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

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

MICHAEL POLLAN
480 pages
Penguin Press
May 2018
Health, Mind & Body WSBN
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A brilliant and brave investigation by Michael Pollan, author of five <i>New York Times</i> best sellers, into the medical and scientific revolution taking place around psychedelic drugs--and the spellbinding story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences <br><br>When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. Thus began a singular adventure into the experience of various altered states of consciousness, along with a dive deep into both the latest brain science and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. Pollan sifts the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the Sixties, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists catalyzed a powerful backlash against what was then a promising field of research.<br><br>A unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travel writing, history, and medicine, <i>How to Change Your Mind</i> is a triumph of participatory journalism. By turns dazzling and edifying, it is the gripping account of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, the self, and our place in the world. The true subject of Pollan's &quot;mental travelogue&quot; is not just psychedelic drugs, but the eternal puzzle of human consciousness and how, in a world that offers us both struggle and beauty, we can do our best to be fully present and find meaning in our lives.
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Highly Informative and Enjoyable

Pollan’s book is a fascinating exploration of the history and science of psychedelics, as well as their resurgence in both current research and public interest. He weaves together vivid personal narratives with well-researched reporting, and his use of metaphor adds both clarity and pleasure to the reading experience. His explanation of the neuroscience—especially the Default Mode Network (DMN)—is the clearest I’ve encountered. For the first time, I feel like I understand what the DMN is and why it matters. Throughout, Pollan maintains a thoughtful skepticism and stays grounded in evidence. It’s an engaging, informative, and thoroughly enjoyable read. Read more

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About this book
Pages 480
Publisher Penguin Press
Published 2018
Readers 3