how to change your mind, by michael pollan

This book is part history and part science, interwoven with a profound personal journey that Pollan undertakes as he delves into the world of psychedelics. 

We learn about the history of psychedelics, starting with their use by indigenous peoples for spiritual and healing purposes. We then explore the counterculture movement in the 1960s and are introduced to some of the scientific work done by pioneers such as Albert Hoffman and Timothy Leary, prior to the government’s crack down on their use.

My key takeaways:

• It’s no surprise that psychedelics have experienced a turbulent past. We should be excited that today, psychedelic research is making a resurgence with millions of dollars being invested to understand how they can be used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety and addiction.
• The history of criminalisation of psychedelics is fraught with the sins of politics within the scientific domain. It’s yet another example of how scientific practices are fraught with issues.
• Ego dissolution is the broad term used to explain the feeling of a psychedelic trip – this involves the separation of one’s ego, their inner self and the broader world. They experiences are powerful tools for helping people deal with end-of-life anxiety.
• Much research has been done into the role of “set and setting” – the environment in which a psychedelic experience is had has a profound impact on the experience. Taking these drugs in the presence of a guide or therapist can greatly enhance the experience.

Concepts to explore further:

• Holotropic breathwork → a powerful breathing technique that can induce a trance-like experience.
• Hypnagogic consciousness → the mental space that sometimes opens up in a bed when we’re poised between the states of being awake and falling asleep. I’ve experienced this most often during lazy weekend naps.
• “A wandering mind is an unhappy mind” → strong correlation between unhappiness and time spent mindlessly wandering.