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How to Change Your Mind

What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Jefferson County Public Library.
Nov 20, 2018JamiGramore rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This is another wonderfully written book by Michael Pollan that I can't praise enough. It's a combination of all the topics I find most interesting -- the neuroscience of consciousness, psychedelics, mental health, history of drugs, and dealing with death. He also includes his trip reports, which he describes as accurately as possible in rich, elegant prose. In particular, I really appreciate the fact that he approaches the subject of spiritual/mystical/transcendent experiences from a more scientific perspective, capturing the universal qualities of these experiences that don't necessarily depend on belief in the supernatural. Personally, I strive to understand the science of how these molecules affect the brain, and that understanding does not detract from the healing and the sense of awe that I've gotten from psychedelic therapy.