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“How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence” by Michael Pollan
https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/
“Fire in the Hole!: The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success” by Bob Parsons
https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Hole-Traumatic-Explosive-Success/dp/1637632983
In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Oprah and bestselling author Michael Pollan discuss the potential of psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms) and LSD as a benefit to help relieve symptoms of PTSD, OCD, anxiety, addiction, or depression. Michael’s 2018 book, "How to Change Your Mind", was a watershed moment in the rising national conversation about the use of psychedelics in guided therapy.
Michael describes his own psychedelic experiences as well as additional guests, including GoDaddy founder Bob Parsons, who share their stories about how psychedelics helped them improve their mental well-being, cope with trauma and grief and achieve spiritual transcendence. Pollan taught for many years at UC Berkeley and is currently a professor teaching creative writing at Harvard.
00:00:00 - Welcome Michael Pollan
00:02:14 - Michael Pollan’s book “How to Change Your Mind”
00:03:00 - Oprah is seeing a shift in the conversation around psychedelics
00:04:23 - How Michael Pollan got interested in psychedelics
00:05:50 - The history of psychedelic research
00:07:00 - Who should not take psychedelics
00:08:17 - How psychedelic therapy is done
00:09:25 - Michael’s story of a healing psychedelic experience
00:13:28 - How psychedelics affect your ego
00:15:50 - Treating PTSD with psychedelics
00:16:25 - Welcome Bob who has struggled with PTSD
00:18:50 - Why Bob decided to try psychedelics for his PTSD
00:22:40 - How Bob experienced love differently
00:26:20 - Welcome Dave and Reagan who sought help for trauma and OCD
00:28:57 - How important is using a guide to your experience?
00:29:39 - Reagan tried psychedelics for her OCD and anxiety
00:31:33 - Do psychedelics help disorders?
00:34:26 - Will this become mainstream?
00:39:00 - What is microdosing?
00:40:45 - Welcome Natalie who is struggling with grief
00:44:38 - Are there legal ways to undergo psychedelic therapy?
00:46:00 - Religious vs. psychedelic experiences
This episode is brought to you in part by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/OPRAHPODCAST
For more information on The Roland R. Griffiths, Ph.D. Professorship Fund, Psychedelic Research On Secular Spirituality And Well-Being - https://griffithsfund.org
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