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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Colonisation
Minor: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
yogabbagabba04's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Cancer
Minor: Suicide
erinwolf1997's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
hoppskotch's review against another edition
4.75
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Vomit, Medical content, and Grief
le_mur's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Drug use, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Death and Medical trauma
antoniathearcane's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Death and Drug use
manatad's review against another edition
4.5
I don't read a lot of nonfiction, so I appreciate Pollan's ability to write about complicated subjects in a manner that is accessible and personable. There were a few moments, mainly during the history section of the book, where I didn't feel as highly engaged, but the rest of the book was captivating. It left me feeling deeply thoughtful, curious, and hopeful.
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
hannah_grace's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Drug use
sarahbythebook's review against another edition
4.0
Michael Pollan's blend of science journalism and memoir is captivating and informative. The fraught history of research on LSD and similar substances is both ancient and brand new, thanks in no small part to the Nixon administration. However, it's encouraging to hear the research that's been unearthed and continued, at least up to 2018.
There are a few things I wish Pollan had given more page space to:
First the use of psychedelics by indigenous peoples in the Americas pre-Europeans as well as how they're used in cultures on other continents. I'm especially curious about the use of these types of plants in Africa, since it was only mentioned in passing once in this book.
Second, MKUltra. As someone unsurprised by the government lying to its civilians and using them as test subjects, I'd at least like to be able to read about it, especially in the context of other research that paralleled the CIA's.
This book also raised an interesting question, at least to me. How would a guided trip--eye masks and all-- work for someone with a sense-based neurodivergence? How would someone who already experiences synesthesia react? What about someone like me with aphantasia who cannot create mental images? What are the scientifically observable differences in a psychedelic experience in a neurotypical person versus those of us that don't quite follow the mold?
The only real issue I have with this book is the constant use of feminine pronouns when referring to a fictional person. It felt like a weird choice--maybe it's just in the audiobook. Overall, I'm glad I finally read How to Change your Mind, and I hope it's done some good in changing the minds of those who control drug policy.
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
adeliab's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Colonisation
Minor: Suicide