Michael Pollan: Could Psychedelics Solve the Mental Health Crisis? #69

CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing. Many of you will know Michael Pollan as a world-renowned food writer but now he has written a book that brings psychedelic drugs into mainstream consciousness. But why? Long before they gained a bad reputation, it seemed to researchers, scientists and doctors as though psychedelics were going to be the new wonder drugs for mental illnesses. They promised to treat conditions like alcoholism, depression and anxiety without the side effects associated with conventional drugs. But unfortunately, in the 1960’s, there was a backlash against the counter-culture who had embraced psychedelics and all further research was banned. Now, decades later, the world is in the grip of a mental health crisis. But thankfully, there is a glimmer of hope – research has recently begun again on the amazing potential of LSD, DMT and psilocybin. This week, I sit down with Michael Pollan to take a deep dive into this extraordinary world. We explore the remarkable history of psychedelics, the findings of the current research in this area and Michael shares his own personal experiences with psychedelics under the guidance of therapists. Whilst larger scale studies are still needed, we talk about how therapist-guided psychedelic drug therapy could potentially change the way healthcare is delivered for mental illnesses – perhaps meaning a resolution of not only symptoms for patients, but also in many cases, the fundamental root causes. Finally, we discuss the potential wider use of psychedelics as a tool for social change. This really is a gripping and eye-opening conversation – I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Show notes available at drchatterjee.com/changeyourmind Click here for Michael's book How to Change your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics. Click here for Dr Chatterjee's books The 4 Pillar Plan and The Stress Solution. Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/ Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/ Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk

Actionable Insights

1. Psychedelic Therapy for Mental Illness

For individuals struggling with mental distress or illness (e.g., cancer-related anxiety/depression, alcoholism, depression, anxiety, OCD, eating disorders, addiction), structured psychedelic drug therapy under the guidance of therapists offers a potential paradigm shift. This approach aims to resolve symptoms and address fundamental root causes by temporarily suppressing the ego and making destructive beliefs more amenable to change.

2. Cultivate Ego Dissolution & New Perspectives

Engage in experiences (like high-dose psychedelic trips under supervision, or deep meditation) that can lead to ego dissolution, allowing one to realize they are not identical to their ego. This provides a “sample of a new way of thinking” and a healthy distance from the ego’s chatter, which can be reinforced through continued practice.

3. Question Ingrained Beliefs & Narratives

Actively challenge and question the beliefs and narratives about oneself and the world, especially those that are destructive or lead to “mental stuckness” and loops of rumination. This “perspectival shift” can lead to profound changes in behavior and outlook.

4. Adopt a Whole Food, Plant-Focused Diet

Prioritize eating real, whole foods and avoid ultra-processed, “edible food-like substances.” Consume “not too much” food, and structure your diet around “mostly plants,” making meat an occasional flavoring rather than a primary component, as this approach is strongly linked to health and well-being.

5. Implement Regular Meditation Practice

Incorporate meditation into your daily routine (e.g., using an app like Calm) to improve mood, enhance sleep quality, reduce feelings of anxiety, and boost productivity. This serves as a “mindfulness” component for overall health.

6. Reinforce Psychedelic Insights with Meditation

After having a psychedelic experience, use meditation as a practice to cultivate and reinforce the insights gained, strengthening new brain connections and maintaining the “sample of a new way of thinking” in daily life.

7. Consider Nutrient-Dense Supplements (If Needed)

If it’s not always possible to obtain all necessary nutrition from food, consider taking a nutrient-dense whole food supplement (containing vitamins, minerals, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes) each morning as an “insurance policy” to meet nutritional needs.

8. Explore Microdosing (With Caution)

Some individuals use microdosing (a tenth of a normal psychedelic dose, every 3-4 days) to potentially improve wellbeing, relieve depression, and enhance productivity or creativity. However, it’s crucial to note that there is currently no robust scientific research to support these claims, and effects may be largely due to the powerful placebo effect.

9. Research Psychedelics and Mental Health

For those interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, especially for mental health conditions, follow ongoing research, consult reputable resources (e.g., michaelpollan.com), and seek out psychedelic societies for more information on trials and developments.