By Michael Pollan — 2018
Soon after I set out to write a book about psychedelics, it became obvious what I would have to do: Trip, and then write about what it was like.
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Once considered the quintessential party drug, MDMA (also known as “ecstasy,” “X,” or “molly”) is now experiencing a surge of interest in a completely different area: psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a synthetic drug with potent psychedelic properties. Commonly known as acid, it was originally derived from compounds found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye.
In the deep space of the psychedelic experience exists a teaching on unity principle and belonging with the earth.
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As Western medicine brings psychedelics into mainstream use, a growing movement is innovating new business models grounded in reciprocity and inclusion.
I'm no psychedelic prude. I reported on, and applauded, the resurgence of research into psychedelics in my 2003 book Rational Mysticism. I participated in a peyote ceremony of the Native American Church, and I advocated legalization of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
Over the last decades, iboga has developed a cult following in the United States and in Europe, where it is known as ibogaine. In the West, the psychedelic is being promoted as a potential one-shot cure for treating addiction to heroin and other drugs.
A neurological explanation of NDEs remains elusive.
Despite parallels, there are profound differences between DMT and NDEs.
Psychedelic drug phenomena do not justify radical new views of reality.
Research shows hallucinogen found in traditional medicine ayahuasca produces similar feelings to those felt by people during near-death experiences.