The Dream Journal

Are you ready to wake up to the power of your dreams?

Author: Katherine Bell

The Dream Journal explores a range of topics relating to the healing aspects of night time dreaming. Experienced dream coach Katherine Bell interviews dream experts and others on the path of dreaming, but the heart of this show is YOU, your nighttime dreams, your daytime desires, your hopes for a better life. Dreams, they really can transform your life! Podcasted episodes can be found on all major platforms. Video versions are available on YouTube @ExperientialDreamwork! The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Community Radio for the Central Coast of California, streaming live at https://ksqd.org Saturday mornings 10-11 AM Pacific Time.
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Language: en-us

Genres: Education, Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Self-Improvement

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Anesthesia Dreams, Psychedelics, and Lasting Personal Change with Dr. Pilleriin Sikka
Episode 384
Monday, 12 October, 2026

Can dreams under anesthesia support emotional healing and lasting psychological change? Stanford clinical research scientist Dr. Pilleriin Sikka joins host Katherine Bell on The Dream Journal to explore anesthesia dreams, nighttime dreaming, psychedelic experiences, consciousness, and mental health. They discuss why anesthesia dreams are often calm and positive, how propofol and ketamine can produce different kinds of dream experiences, and what dreams may reveal about the brain’s ability to process emotion and transform difficult experiences. The conversation also examines emerging research on therapeutic anesthesia dreaming, dream recall, PTSD and nightmares, mind-wandering and daydreams, and the possibility that transformative experiences share common mechanisms across sleep, anesthesia, psychedelics, meditation, and waking life. Dr. Sikka explains a five-part protocol used to improve anesthesia-dream recall, including priming, propofol, EEG monitoring, a quiet emergence period, and immediate questioning after awakening. In this episode How dream research can illuminate consciousness and subjective experience The relationship between waking emotions, dream emotions, and mental well-being Why anesthesia dreams are frequently pleasant, autobiographical, and low-arousal A case that inspired research into anesthesia dreams and trauma recovery Similarities and differences among sleep dreams, anesthesia dreams, psychedelic states, meditation, and daydreaming How propofol, ketamine, and opioids may affect dream content and recall Five practical elements that can improve anesthesia-dream recall Why quiet time during emergence may help preserve fragile dream memories BIO: Dr. Pilleriin Sikka leads clinical trials at the Stanford University School of Medicine, with the goal of developing rapid-acting, evidence-based interventions for mental health. She uses psychology, neuroscience, and anesthesiology to study how experiences across different altered states of consciousness—including sleep, dreaming, anesthesia, and psychedelic states—shape mental health and well-being. Look for Dr Sikka on LinkedIn. Upcoming Workshop Dreams and Visions: Cultivating Joyful Effort with Katherine Bell and Henry Kandel. Six monthly Wednesdays on Zoom, 7:00–8:30pm ET (4:00–5:30pm PT), starting November 11. The first session is free. Details and register here: https://www.psychedelicyogaresearchcollective.org/dreams This show, episode number 384, was recorded during a live broadcast on October 10, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. Learn more about dreaming by joining the International Association for the Study of Dreams at ASDreams.org Video podcast available at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”. Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Why We Dream: Nightmares, Sleep Science, and Healing Dreams with Karen Van Kampen Fire Hose or Garden Hose? Psychedelics vs Dreamwork with Darren Jakubec, MD Ketamine State Yoga with Henry Kandel Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.