The Healing Power of Psychedelics and Storytelling with Diego: A Journey Through 5-MeO-DMT and Self-Discovery
- Security Halt Podcast
- Apr 25
- 3 min read
In this powerful episode of the Security Halt Podcast, host Deny Caballero welcomes former Navy SEAL Diego Ugalde, whose journey through 5-MeO-DMT, Ibogaine, and Ayahuasca led him from high-performance military life to a mission of healing, consciousness, and storytelling. Together, they explore the power of psychedelics to transform our understanding of self, suffering, and growth—and how disciplined integration of those lessons can help us rewrite the stories we tell about ourselves.
Psychedelics and the Return to Self
Diego’s introduction to psychedelics came not through personal crisis, but through witnessing transformation in others. Skeptical at first, he entered a 5-MeO-DMT experience with the belief that he had no unresolved trauma. What he found instead was a shattering of the ego and an overwhelming awareness of the vast internal universe he had never truly explored.
Rather than selling psychedelics as miracle cures, Diego presents a grounded message: the medicine doesn’t heal you—it shows you what’s already within. “Healing isn’t about escaping suffering,” he explains. “It’s about changing your relationship with it.”
The Myth of the Magic Pill
Throughout the conversation, Deny and Diego challenge a common misconception—that psychedelics are the solution. Diego makes it clear: these substances are not magic bullets. They are tools that reveal truths, dissolve egoic defenses, and open doors to suppressed awareness—but it’s up to the individual to do the real work of integration, discipline, and self-reflection.
This insight is especially vital for veterans and others seeking mental health support. Relying solely on external solutions without addressing internal awareness can hinder long-term healing. Lasting growth comes through acceptance, humility, and conscious action—not just the ceremony itself.
Confronting the Shadow with Ibogaine and Ayahuasca
Diego shares his transformative experiences with two of the world’s most powerful psychedelics: Ayahuasca and Ibogaine. While Ayahuasca carried a feminine, nurturing energy, Ibogaine felt more like a stern teacher—offering no emotional comfort, only raw and unfiltered truth.
These experiences forced him to confront painful memories, unresolved guilt, and hidden aspects of himself that he once rejected. The outcome wasn’t peace in the traditional sense—it was freedom through radical honesty. Diego learned to hold space for discomfort and embrace emotional impermanence, a mindset that continues to shape his post-military life.
Suffering, Awareness, and the Only Constant
One of the most impactful parts of the episode centers on suffering. Diego describes how his relationship with pain changed—moving from resistance to curiosity. “Suffering still arises,” he says, “but now I observe it rather than become it.” This shift allows him to meet challenges with presence, rather than panic.
The episode presents a powerful reminder that the journey to healing doesn’t eliminate adversity—it strengthens your ability to engage with it mindfully. Life’s impermanence becomes a source of grace, not anxiety. This is the true gift of psychedelics when paired with discipline and integration.
Warrior Side and Healing Through Storytelling
Today, Diego works with Warrior Side, a nonprofit organization helping veterans reconnect to purpose through storytelling. By guiding former service members to reframe their trauma, ego, and pain, Diego helps others transform adversity into strength, wisdom, and service.
Through the lens of shared experience, veterans are empowered to see that they are not broken—they are evolving. This community-driven, soul-level work exemplifies the highest use of psychedelic healing: using it not as a destination, but as a doorway to self-discovery, empathy, and connection.
Let this conversation serve as a guidepost—for veterans, seekers, and anyone ready to turn suffering into strength. Hit play, subscribe, and share this episode with someone on their own healing journey.
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