, and supports overall wellness, recovery, and performance through a personalized, holistic approach.

Learn more:

https://www.breatheeasywellness.com/

The Psychedelic Psychiatrist

Exploring the intersection of psychiatry, consciousness, and healing.

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** If you are a therapist in the Charleston, SC area and would like to attend a holotropic breathwork workshop with us on Feb 27 and 28th 2026, please email at [email protected] with your interest.  Thanks! 

In this episode, we explore holotropic breathwork, a powerful, non-pharmacological method for accessing non-ordinary states of consciousness.

My guest is Ashley Wile, a certified Holotropic Breathwork practitioner who has been leading groups and workshops for over three decades. Drawing from the lineage of Stanislav and Christina Grof, Ashley brings deep experience, humility, and respect for the psyche’s innate capacity for healing.

Together, we discuss what holotropic breathwork actually is, how it works, and what people commonly experience during a session. We explore who may benefit most from this work, important safety considerations, and how breathwork compares to psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

This conversation is especially relevant for anyone curious about altered states, depth psychology, trauma healing, or integration-oriented approaches that do not rely on substances.

In this episode, we cover:

• How Ashley found her way into breathwork and why the work remains meaningful after 30+ years
• The purpose and philosophy behind holotropic breathwork
• What a breathwork session is like for someone with no prior experience
• Emotional, psychological, and transpersonal benefits of the practice
• Who may benefit most from breathwork—and who should approach with caution
• Key safety considerations and contraindications
• How breathwork differs from psychedelic therapy while sometimes accessing similar states
• The importance of preparation, facilitation, and integration

Whether you’re a clinician, therapist, healer, or simply curious about consciousness and inner healing, this episode offers a grounded and nuanced look at breath as a pathway to transformation.

Come visit our website for more information: Innerbloom 

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In this episode, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo breaks down the nuanced differences between psycholytic and psychedelic dosing in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)—and why the way we dose matters for therapeutic outcomes.

You’ll learn how lower, talk-friendly doses (psycholytic) support emotional processing in real time, while higher, dissociative doses (psychedelic) offer deeper access to the unconscious. We discuss the therapeutic pros and cons of each approach, and how they can be used intentionally based on clinical goals.

In the second half, we shine a light on a growing concern in ketamine treatment: the overuse of anti-anxiety medications (like benzodiazepines) in IV ketamine clinics when clients feel distressed. Through the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), we explore the concept of experiential avoidance—how trying to numb discomfort can actually block healing—and why some of the most difficult moments in therapy are also the most meaningful.

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In this episode of The Psychedelic Psychiatrist, we dive deep into the various routes of administering ketamine in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP), from IV infusions to sublingual lozenges. We explore how each route impacts the therapeutic process, differences in bioavailability, and how the choice of administration affects both the experience and outcome.

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In this powerful episode, Dr. Juan Pablo Galindo sits down with Dr. Nicholas Powers, author of Black Psychedelic Revolution: From Trauma to Liberation, to discuss the often-overlooked relationship between psychedelics and the Black community. Dr. Powers unpacks the historical erasure of Black and Indigenous psychedelic traditions, the intersection of systemic oppression and the War on Drugs, and the radical potential of psychedelics as tools for personal and collective healing.

Together, they explore how psychedelic therapy can address intergenerational trauma, reconnect communities with their ancestral traditions, and challenge the structures that have historically marginalized Black and Brown people from these healing modalities. From historical injustices to visions of liberation, this conversation offers deep insight into how psychedelics could play a role in reshaping society and fostering true interconnectedness.

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🌿 What is the KAP Journey Really Like? 🌿

One of the most common questions we get is: What does Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) actually look like from start to finish?

✨ We’re incredibly grateful to have Jen, one of our clients, share her personal journey through KAP, giving a heartfelt glimpse into her experience.

In her words, Jen opens up about the powerful transformation she encountered, the insights gained, and the supportive care she received along the way. This conversation captures the essence of what makes KAP a unique and profound healing modality.

🙏 We want to thank Jen for her bravery, vulnerability, and willingness to share her story with us all.

If you’ve ever wondered what KAP might feel like or how it could be a part of your healing journey, stay tuned. Jen’s story might just resonate with you. 💫

If you would like to donate to Thank You Life to help others have access to this treatment I will put the link here: https://givebutter.com/innerbloom-KAP

#KetamineTherapy #KAPJourney #MentalHealthHealing #InnerbloomHealing #CourageToHeal #TransformationalTherapy #HealingWithKetamine #CharlestonMentalHealth

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In this episode we learn about the sacred plant, Iboga. 
In order to more fully understand the unique qualities of this plant I had the honor of speaking with Iboga healer, Ashana Jones.   

Ashana is a trained medicine healer, having undergone rigorous training in Africa specifically to conduct ceremonies with this powerful plant medicine. Her journey is as fascinating as it is inspiring, and today she's here to share her wisdom with us.

Get ready to expand your understanding and open your mind as we embark on this journey with Ashana.  

Curious to learn more? 
Visit: https://ibogaworks.com/

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In this episode we try to breakdown the differences between Life Coaches and Therapists.  Recently the popularity of 'Life Coaching' has increased rapidly, and we wish to educate what defines the role of a life coach and can this co-exist with therapy. 
To discuss this topic I spoke with Dr. Tala Kassm, Life Coach and physician.  It was wonderful to hear her thoughts and always great chatting with my better half .)

Additionally, we are looking into incorporating Life Coaching with Ketamine Therapy, as a way to help clients achieve goals and help change mindset. 

To learn more about Dr. Tala's work visit:  https://www.doctortala.com/

To learn more about life coaching with Ketamine visit: https://www.innerbloomhealingarts.com/lifecoach

Come visit our website for more information: Innerbloom