Episode 690: The Science and Spirituality of Plant Medicine with Dr. Jeff McNairy

Aug 20, 2025

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What really happens in your brain during an ayahuasca ceremony? I’m talking with Dr. Jeff McNairy, Chief Medical Officer and co-founder of Rhythmia Life Advancement Center in Costa Rica, about the science, the spiritual side, and how plant medicine can support deep healing, if it’s right for you.

Psychedelic therapy isn’t for everyone, and I get that. But when the soulful, spiritual side of healing meets actual neuroscience, I’m all in. At the end of the day, it’s about your health, your healing, and knowing all of the options available to you. Plant medicine is something I’ve been exploring, and it’s been profoundly helpful in my own growth. That’s why I’m bringing you this conversation with Dr. Jeff.

We get into how trauma gets stored in the body, what’s really going on in your brain during ayahuasca, and why it’s not a cure-all (and not for everyone).

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

How untreated trauma gets stored in the amygdala and shows up as anxiety and why our “push through it” culture makes it worse (7:38)
Dr. Jeff’s path from running rehab and psychiatric programs in LA to working with plant medicine in Costa Rica (16:19)
Why ayahuasca isn’t for everyone, what to consider before trying it, and how to know if you feel “called” (22:14)
The neurochemistry of ayahuasca: what DMT does in your brain and how it can help release trauma (27:31)
Common results Dr. Jeff sees at Rhythmia: from reduced anxiety and depression to long-term emotional shifts (49:26)
My own “double reaction” during ceremony and Dr. Jeff’s take on what was happening physically and spiritually (56:56)

Resources from this episode:✨Interested in a future Rythmia Ayahuasca retreat with me? Drop a DM on Instagram @heyandreaowen or email support[at]andreaowen.com with the subject line “AYA Interested” to be added to the interest list!

My Ketamine Therapy Journey secret podcast series Rythmia Retreat

Andrea on Instagram @heyandreaowen

Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!

MSN is supported by: We love the sponsors that make our show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: andreaowen.com/sponsors/

Episode link: https://andreaowen.com/podcast/690

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