Quick IQ Episode – The Truth About Psychedelics, Healing, and the Power of Your Mind

Welcome to Heal Yourself, Change Your Life. My name is Brandy Gillmore. And after recovering from my own life-changing injury, it’s become my mission to share with others the same discoveries I made that changed my health and my entire life. Our minds are truly incredible — the placebo is proof of this.

Each week, I will take this simple awareness to a whole new level. I even coach live callers to free themselves of physical pain using only their mind. And then I provide you with a combination of practical and spiritual insights that you can use to master your mind, your emotions, and your energy — to help you heal your health, yourself, and your life.

Let’s begin.

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Quick IQ episode, where we talk about insights and questions. Today, I want to talk about psychedelics, ketamine, ayahuasca — different types of substances, ceremonies, and medicine journeys. This is such an important topic, and there are things here that truly need to be discussed with awareness and compassion.

Now, I do have to say — people have asked my opinion about this topic for years, and I’ve always steered clear of it. The reason is that I don’t like to speak negatively about things, and I also don’t want to endorse something unless I truly believe in it. I prefer to focus on what does work rather than speak poorly about what doesn’t.

That said, it feels important to finally bring awareness to this subject, because there are real insights that people need to understand — sooner rather than later. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about awareness and empowerment.

The Story of Matthew Perry and Cultural Conditioning

Part of what brought this topic forward is hearing people blame Matthew Perry for his passing, saying it was his fault due to ketamine use. Yes, he had too much in his system, and yes, there were health issues involved — but what I want to unpack is much deeper than blame.

Let’s take a moment to look at the bigger picture. Matthew Perry had a long, well-known struggle with addiction. It reportedly began after a jet ski accident when he was prescribed Vicodin for pain. Over time, he became addicted, and it spiraled from there. His story isn’t unique — it’s something that has happened to so many people who never intended to become dependent on substances.

Instead of judging him, we need to understand what was really going on at the subconscious level. His subconscious mind was programmed to believe that feeling good — or feeling better — came from a pill, bottle, or substance. That belief system shaped much of his life experience.

A Pattern We’ve Seen Before

If we look back in history, this isn’t new. Cocaine was once used in the medical field — even promoted by Sigmund Freud as a safe and effective tonic for depression and sexual impotence. Methamphetamines, LSD, and many other substances have also had their time being touted as “safe” medical tools. Even Coca-Cola once contained cocaine because it was believed to be beneficial!

So as a culture, we have a long pattern of selling people on substances that are marketed as safe, therapeutic, or “the answer.” Then, when people become addicted, we turn around and blame them. We label them as “addicts” instead of recognizing the programming and social conditioning behind their dependency.

Think about it — people become addicted to painkillers, OxyContin, or even something prescribed by their doctor… and then they’re shamed for it. That’s not compassion. That’s a cycle that needs to end.

The Subconscious Programming Behind Substance Use

In Matthew Perry’s case, as in so many others, the subconscious programming told him that healing or comfort came from a substance. And that’s a very difficult belief to break because it becomes embedded at such a deep emotional level.

For me personally, I’m grateful that when I was on medications during my own injury, I never got addicted. But that experience gave me tremendous compassion for those who do. I understand how the mind can create those patterns — how it can link relief, comfort, or happiness to something external like a pill or a drug.

I’ve even met people who’ve developed dependencies on ayahuasca or similar “spiritual” medicines — to the point where their bodies began to reject it, yet they continued in other forms. That shows how powerful subconscious association can be — even when the intention is healing.

The Cultural Cycle of Substances and Blame

We need to see the pattern clearly: society promotes a substance as a cure. People use it. Some develop dependence. Then, society turns around and judges them. It’s a painful, repetitive cycle that reflects how little we truly understand about the mind.

So if someone tells you that a new medicine, plant, or chemical is “100% safe” and will fix your depression, trauma, or anxiety — I invite you to pause and really think about it. Be aware. Be informed. And as always, talk with your doctor. I’m not here to offer medical advice; I’m here to encourage awareness and empowerment.

In my own journey, I’m deeply grateful that I learned how to use my mind to heal myself. I faced what was going on inside and reprogrammed my subconscious. That process didn’t just change my health — it transformed my entire life, my happiness, and even the way I connect energetically with others.

It’s why I teach people to master their minds. Because once you do, everything changes — your health, your relationships, your energy, your entire life experience.

Why Learning to Use Your Mind Is the Real Answer

When I look back, learning how to reprogram my mind was the turning point — the foundation of everything I now teach. It’s the same principle I use in my live coaching sessions where you can literally see people release pain on medical equipment in real time. That’s not placebo — that’s the power of the mind.

The truth is, we’re not lacking substances. What we’re lacking is understanding — understanding how the mind truly works and how to use it correctly. Our brains don’t need drugs to heal. In fact, when we learn to activate the power of our thoughts, emotions, and energy, the healing potential is far greater — and completely natural.

