How to Change Your Mind
by Michael Pollan · first published 2018
69% recommend29% neutral2% critical
Why HN recommends it
Accessible, journalistic primer on the history and renewed science of psychedelic therapy, mixing research with the author's own experiences; suited to newcomers and skeptics wanting background on risks and benefits.
Common criticism: Some find it one-sided, favoring pro-psychedelic arguments over the downsides
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
When Michael Pollan set out to research how LSD and psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) are being used to provide relief to people suffering from difficult-to-treat conditions such as depression, addiction and anxiety, he did not intend to write what is undoubtedly his most personal book. But upon discovering how these remarkable substances are improving the lives not only of the mentally ill but also of healthy people coming to grips with the challenges of everyday life, he decided to explore the landscape of the mind in the first person as well as the third. Thus began a si
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2011–2022The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide
James Fadiman
Recommended by 14 · mentioned by 1514 recommend · 15 mention14 recommend · 1514 recommend
2019–2020The psychedelic experience; a manual based on the Tibetan book of the dead
Timothy Leary
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 21 recommend · 2 mention1 recommend · 21 recommend
2009–2025LSD My Problem Child
Albert Hoffman Ph.D.
Recommended by 9 · mentioned by 189 recommend · 18 mention9 recommend · 189 recommend
2019The New Silk Roads
Peter Frankopan
Recommended by 2 · mentioned by 22 recommend · 2 mention2 recommend · 22 recommend
2020–2023Opium for the masses
Jim Hogshire
Recommended by 1 · mentioned by 31 recommend · 3 mention1 recommend · 31 recommend
2018–2019The World As It Is
Ben Rhodes
Recommended by 3 · mentioned by 33 recommend · 3 mention3 recommend · 33 recommend
“How to change your mind” by Michael Pollen. I read a lot of books, and this is one that caused a change in my life. The succinct summary is that psychedelics are misunderstood and there is more and more research showing their…
on “Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021?” ↗Before you go spending thousands of dollars on ketamine infusions I urge you to do two things: 1. read Michael Pollan’s book, How to Change Your Mind 2. Look into the process of cultivating your own mushrooms at home - it’s ultimately very easy to produce your own medicine
on “Ketamine therapy is going mainstream” ↗Michael Pollan: How to Change Your Mind [1] Not just about an utterly fascinating topic (psychadelic drugs), in terms of history (LSD turning from a scientific wonder drug to illegal), his personal experiences, and the neuroscience behind…
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗…mind wants to explore it, and the other part doesn’t, which creates a lot of inner conflict. I honestly don’t know what I’m supposed to do with two parts of my brain fighting with itself. Side note: How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan is a fantastic book and worth a read.
on “A Psychedelic Renaissance” ↗If you are interested in learning more about psychedelics, and their context in 2018, I'd recommend UC Berkeley Professor Michael Pollan's latest book "How to Change Your Mind". It is a really nice, easy to read primer on the topic, and his experience with psychedelics. He approaches the topic with a scientific yet accessible tone, and he asks and answers lots of good questions.…
on “Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use” ↗Submission note: the title is admittedly sort of click bait-y, but the content is not. I've been making my way through the book from which this is excerpted (Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind) and have been really enjoying it. Previous discussion of the book here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17087961
on “Michael Pollan on Psilocybe Azurescens” ↗I recommend reading "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan if you're all interested in the history and details of psychedelics. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36613747-how-to-change-y... Based my reading of that, what these researchers…
on “Psychedelics could heal brain cells in people suffering from depression: study” ↗Books finished in June: "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan. A fascinating look into the world and science of psychedelic drugs. "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clarke. One of, if not Clarke's best. It's short for a sci-fi book and almost…
on “Ask HN: 2018 Summer Reading List?” ↗I read over 40 nonfiction books this year. Here are some favorites. Life-changing: Why We Sleep Page-turner: How to Change Your Mind Most useful: The Consolations of Philosophy On startups: Troublemakers: Silicon Valley's Coming of Age Random but amazing: Shadow Divers (true story about deep sea diving - think Into Thin Air)
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗I highly recommend How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan. He convincingly illustrates how detrimental to serious research were Leary and his penchant for the spectacular.
on “The Unified Theory of Ram Dass” ↗Read How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan!! https://www.amazon.com/Change-Your-Mind-Consciousness-Transc...
on “Johns Hopkins Launches Center for Psychedelic Research” ↗I'm very optimistic as well. My family has hard-to-treat depression and there's a lot of reason to be optimistic about psilocybin. Michael Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind" was a fantastic read. It only makes me wonder what other possibilities have been out there but banned and therefore unavailable for study and experimentation. Luckily the days of censoring and hoarding…
on “Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study” ↗…of therapies was going to be a good idea in my specific case. Luckily HN is a quite open community and this has been discussed several times so please use the search to read more about it. The book "How to Change Your Mind" by Michael Pollan is a must read if you want to convince yourself and give it a try. I can also recommend r/microdosing and r/psychonauts. Please do a lot of research before you decide to take this…
on “Surviving Depression” ↗…in self examination and course-charting but like all powerful tools can also be quite chaotic in the wrong circumstances. I’d recommend reading a bit on Erowid[0] or checking out Michael Pollan’s book How To Change Your Mind. In general it’s important to trip with people you trust, in a safe place you are ideally somewhat familiar with, and with as open eyes about your current mental landscape (what’ve you been excited about?…
on “Seattle Votes to Decriminalize Psilocybin and Similar Substances” ↗How To Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan
on “Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?” ↗