How to Change Your Mind

My mind was already changed to the point where I believed that psychedelics are an incredible class of drugs that we should be exploring much much more. But Michael really takes you by his hand detailing his experience from 0 to convert. From skeptic, to interested person, to convict.

The book is divided into three main sections. The first is a history of research in the (mostly psychiatric) use of psychedelics. The third part is a look at current research into the ways these molecules actually affect the brain. The middle section is Pollan's recounting of some of his experiences using these molecules, though I wouldn't describe this as treating the reader to his high. Rather, he tries to put into words what he experienced, and his point here is how that changed him from an open-minded, atheist skeptic into a even more open-minded revisionist of materialist views of the world. Where once he saw an opposition, as he says, between “spiritual” and “materialist,” he now views the opposition as between spiritual and egotistical. As difficult as it is for members of such a stridently individualist culture to grasp, Pollan now argues that that is the source of some of our most critical health care issues, e.g., addiction and depression.

If you're new to the world of psychedelics or if you're already a believer, this book is for you. I guarantee you'll learn a lot.