How to Change Your Mind is a four-part documentary series that appears on Netflix and is based on the book of the same name by author Michael Pollan. Each episode covers a different aspect of how psychedelics are used to improve mental health and how they can help with trauma, depression, and addiction.
In the first episode, viewers learn about the origins of LSD and its role in the counterculture during the 1960s, and its role in the CIA’s Cold War experiments.
The second episode dives into the history of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance found in magic mushrooms, and explores its spiritual and medicinal effects.
The third episode focuses on MDMA, or ecstasy, analyzing its effects on both ravers and scientists, as well as the passionate advocates working to make it legal.
The fourth and final episode focuses on mescaline, the psychoactive molecule found in San Pedro and peyote cacti, and the fight Indigenous communities have had to make to protect its use as a sacred medicine.
Type: Documentary Series
Director(s): Lucy Walker, Alison Elwood
Runtime: 4 episodes
People
Michael PollanMichael Pollan is a prolific writer that has shaped our opinions on food (production, consumption, ethics) for decades. He is a professor at UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and Harvard. His book How to Change Your Mind has given the psychedelics renaissance a welcome boost.
Rick Doblin
Rick Doblin Ph.D. is the founder of MAPS. His persistent work since 1986 has been one of the main drivers behind why psychedelics (including MDMA) are now coming back to therapy.
Ann Shulgin
Ann Shulgin worked with psychedelics as a therapist when they were still legal. She is known for writing - together with her husband Sasha Shulgin - PIHKAL and TIHKAL.
Peter Gasser
Peter Gasser has done work on LSD and life-threatening diseases in Switzerland since 2008. He is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and study lead, working in private practice.
Bill Richards
William A. 'Bill' Richards is one of the pioneering psychedelic researchers (Johns Hopkins), a teacher at CIIS, and clinician in private practice.
Paul Stamets
Paul Stamets is a mycologist (the study of fungi) who is known for his advocacy for the usefulness of mushrooms, amongst those also with psilocybin. He also owns a company and can be found speaking about fungi at places like TED.
Roland Griffiths
Roland R. Griffiths is one of the strongest voices in psychedelics research. With over 400 journal articles under his belt and as one of the first researchers in the psychedelics renaissance, he has been a vital part of the research community.
Robin Carhart-Harris
Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris is the Founding Director of the Neuroscape Psychedelics Division at UCSF. Previously he led the Psychedelic group at Imperial College London.
Michael Mithoefer
Michael Mithoefer is a psychiatrist and a Clinical Investigator and acting Medical Director of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation.
Companies
MAPSMAPS stands for Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, it's the front runner in making psychedelics a legal way to use (and improve) in therapy.