Read How to Change Your Mind What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness Dying Addiction Depression and Transcendence edition by Michael Pollan Professional Technical eBooks

Product details File Size 3221 KB Print Length 477 pages Publisher Penguin Press (May 15, 2018) Publication Date May 15, 2018 Language English ASIN B076GPJXWZ

How to Change Your Mind What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness Dying Addiction Depression and Transcendence edition by Michael Pollan Professional Technical eBooks Reviews

• My wife Ivy and I have been avid readers of Michael Pollan's previous articles and book-length works especially those involving healthful eating and the food industry. By way of background I am a forty-something surgeon and my wife is an author and blogger with MS who has on occasion had to cope with condition-related mood issues. Without having done much research into the psychedelics other than to ensure they are indeed medically safe (as this book discusses in more detail) a couple years back we participated in several overseas guided ayahuasca (a psychedelic plant mentioned in How to Change Your Mind) sessions. Our experiences as a couple participating both to obtain hoped-for medical benefits and for, in my case, the "betterment of well people" to quote Pollan's book have been discussed online and mirror the experiences described by Mr. Pollan and by the numerous academic professionals, researchers, and patients interviewed throughout this journalistic masterpiece. To describe this further is beyond the scope of my review but we can vouch that this book is one hundred percent serious journalism and that research investment into the study of psychedelics as medications for treatment resistant psychiatric conditions and as spiritual aids for the betterment of humanity is very much needed and is well underway as described in detail in Pollan's book.
  
  As for the prosaic the book is over 400 pages and written at an advanced level and will engage the most curious of readers. The book is organized into six chapters. The first is a broad introduction to the topic of psychedelics and the second discusses psychedelic mushrooms which possess an active ingredient that is the topic of many current-era human research studies. The third chapter discusses the first wave of psychedelic research (I had no idea that in the 1950's these substances were academically studied and thought to hold great promise only for that research to be practically shut down as a result of the political upheaval of the late 60's) and is of great interest to anyone interested in the history of these substances even if one has no interest in their pharmacological effects. The fourth discusses the author's own personal experiences as a middle-aged adult with the psychedelics and he is spot-on with his fascinating first person descriptions of the experience. Finally, chapters five and six discuss current research, expected medical benefits and benefits to the well-person, the neuroscience behind the actual function of psychedelics in the brain, and proposed solutions for safely distributing the psychedelics to persons who could benefit.
  
  For many readers this book will "change your mind" about the loaded term "psychedelic" and will open you up to at least the possibility the world could be a better place if these substances could be studied with as much zeal as are other pharmaceuticals and could be offered safely for the benefit of the millions of persons worldwide suffering from conditions related to dysfunction of the mind.
• This book is many things. It's entertaining to say the least. Pollan takes the heavily loaded topic of psychedelics (LSD and psilocybin) and analyzes it from the compelling perspective of a 63-year-old journalist who's "not at all sure he's ever had a single 'spiritually significant' experience." Every few pages, I stopped to wonder how this old guy (sorry, Mr. Pollan) is so much more fluent on the topic than me, a 25-year-old hippie vegan.
  
  But that's exactly what makes the book so important. Psychedelics don't need to be locked in a role as mind-expanding recreational drugs for young hippies. Research suggests they can play an important role in combating mental illness, and if properly regulated, provide psychological benefits for "the betterment of well people." If there's anyone best suited to help society move past the 1960s and take a fresh, honest look at psychedelics, it's Michael Pollan.
  
  Also consider listening to his podcast with Tim Ferriss about this new book.
• I was thrilled to learn that Michael Pollan was going to tackle the subject of psychedelics and the promising research being done by MAPS and Johns Hopkins, among others. I love his previous books. He is a skilled writer and does such a great job explaining complex topics. I got my copy one day early (thank you to 's efficient delivery service). I am only partially through it, and so far it is fascinating. His recent appearance on Tim Ferriss' podcast was tremendous and is a great introduction to the book and his careful handling of the topic. The potential value for the use of psychedelics in mental health treatment must be fully explored. I hope this book helps further that exploration.
• Last night I finished reading Michael Pollan's latest book, How to Change Your Mind - What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence (Penguin Press, 2018). I'd ordered the book pre-publication, so they sent it to me on the day of its release. I'd been happily anticipating the book as I've admired Pollan's previous works very much. His journalism has long dealt with 'Gaia-related' topics and his even-handed, well written and researched presentations have always included the aspects of conciousness at their core. I can unhesitatingly recommend this volume. He presents both a history of modern (1950-70s) 'psychedelic' research studies & explorations and a current report of the newly resumed studies in the many uses of entheogens. This includes both overviews of clinical studies, practices of 'shamanic traditions', and his own personal experiences. I'm sure you'd recognize the names of many of the principle players & circumstances he describes; old friends of psychedelic literature & exploration.
  
  I think it's great that such a thoughtful book would be offered by this well-accomplished 'mainstream' journalist. This can only lend more weight to the general public & our authorities to developing a less reactionary and more sane view of these sacramental benefactors. Pollan, like all of us, is very concerned about how we can continue to sustainably exist as individuals, a society, a species. He sees that there may be some allies, close to hand, that have long been available to help us adjust our perceptions and continue on an evolutionary journey, to grow & to expand rather than self-destructing. "How to change your mind" is a well chosen phrase, an observation that often our 'problems' are ones of perception rather than actual unyielding obstacles. Good work, good book, good gracious.