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How to Change Your Mind
- Narrated by: Michael Pollan
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Professionals & Academics
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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.
Critic reviews
"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)
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What listeners say about How to Change Your Mind
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 11-07-18
life changing
Life changing, revolutionary, witty and self effacing but underpinned by scientific study and historical exposition. This book is essential reading, an eloquent and entertaining starting point for further research and exploration. recommended for anyone wishing to progress in their understanding of cognition, and break through the rigid barriers imposed ruthlessly by age.
This book is also a glimmer of hope for people affected by mental health disorders, or find themselves lost in endless cycles (spirals) of rumination and fixation.
if your cynicism or skepticism is putting you off consider this:
The FDA(!) is one of the main institutions driving this research, forced into a more progressive stance given the terrible state of mental health care in the USA .
17 people found this helpful
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- Natalia
- 23-05-18
an absolute must.
at last a broad scope well researched and written review of important subject that we denied by the misguided establishment.
11 people found this helpful
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- Alex
- 10-08-19
Excellent and, punnily enough, mind changing book!
Like the author himself was, I'm a pretty staunch materialist and have always been skeptical about drugs. I've also been fed my fair share of propaganda against LSD and psychedelics, on the claim that it would make you go insane.
So I was pretty reluctant to read/listen to this book, but I was going to have to discuss it with friends so on I went.
It didn't take long for me to realize how insightful and fascinating this book is. Whatever your stance or intent re psychedelics, I'd say its well worth a read in a purely academic sense. The thesis idea surrounding the default mode network in our brains as the gestalt cause for overthinking, ruminating, and the ensuins mental pain, is in itself well worth the price and your time.
6 people found this helpful
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- Phillip
- 28-09-18
loved this book from start to finish
It is so easy to listen to Michael Pollan, I learned so much from this book. If this is a subject that interests you I highly recommend listening to this book its amazing :)
4 people found this helpful
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- Emily Labram
- 17-09-18
Fascinating and inspiring listen
I just loved this book. It brought the world of psychedelic research to life, a world completely unknown to me. And then the author's own journey with psychedelic medicines was also thrilling and relatable. The book has kindled in me a newfound interest in fungi of all kinds and left me impressed by the potential of these unique substances, and the insights they offer. A masterpiece of journalism and a brave and important memoir.
4 people found this helpful
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- Saffa29
- 16-11-20
Thorough, enlightening!
I love Michael Pollan and I love what this book can do square, mind-altering skeptics such as myself. The major weakness is the amount of repetition, where the same facts and statements are brought up again and again. If you're reading the whole thing, and not just a select chapter, this really takes you out of the flow whenever it happens.
3 people found this helpful
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- Daniel
- 25-11-18
Well told, while offering refreshing perspectives
With a super narrator, how to change you're mind tells the story of psychadellics in a captivating way that often offered me nuggets of "aha" moments, exciting insights into research and left me with the feeling of "hm, maybe it's time I try".
I warmly recommend it.
3 people found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 06-08-21
Very interesting and thought provoking.
A thoroughly enjoyable listen with great content. It proves there's more than just our reality of what consciousness is.
2 people found this helpful
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- Midori
- 03-08-21
a must read for everyone
Incredible book for everyone and especially those for an affinity for psychedelics though after reading this book I would be surprised if you didn't at the very least consider altered States on consciousness and psychedelics for yourself.
Micheal pollan reading himself is the true cherry on a fantastic read
peace and love
2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 19-07-21
A must read for those interested or skeptical
Hands down one of the best books I've read. Michael Pollan is a phenomenal writer that takes you through his own experiences with psychedelics as well as the history and recent research into them. If you're skeptical about psychedelics, as he was, this will surely change your mind. If you're already a convert this will give you plenty to think about and discuss as well as probably reignite your desire to try them or do them again. Can't rate this book highly enough
2 people found this helpful
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- Carmen Herbert
- 21-10-20
More esoteric than scientific or historical
Basically, a lot of people trip on psychedelics and assign spiritual meaning to it. I’m not saying that’s not something that happens, but that’s literally all that is explored here. No science, just people talking about being high. It’s as annoying in an audiobook as it is at a party.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 04-07-18
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!
1 person found this helpful
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- Luciana Russo Vichino
- 16-07-21
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.
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- Kristoffer
- 06-10-20
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 😊👍
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- Pavan
- 12-06-20
Excellent insight into the world of psychedelics
Although verbose, I really enjoyed listening to this book!
it's dense, long and utterly detailed, this book could have been shortened to 60% of its current read. However the insights and rich anecdotes offered by the author's journey itself as well as the depth of research into psychedelics spanning almost a century is revelatory.
I have personally dabbled in psychedelics and I can resonate to the idea that several state of consciousness exists beyond our default one and psychedelics helped me to open my "third eye". The depth and banality of platitudes are so deeply felt during a "trip". I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about this beautiful hidden world and keen to enjoy an expanded mental entropy through psychedelics.
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- cristhian burgos
- 29-11-19
Brilliantly relatable
First, the author reads it himself. Second, thank you. An honest, unbiased journalistic aproach to a thorny subject.
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- L
- 02-07-19
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
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- Jukka
- 04-04-19
Intriguing
Some very interesting stuff about psychedelics written mostly in a quite objective manner. Interesting times ahead.
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- Fernanda Calixto Cabral
- 21-02-19
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!
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- Philomath
- 10-12-18
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.