How To Change Your Mind

It feels a bit redundant to post about Michael Pollan’s bestselling book ‘How to Change Your Mind,’ since it has been advertised so much in the past years. However, I have chosen it as the first in the ‘Books & Podcasts’ section because I believe it to be the most well-rounded when it comes to learning about the psychedelic evolution in the Western world. This is a great place to start for anyone interested in the topic and I highly highly recommend it!

In the book’s first half, Michael Pollan gives a brief history of psychedelics in the United States, including the discovery of LSD, the integration of psilocybin into society, and the trial and tribulations of these substances.

In the second half, he writes about his first-time experiences using LSD, Psilocybin, and 5-MeO-DMT and their lasting effects on him. He concludes his book by speaking about the potential of psychedelics in therapy.

Podcast: 

#365: Michael Pollan — Exploring the Frontiers of Psychedelics

The Tim Ferriss Show

In this podcast, Tim Ferriss, a great advocate for psychedelic research and development, interviews Michael Pollan in a live format. I love listening to both these men talk about a subject they are so passionate and knowledgable about. I always take away so much from these conversations!

A statistic that stood out was that in 2018, 70,000 people died in the US due to opioid addiction. In comparison, around 50,000 people died in the entire Vietnam War.

The opioid crisis is an extremely pressing problem that the COVID pandemic has only exacerbated. Currently between 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 adults live with a mental illness. We should be looking towards innovative approaches, combining alternative treatments and technology that can provide long-lasting, holistic care to those undergoing pain or suffering.