The Social Influence Behind “Healing Experiences”

Now, let’s look at another important piece of this — the social factor. I’ve seen people experience positive results after using psychedelics like ayahuasca or ketamine, but often, it’s not the drug itself that creates the real transformation — it’s the story and the social connection that follows.

For example, when someone takes ayahuasca, they usually come back with a story to tell. They share their insights, their visions, their “journey.” And through that process of storytelling, they experience connection, validation, and emotional release — all of which create a shift in energy. That’s powerful. But it’s not necessarily the substance that created the healing; it’s the emotional and social integration that happened afterward.

The Placebo Effect and the Power of Belief

Years ago, there was a study on ayahuasca and depression, and interestingly, the placebo group reported somewhere around a 77–78% improvement. Why? Because of the novelty and the expectation of transformation. When something feels new, hopeful, or sacred, the mind shifts emotionally — and that shift alone can catalyze real changes in energy and emotion.

This is why I say — what we believe, and how we connect, matters deeply. The emotional story that follows an experience can often have more impact than the experience itself.

So yes, people can experience results — but we need to look at why. Is it the substance? The belief? The community? The sense of purpose and meaning? All of these factors play a part. But ultimately, the mind is the driving force behind the outcome.

Seeing the Bigger Picture of Mind and Energy

Over the years, I’ve worked with people who’ve tried every type of healing — from plant medicines to energy work to therapy — and what I’ve found is that the real transformation happens when people learn how to use their minds consciously.

When you understand how your subconscious works, how your emotions are encoded, and how to truly reprogram those patterns — that’s when you see deep, lasting change. That’s what I teach in my programs, including the four-week video course that walks you step-by-step through the process of rewiring your mind and emotions.

Even on the podcast, when I coach volunteers to release pain, it’s powerful — but that’s usually just their first session. There’s so much more that can happen as they go deeper. Each session uncovers new breakthroughs, awarenesses, and transformations. And the beauty is — it’s all within the power of the mind.

We’re Using the Mind Backward

One of the biggest challenges I see is that people often don’t understand the order of the mind. They approach healing by “trying everything” or talking endlessly about problems, without knowing how to rewire the subconscious patterns that cause those problems.

It’s like trying to operate a computer without learning how it works. You can press random buttons all day — but until you understand the system, you won’t get the results you want.

Our world is filled with negativity — from the news to social media — and those constant inputs shape the subconscious mind. When people wonder why they feel anxious or depressed, this is often part of the reason. We’re programming our minds with negativity without realizing it.

The Key Takeaways

There are a few really important insights I want you to take from today’s episode:

1. Awareness of Cultural Conditioning: Our society has a long history of promoting drugs as “safe cures,” only to later discover their harmful effects. So always stay aware and discerning — especially when something new is being marketed as the next miracle.
2. You Are the Answer: The real power to heal is within you. Your mind, your emotions, your energy — that’s where true transformation begins. Learn how to use your mind as the incredible healing tool it was designed to be.
3. Bring Positivity Into Your Life Regularly: Make a conscious effort to fill your mind with uplifting, loving, empowering thoughts and experiences. The more positivity you fuel your mind with, the more you reprogram your energy and life toward health, joy, and abundance.

Uplifting and Reprogramming Your Energy

In my programs, I include something called Uplift Calls — group calls where people from around the world come together to consciously raise their energy. We practice positive programming, emotional elevation, and mind rewiring. The energy is amazing. It’s not just about feeling good — it’s about creating lasting change.

I want to invite you to do the same in your daily life. Create those moments of uplift. Surround yourself with positive people, music, or activities that raise your vibration and reprogram your mind in the direction of happiness and empowerment.

Final Thoughts

That’s today’s Quick IQ episode. As always, I want to invite you to take a quick moment to hit the share button on this episode. Share it with someone you love, someone you care about, or even someone you don’t know — because the more happy, healthy, and empowered people we have in our world, the better life becomes for all of us.

Please make a point to have a wonderful, loving, and joyful rest of your day — and I look forward to connecting with you on the next episode.

Outro Message

Thank you for listening to Heal Yourself, Change Your Life. People often reach out to say how these episodes have touched their hearts, helped them stay positive in hard times, or awakened them to the incredible power within themselves.

If today’s episode expanded your mind or touched your heart, please take a moment to share it with those who need it. As more and more people awaken to their power, it truly changes the world for the better. That’s the purpose of this work — to show what we’re all capable of.

Remember, if you’d like to send me questions or comments, or volunteer for the show, you can visit brandygillmore.com.

And finally, if you have any health concerns, continue seeing your doctors — and make it your goal to blow their minds with what you’re capable of through the power of your own mind.

You are truly incredible. Thank you for being here, and I’ll see you next time.