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

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

Michael Pollan went from writing about food to writing about drugs. In this book he explores psychedelic drugs. LSD had been studied extensively since it was first synthesized in 1938. The company that synthesized it gave samples to researchers and it spread. However, by the late 1960s, it became associated with the counterculture movement and was banned as a recreational drug. Recently more research has been underway. Other drugs, such as "magic mushrooms" and peyote have manage to escape as significant negative associations, and have been able to continue limited "legitimate use" as part of religious rituals.

The drugs enable experiences that are similar to religious experiences. They are almost "religion for those that don't believe". Some are also used in conjunction with religious experiences. The place and setting when a drug is consumed can change the experience. There does appear to be some use for the drugs. However, it tends to require a more wholistic approach than trying to break it down to individual components.

The most interesting part about the book is the history. There have been a lot of ups and downs and "interesting" characters involved with psychedelics. It has been "super serious" and "counter-cultural" at times. It is still not totally clear what they do. They seem to cut off some automatic "filling in of the blanks" as well as allowing more free associations. Are there other ways to accomplish what the drugs help accelerate? Could they be used for a "one time" cure for ailments, or would they end up just being a regular consumption drug. Could they even be legitimized? Or are the associations and history too strong to allow them in a lefit area?