Michael Pollan

a sense of isolation, separation, you know, you're encased in your ego. And so I think we have to educate medical professionals that spiritual approaches have medical value. And that's not the way they think.

And there's one other difficulty about incorporating this in our medical system. And that is that, Psychedelic therapy is not just about taking a psychedelic. It really should be called and often is psychedelic assisted psychotherapy because the support of the guide or the therapist is critical to its success. And the FDA, which regulates drugs in our country, only regulates drugs.

And there's one other difficulty about incorporating this in our medical system. And that is that, Psychedelic therapy is not just about taking a psychedelic. It really should be called and often is psychedelic assisted psychotherapy because the support of the guide or the therapist is critical to its success. And the FDA, which regulates drugs in our country, only regulates drugs.

And there's one other difficulty about incorporating this in our medical system. And that is that, Psychedelic therapy is not just about taking a psychedelic. It really should be called and often is psychedelic assisted psychotherapy because the support of the guide or the therapist is critical to its success. And the FDA, which regulates drugs in our country, only regulates drugs.

They don't regulate therapy. So how are they going to deal with this thing? It's a square peg in a round hole. And that's going to be a challenge. I think we can work through it.

They don't regulate therapy. So how are they going to deal with this thing? It's a square peg in a round hole. And that's going to be a challenge. I think we can work through it.

They don't regulate therapy. So how are they going to deal with this thing? It's a square peg in a round hole. And that's going to be a challenge. I think we can work through it.

Yeah, I mean, I think if you're gonna use a high dose of psychedelics, you need to use a guide. I mean, people can take a couple of mushrooms and wander in the woods and they'll be fine. But at a high dose, there are risks. I mean, we should be realistic about it. Some people do have serious psychological problems. bad trips that last a very long time, guides can help you work through that.

Yeah, I mean, I think if you're gonna use a high dose of psychedelics, you need to use a guide. I mean, people can take a couple of mushrooms and wander in the woods and they'll be fine. But at a high dose, there are risks. I mean, we should be realistic about it. Some people do have serious psychological problems. bad trips that last a very long time, guides can help you work through that.

Yeah, I mean, I think if you're gonna use a high dose of psychedelics, you need to use a guide. I mean, people can take a couple of mushrooms and wander in the woods and they'll be fine. But at a high dose, there are risks. I mean, we should be realistic about it. Some people do have serious psychological problems. bad trips that last a very long time, guides can help you work through that.

They give you very specific advice when things get very dark, because I think we should not underplay the fact that these experiences can be very challenging. And that can be productive. But in the process, you can encounter demons.

They give you very specific advice when things get very dark, because I think we should not underplay the fact that these experiences can be very challenging. And that can be productive. But in the process, you can encounter demons.

They give you very specific advice when things get very dark, because I think we should not underplay the fact that these experiences can be very challenging. And that can be productive. But in the process, you can encounter demons.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

That's right. And the guides know exactly what to tell you to get through that. I mean, they're very specific. They call them flight instructions. And they'll tell you, if you see a monster, don't turn and run away. Go right up to it and say, what do you have to teach me? Why are you in my mind? And you will pass through that dark into a lighter place.

That's right. And the guides know exactly what to tell you to get through that. I mean, they're very specific. They call them flight instructions. And they'll tell you, if you see a monster, don't turn and run away. Go right up to it and say, what do you have to teach me? Why are you in my mind? And you will pass through that dark into a lighter place.

That's right. And the guides know exactly what to tell you to get through that. I mean, they're very specific. They call them flight instructions. And they'll tell you, if you see a monster, don't turn and run away. Go right up to it and say, what do you have to teach me? Why are you in my mind? And you will pass through that dark into a lighter place.

And that attitude of curiosity rather than fear and anxiety changes everything.