“There’s a tremendous potential in psychedelics to relieve human suffering” - Michael Pollan

Why has it taken mainstream media so long to catch on to this? This has been known about for quite a few years.

Psilocybin containing mushrooms saved my life. The drastically reduced my benzodiazepine withdrawal allowing me to quite illicit pill addiction after three years of heavy daily use before it would had became medically dangerous to quit. It has also helped me survive depression.

Psychedelics are great, one time I was trippin on too much acid and I was staring at a fire pit and the fire pit turned into a mini world with little people and buildings, it was 2 years ago and it's such an experience to remember. would love to try out the magic mushrooms next, just don't know where to get them, so hard to come by

"The thing that’s so interesting about Psilocybin and DMT is that they’re so closely related to ordinary brain chemistry. The brain chemistry of all higher animals runs largely on serotonin. Serotonin is 5-hydroxytryptamine. DMT is N,N-dimethyltryptamine. Psilocybin is 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, but the phosphoryloxy group goes off as it crosses the blood-brain barrier, so it’s 4-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine. So, it’s very interesting that, these powerful, naturally occurring hallucinogens are in many cases only one molecule away from endogenous neurotransmitters. So, in answer to your question, it's possible to suggest that we’re as close as one mutation away from significant shifts in the chemical mix of the human brain. And, for instance, in the pineal gland, there’s an enzyme called adrenoglomerulotropin, which is chemically, 6-methoxy-tetrohydroharmaline. It’s very closely related to the harmine alkaloids in ayahuasca. Well, the persistent myth about ayahuasca is that it creates states of group-mindedness and telepathy. The original alkaloid was actually named telepathine until it was discovered that it was structurally similar to harmine, which had been previously described by, Hochstein & Paradies. Well. I'm not wedded to any of this. I just simply state the facts, and the facts are that, not DMT so much, which is pretty common in many plants and animals, but Psilocybin. Psilocybin is 4-phosphoryloxy-NN-dimethyltryptamine. Well now. This is slightly technical, but it is the only 4-phosphorylated indole on this planet. That's strange because the way biology works, is if you have a molecule useful in a biological system, then in other biological systems you will get that same molecule or tiny variants; methylated or o-methylated. So here is Psilocybin with the only hydrolation in the 4 position on the planet. Well now, they search for extraterrestrial life with radio telescopes waiting for a signal. Fine. Another way would be to search the biological inventory of this planet for something that looks like it did not evolve from the main, broad flow of animal and plant evolution. And if you do that, this 4-phosphorylated indole is sticking up there like a sore thumb. I'd like to see a paper about how many of these kinds of chemical anomalies are known to exist on this earth in life. And what's the explanation for this. I've never seen anybody discuss this kind of thing. And yet, to my mind the Psilocybin molecule is as artificial as a Coke bottle. As it appears in nature. So.. If you'll just inventory nature. You would pick this molecule up and say. Well now.. What is, this molecule?.. - Terence Mckenna

Thank you for having Michael Pollan His approach is level headed and compelling

I tried magic truffles in Amsterdam. I was tripping alone in my hotel room. He's right, it is really is a profound experience

I like Pollan. He knows how to talk to the general public because he's pedagogical and square. He doesn't have that "suspect" connection to the topic like someone who's already defined as representatives of the pro argument, something a lot of people will use against them no matter how scientific they may be. He also seems to be genuinely wanting to pitch in with his honest perspective, and I think it may just be exactly what we need. A guy like Pollan will typically reach a lot more of the kind of people who, despite everything, are still on the fence. I have some trepidations and principled axes to grind, specifically with regards to the hostility to recreational use. But considering how cumbersome the process has been, I think maybe we can't but move this one step forward at a time however small that step may be. Even if it gives people new associations that must be fought again further down the line, it's still progress if it helps people. Considering how strong and ruthless the forces are that are constantly working to move it back again, we have to be pragmatic. I could be wrong though, and that's why it's a little scary.

This was a good video, the gallery background & conversation was such a success for me as a viewer.

Great video content, very interesting topic. Looking forward to the next one...!

The part on the war on drugs. 10:30 onwards. Incredibly eye opening.

Brilliant and informative. If only the people with power to change things would accept this view point instead of just dismissing the idea ( and science ) that smoking some weed or eating some shrooms might not be the end of humanity and civilised society but may in fact improve it. Fun fact: The UK is one of, if not the biggest, exporters of cannabis with connections to sitting MPs at time of writing. Yet it remains illegal in the country and users are demonized and criminalised. If that's not hypocritical then I don't know what is.

I had the same experience with giving up smoking, where I just felt myself and realized I was hurting my body. This was with Microdosing. Also making me exercise and stretch more .

Great interview... 👍🏻

Fascinating! Now I want to know about food 😊

Even the act of eating at the dinner table with friends and family gives rise to profound biochemical changes in our body and brain.

Very thoughtful and interesting conversation. Thank you for this great content

27:00 If you have tea or coffee after study it will help you retain the information

👍🏻🍻 Interesting discussion

"Food for thought"!

Pollan is such a great articulator. The Mush Rush has started, the Shroom Boom is coming. Get ready: ATAI, AWKN, CMPS, CYBN, FTRP, HAVN, MNMD, MYCO, NUMI, TRIP, TRYP, WESA. The paradigm is shifting. 🍄🚀🤑