Today, I want to tell you about a book I just finished. Typically, I like to actually read books, but lately I have been getting into audiobooks because I can finish books faster through this method. Not that fast is good, but I can’t get enough of reading and always want more, so this allows me to cover more territory.
The book that I listened to is called “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence”, and it was written by Michael Pollan. The depression part of the title caught my attention at first, but overall all it ended up being a broad look at the history, neuroscience, and hope that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin may bring to mental illnesses such as depression.
Even as a pharmacist, I was vaguely aware of these drugs, and I have always assumed they were “bad” and illegal. However, after hearing this book, I understand that there is a lot more to the story of psychedelics. In fact, there is research going on today that suggests these drugs might be helpful for some of the topics mentioned in the title. There is still a long way to go, but psychedelics have shown some promise, and may be another treatment option for depression in the future.
What do you think about this information? Is it possible these drugs may be helpful? Does it seem too “out there” in terms of a treatment option? Would you consider using psychedelics such as LSD if you have depression and research indicates that it may help? To me, this was an eye opening book, and I encourage people to at least consider taking a look at it. It may seem ahead of its time right now, but it also might end up being an important tool for treating depression.