How to Change Your Mind

By: Michael Pollan

Narrated by: Michael Pollan

Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

How to Change Your Mind is a report from what could very well be the future of human consciousness, written and read by Michael Pollan.

When LSD was first discovered in the 1940s, it seemed to researchers, scientists and doctors as if the world might be on the cusp of psychological revolution. It promised to shed light on the deep mysteries of consciousness, as well as offer relief to addicts and the mentally ill. But in the 1960s, with the vicious backlash against the counter-culture, all further research was banned. In recent years, however, work has quietly begun again on the amazing potential of LSD, psilocybin and DMT. Could these drugs in fact improve the lives of many people? Diving deep into this extraordinary world and putting himself forward as a guinea-pig, Michael Pollan has written and read a remarkable history of psychedelics and a compelling portrait of the new generation of scientists fascinated by the implications of these drugs.

'His approach is steeped in honesty and self-awareness. His cause is just, his thinking is clear, and his writing is compelling' - Washington Post

'An easy-going humane generosity ... mischievous self-regard ... as if Henry David Thoreau had had an encounter with Woody Allen and never been quite the same since' - Simon Schama

©2018 Michael Pollan (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Amazing book!

Micheal Pollan writes about the history of psychedelics and his personal experiences with great detail and care. Very informative but also touching book.
I recommend it for anyone seeking ways to open the mind and rethink what the human conscious mean. Great read!

A truly well written deep dive into the realm of psychedelics A++

All you need to know about psychedelics and then some!
I very much appreciated Mr. Pollans voice on the audiobook as well.
He took me on a pleasant journey from the origins and and all the way up to the present day status of this hopeful new cure for most of the modern day ailments.
I hope many more of his generation and perhaps other skeptics can tune in and have their minds expanded. In this case through a well written trip 😊👍

A real education

This is a superb book, which deals with a subject loaded with preconception with scientific and investigative rigor, beautiful language, and an honesty and feeling that is very touching. well done to Michael Pollan on a subject well researched and artfully presented. and to the narrator on a great job conveying it!

What happens when the ego leaves

In a typical Michael Pollan engaging style the history and experience of psychedelic substances is brought to the forefront. From Magic Mashrooms, to LSD, MDT, and MESCALINE. These are chemicals produced in nature that tap in to the depths of the mind.

The author explains these hallucinogenics and the life changing experiences it produces in people that take them, for the most cases positive. They have been banned from scientific study for over 40 years where they went underground, but now are making a resurgence as an alternative in psychotherapy, and proving to have a wealth of benefits in studying the mind.

This book also shows the struggle between the science and the use of the psychedelic drugs for the study of the mind, and their use as vehicle for spiritual journeys ones that reveal the mind and consciousness as only one aspect of many states. The ego is always in control. As the author explains this “the ego” somehow deflates and in some cases fizzles away providing an experience of oneness with everyone and everything.

When Silicon Valley is micro-dosing for creativity one wonders what else this is good for. A well written book about a subject that has been taboo in society and science for far too long. A highly recommended read.

Brilliantly relatable

First, the author reads it himself. Second, thank you. An honest, unbiased journalistic aproach to a thorny subject.

Informative and Insightful

Very nice reading and full of facts and real human stories. If you want to deeper in the topic there are valuable references you can use.

Well done. A must read

A fantastic, equally objective journey into psychedelics for our collective betterment. Bravo, Michael Pollan. The narration (by the author) is also excellent.

Amazing book...I felt every bit of the experience.

wait wait wait wait...let me see how I can describe this....engaging, informative and extremely entertaining...🎤

A stunning summary of all things psychedelic

Michael Pollan has gathered a vast knowledge of psychedelic history, science and experience. He weaves this together in a deeply interesting and entertaining way. thank you!

excellent and educational

this was great book. I was interested then obsessed. then converted. having had a die from cancer I could relate and see potential for palliative reasons