How consciousness changes

Bestseller no. 1 New York Times, 10 Best Books of 2018 by the New York Times Book Review, and a New York Times Notable Book.

A brilliant and daring exploration of the medical and scientific revolution unfolding around psychedelic drugs - and the captivating story of his own life-changing psychedelic experiences.

When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction, and anxiety, he had no intention of writing what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But when he discovered how these remarkable substances improved the lives of not only the mentally ill, but also healthy people coping with the problems of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in both the first and third person. Thus began an extraordinary adventure into various altered states of consciousness, along with an immersion in the latest scientific findings about the brain and the thriving underground community of psychedelic therapists. Pollan sifts through the historical record to separate the truth about these mysterious drugs from the myths that have surrounded them since the 1960s, when a handful of psychedelic evangelists inadvertently catalyzed a massive backlash against a then-promising field of research.

A unique and elegant blend of science, memoir, travelogue, history, and medicine, How Consciousness Changes is a triumph of participatory journalism. It is a gripping and enlightening tale of a journey to an exciting and unexpected new frontier in our understanding of the mind, ourselves, and our place in the world. The real theme of Pollan' s " psychic travelogue" is not just psychedelic drugs, but also the eternal riddle of human consciousness, which is, as in the world, who offers us suffering and joy, we can do everything for it, to be fully present and find meaning in our lives.

" A trip worth taking, one that will open your eyes and even take your breath away. " - Kirkus

" At a time of renewed scientific interest in the potential medicinal properties of psychedelic drugs, Pollan. he embarks on an investigation of their history - and he himself (under supervision! ) is trying. He leaves impressed by their promising benefits for treating addiction and depression - and with an expanded mind. And yours will be too. " - People

" Michael brings all the curiosity and skepticism he is known for to an unusual subject. The book How Consciousness Changes beautifully updates and synthesizes scientific knowledge about psychedelics, with a very distinctive approach. " - Science Magazine

" Pollan keeps you turning the pages. clearly and confidently. " - New York Times

" After 50 years on the sidelines, psychedelics are making a comeback. We are incredibly lucky to have Michael Pollan as our guide to their renaissance. With humility, humor, and deep humanity, he guides us through the history, characters, and science of these " mind-manifesting" compounds. Along the way, he navigates the mysteries of consciousness, spirituality, and the mind. Pollan brilliantly demonstrates here for all of us who wonder what it means to be fully human, or even what it means to be. " - Thomas R. Insel, MD, former director of the National Institute of Mental Health, and co-founder and president of Mindstrong Health.

" Pollan' s deeply researched chronicle will enlighten those who think of psychedelics mainly as a punchline in a Woodstock generation joke, and encourage the growing number of those who see them as a potential antidote to our often stubbornly limited mindsets. " engaging and informative. " - Boston Globe