Transcribed interviews, read out loud...

Very interesting content, poorly structured. Besides, to have transcribed interviews read out loud - is quite absurd. I would have loved to hear the original interviews. Also, having the initials of each interviewed said out loud each time they speak, is annoying, and same thing goes for the "quote on quote" being repeated like 100 times in the whole audiobook...

11 people found this helpful

A Great Crime is Being Committed

I was a drug addict for 10 years of my life. I voluntarily checked into rehab for medical detox and 30 days of treatment. This consisted of daily AA shenanigans and repeatedly being told that I had a disease which was chronic and that relapse was part of it. In other words, planting the seeds of doubt and making excuses for relapses that had not occurred yet. That was 8 years ago and I've never thought of using again. I know many fail trying to get clean. One of the reasons for this is "treatment" is an industry that is not evidence-based but rather the demonstrably worthless, faith-based criteria set forth by AA or any number of equally worthless 12-step programs. Perhaps they benefit the masses as a support tool, but treatment or therapy it most definitely is not. Even in the first days of detox, I thought, "my god, they want me to pray away my addiction." That was 8 years ago and I remain sober today and have never relapsed. I succeeded through self-awareness of my behaviors and impulses, dealing with them rationally with some short-term therapy. The first year was enormously difficult and where most people relapse. As a person who had an addiction to a drug, I do not believe and never have believed that addiction is a disease. It is truly sad that our government has demonized certain substances which may be potentially life changing therapies. All in the name of political power. Of course, the War on Drugs was used by Nixon as a tool to control the perceived threat of minorities and hippies. This policy may be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, policy disaster this country has ever faced. It is STILL choking scientific research and creating criminals out of desperately sick people. And addicts are sick people though not (necessarily) diseased. This book is both illuminating and important. It was not the easiest of listens, but was highly informative.

5 people found this helpful

my mind is soo open. probably one of my favorites

I can't say enough about this book. I learned so much and enjoyed all of it. It was delivered in a way that anyone can understand.

3 people found this helpful

It is shame- scientists more political and lack objectivity and integrity

Most of book not about psychedelics but blaming government and psychiatry, off topic, twisted information end explanation, dirty rhetorical tricks. I am so interested in science of psychedelics but I do not trust compromised scientists

2 people found this helpful

Psychedelic Medicine

hated the format. boring and not effective. reading a transcript of interviews is boring and eating time.. very little actual scientific information and s lot of political missionary statements that even if correct are not relevant to the book title.

2 people found this helpful

Good, not great.

Good content (a bit dated in 2021). Since these arer transcripts it would have made more sense to listen to the original interviews.

2 people found this helpful

Great information!

The information in this book is Incredibly important. The way the book is written, in interview form, makes it cumbersome.
Overall, I would recommend reading it.

2 people found this helpful

A must read on psychedelic science.

A well written and respectful approach to psychedelic medicine and real healing. Definitely a good read.

2 people found this helpful

Good information from multiple scientists

Information is excellent, covers a lot about the therepeutic uses of the drugs and the social implications behind use and how we can go forward. I also really liked the end where he introduces studies of classes of drugs used today and their effectiveness or lack of. Negatives? Interview format kinda sucked. Would've preferred a recording of the interview. If reading is your thing, that may be better but it's still doable. I still enjoyed it and learned a lot.

1 person found this helpful

Best psychedelic medicine compilation

I’ve listened to or read almost every book about psychedelic medicine, and this is the best compilation of the experts all in one source. Once you get past the transcript nature of the conversations, it is excellent.