The One You Feed

Michael Pollan on the New Science of Psychedelics and Consciousness


Listen Later

Michael Pollan is a writer whose books have topped the New York Times bestseller list time and time again. He teaches writing at Harvard and The University of California Berkley. In 2010, Time magazine name Michael Pollan one of the most influential people in the world. His books and essays have historically focused on our interaction with nature and this new book takes that theme to a whole other level. Its title gives you a great idea of what it's about: How to Change your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence. No matter how many interviews you've heard of Michael Pollan talking about his new book, our interview will offer you a fresh perspective, things he has not previously discussed and things that you may not have previously considered. The very last concept discussed in Eric's conversation with Michael Pollan will for sure leave you thinking anew.

 Visit oneyoufeed.net/transform to learn more about our personal transformation program.

 Our sponsor this week is Casper Mattress visit  www.casper.com/oneyoufeed and use the promo code theoneyoufeed for $50 off your purchase 

In This Interview, Michael Pollan and I Discuss...

  • His book, How to Change your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
  • How fear is a big motivator in people's action and inaction
  • That your obstacles are all between your ears
  • How consciousness is a big mystery
  • What the newest science tells us about psychedelics
  • The way psychedelics affect us by allowing us to look at normal, everyday consciousness in new ways
  • The default mode network going quiet during a psychedelic trip
  • The ego, idea of self in the brain and our life
  • Psychedelics impact on the sense of self
  • The experience of the dissolution of the ego
  • The mind-expanding power of mystical experience
  • The theory of the entropic brain
  • How the brain works to reduce uncertainty and surprise
  • The narrowing of consciousness by rigid thinking
  • The stories our brains tell us
  • Insufficient entropy in the brain perhaps leading to mental illnesses
  • Psychedelics disordering the brain
  • The similarities between a tripping brain on psychedelics and a meditative brain
  • An ego-free state of consciousness through the use of psychedelics
  • The mistake of seeing spirituality as the opposite of materialism
  • The opposite of spiritual being egotistical
  • The ego keeps us from having a deep connection with everything around us
  • How psychedelics are "wasted on the young"
  • That those in the 2nd half of their lives may benefit most from the use of psychedelics
  • The importance of breaking the rigidity that growing older brings
  • How psychedelics can help us make peace with our death
  • Psilocybin benefiting those facing imminent death with great fear
  • How psychedelics and a psychodynamic approach are not opposites
  • "Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy"
  • Positive trauma in the brain
  • Administering an experience rather than a drug
  • The importance of set and setting when taking a psychedelic
  • How a spiritual experience alone doesn't make a spiritual life
  • That ego is nothing but a contraction
  •  

    Please Support The Show with a Donation


    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The One You FeedBy Eric Zimmer

    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    2,362 ratings


    More shows like The One You Feed

    View all
    On Being with Krista Tippett by On Being Studios

    On Being with Krista Tippett

    10,401 Listeners

    Tara Brach by Tara Brach

    Tara Brach

    10,442 Listeners

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

    Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

    1,840 Listeners

    This Is Actually Happening by Wondery

    This Is Actually Happening

    10,385 Listeners

    Good Life Project by Jonathan Fields / Acast

    Good Life Project

    3,270 Listeners

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield by Be Here Now Network

    Heart Wisdom with Jack Kornfield

    1,442 Listeners

    Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

    Therapy Chat

    684 Listeners

    Untangle by Untangle

    Untangle

    833 Listeners

    The Vanished Podcast by Wondery

    The Vanished Podcast

    15,353 Listeners

    10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

    10% Happier with Dan Harris

    12,513 Listeners

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

    Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

    2,467 Listeners

    American History Tellers by Wondery

    American History Tellers

    19,004 Listeners

    Business Wars by Wondery

    Business Wars

    12,842 Listeners

    Dr. Death by Wondery

    Dr. Death

    87,909 Listeners

    American Scandal by Wondery

    American Scandal

    18,921 Listeners

    The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos by Pushkin Industries

    The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

    14,397 Listeners

    Dying For Sex by Wondery

    Dying For Sex

    13,244 Listeners

    Mind & Life by Mind & Life Institute

    Mind & Life

    267 Listeners

    Guru: Don't Cross Kat by Wondery

    Guru: Don't Cross Kat

    6,996 Listeners

    The Gathering Room Podcast by Martha Beck

    The Gathering Room Podcast

    658 Listeners

    Against The Odds by Wondery

    Against The Odds

    7,732 Listeners

    We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

    We Can Do Hard Things

    41,337 Listeners

    Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen by Elise Loehnen

    Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

    1,032 Listeners

    The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

    The Mel Robbins Podcast

    20,494 Listeners