E92: Beyond the Ceremony with Dave Gallagher – Ayahuasca, Trauma and the Science of Healing

Guest: Dave Gallagher
Released: 19 October 2026
Themes: Psychedelic-assisted therapy · Ayahuasca and trauma healing · PTSD and mental health · Psychedelic research and neuroscience · Psychedelic safety, harm reduction and integration

Ayahuasca gets talked about like a quick fix, but the reality is messier, harder, and a lot more interesting. We sit down in the studio with psychologist and researcher Dave Gallagher to dig into what plant medicine retreats in Peru and Colombia actually look like when the goal is trauma healing, not a “trip.” Building on the conversation around childhood trauma and lived experience, we explore why veterans with PTSD and athletes from combat sports often share the same hidden wound, and why identity can unravel when the structure of service or competition disappears.

Dave walks us through the science that’s finally catching up: psychedelic research history, brain imaging, and what the default mode network can tell us about the “autobiography of self.” We talk about integration as the real work, including a practical rule that can save people from impulsive decisions after a powerful ceremony: wait 30 days before you blow up your life. We also get honest about the risks, from re-living trauma to the need for real screening, real support, and a safe set and setting, especially for anyone on SSRIs or with a predisposition to psychosis.

We also go behind the scenes on what researchers measure on these programs, from depression and quality-of-life scores to EEG, cognitive testing, inflammation markers, epigenetics, and the gut microbiome. If you’re curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD, complex trauma, concussion, or traumatic brain injury, this is a grounded conversation that takes both hope and harm seriously. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review with your biggest question about psychedelics and healing.