195: Plant Medicine & Healing Through Science and Ceremony with Dr. Jeff McNairy

Our guest is Dr. Jeff McNairy Psy.D., M.P.H. a pioneer in the mental health revolution and Chief Medical Officer at Rythmia, the world’s first and only medically licensed ayahuasca retreat. Today we talk about  plant medicine, trauma recovery, and the work of building a medically guided retreat center in Costa Rica. How unresolved trauma can shape addiction and mental health, what guests can expect during a retreat, and why screening, safety, and integration matter.

In this episode:

• Dr. McNairy’s background in psychology, public health, and addiction and trauma care
• Why he began looking beyond approaches that focus primarily on stabilizing symptoms
• The role of the brain’s emotional systems in trauma and memory
• What a guided plant medicine ceremony and retreat week can involve
• Screening, medical supervision, individualized care, and safety considerations
• How the retreat approaches guests with addiction, including detox requirements and PTSD
• The center’s aftercare support and alumni resources

This is a favorite episode and Dr Jeff is an incredible speaker doing amazing work in Costa Rica, you can find Rythmia at the website below: 

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