How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence by Michael Pollan

Presents an investigation into the medical and scientific revolution currently taking place in the field of psychedelic drugs, tracing the criminalization of such substances as LSD and psychedelic mushrooms and how they may offer treatment options for difficult health challenges.

Going to count this one for the Read Harder Challenge category “a book of social science.” The discussion of the “new” science of psychedelics, their relative safety and effectiveness, and their potential to improve well-being is fascinating. For this purpose, though, there is the notion that the world was changed and influenced by these substances in the 1960s and early 70s, not to mention their longstanding use in the rites and rituals of some cultures.

3.7

I enjoyed the first 2 and the last 2 chapters the most (the history of psychedelics and the science of psychedelics). The stuff in the middle like the vivid description of the author's trips, while necessary for the book to feel cohesive, can be skipped entirely. IMO it is like seeing a ghost or witnessing a miracle. You won't get it until it happens to you.

Some concepts I found very intriguing (Eg. default mode network). Though it all makes a lot of sense which makes me skeptical.

I was cautious. Now I'm very curious.

I wish this was a little less literary and a little more clinical.

Rating: 8.3/10

Really liked this one. I've always been interested in the psychedelic experience and the deeper meaning behind altered brain states and this book singlehandedly addressed all of my curiosities about the topic. Although we're starting to hear a bit more about it in mainstream culture, I had no idea that the resurgence of psychedelic research has been going on for several years now. Pollan does a great job of breaking the book into multiple sections: the past, present, and future of LSD research, his own experience and psychedelic journey, and the neuroscience behind this unbelievable hallucinogen. It got a bit boring in parts and it didn't help that I spread this book out over several months. He definitely did his due diligence when it comes to research and unfortunately, this makes the book a bit dry, especially when he takes the time to name almost every researcher or scientist involved in a particular narrative.

Despite these shortcomings, Michael Pollan has made me eager for further developments in the field of psychedelics and presented stunningly positive impacts of this often-maligned substance.