Book Recommendation: How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
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I recently picked up a book that’s been sitting on my desk for a long time, begging for my attention. Why did I wait so long? As promised by its daunting title, Michael Pollan’s 2018 book, How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence, has a lot to say about a lot of things.
Image credits: Kichigan via Shutterstock.
The common thread? Psychedelic molecules, particularly LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms). Pollan integrates history, science, literature, philosophy, spirituality, and personal experience to ask two big questions. First, what led to the backlash against psychedelics in the 1960s despite promising research? Second, what are we learning today about the potential use of psychedelics in treating a variety of conditions—addiction, depression, fear at end of life, and more—as well as expanding human potential?
How to Change Your Mind is similar to other Pollan books, like The Omnivore’s Dilemma and Food Rules: from a starting position of curiosity and skepticism, the author takes us on a journey through the known and unknown. The writing is lucid and grounded, with lots of research.
💡 As a scientist, I greatly enjoyed Pollan’s explorations of the neurobiology and evolutionary history of psychedelics. I also appreciated the behind-the-scenes look at the culture, both within science and society at large, that led to the prohibitive regulation around these molecules. And I was simply fascinated by the firsthand accounts—by Pollan, clinical-trial participants, and others—of psychedelic journeys.
Much of this book focuses on “psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.” In other words, we’re not talking about party drugs. Instead, we’re talking about intentionally designed, professionally guided experiences that become integrated with a person’s behavior and philosophy. How to change your mind, indeed!
Notably, the author allows his research to lead him to provocative statements, like this one:
💡 “There are times in the evolution of a species when the old patterns no longer avail, and the radical, potentially innovative perceptions and behaviors that psychedelics sometime inspire may offer the best chance for adaptation. Think of it as a neurochemically induced source of variation in a population.” (Pollan)
It’s clearly a thought that’s resonating with plenty of people. From microdosing for creativity and focus to multi-day psychedelic retreats, there are hints that these molecules are moving out of the shadows. This book highlights therapeutic areas to watch. I’m particularly interested in end-of-life applications, for patients and their families, as well as in the search for personal meaning.
Pollan is very clear that there are big questions to be answered about how psychedelics interact with our brain, and how those interactions lead to the deeply significant experiences reported by many users. I will definitely be following this field more closely. Given the burgeoning activity in this innovation space, the next few years should be quite revealing.
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