Nonfiction

This Is Your Mind on Plants

This Is Your Mind on Plants

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  • Create Date：2022-07-24 03:19:55
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Michael Pollan
  • ISBN：0593296923
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Summary

The instant New York Times bestseller A Washington Post Notable Book One of NPR's Best Books of the Year

"Expert storytelling 。 。 。 [Pollan] masterfully elevates a series of big questions about drugs， plants and humans that are likely to leave readers thinking in new ways。" -- New York Times Book Review

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Michael Pollan， a radical challenge to how we think about drugs， and an exploration into the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants--and the equally powerful taboos。

Of all the things humans rely on plants for--sustenance， beauty， medicine， fragrance， flavor， fiber--surely the most curious is our use of them to change consciousness: to stimulate or calm， fiddle with or completely alter， the qualities of our mental experience。 Take coffee and tea: People around the world rely on caffeine to sharpen their minds。 But we do not usually think of caffeine as a drug， or our daily use as an addiction， because it is legal and socially acceptable。 So， then， what is a "drug"？ And why， for example， is making tea from the leaves of a tea plant acceptable， but making tea from a seed head of an opium poppy a federal crime？

In This Is Your Mind on Plants， Michael Pollan dives deep into three plant drugs--opium， caffeine， and mescaline--and throws the fundamental strangeness， and arbitrariness， of our thinking about them into sharp relief。 Exploring and participating in the cultures that have grown up around these drugs while consuming （or， in the case of caffeine， trying not to consume） them， Pollan reckons with the powerful human attraction to psychoactive plants。 Why do we go to such great lengths to seek these shifts in consciousness， and then why do we fence that universal desire with laws and customs and fraught feelings？

In this unique blend of history， science， and memoir， as well as participatory journalism， Pollan examines and experiences these plants from several very different angles and contexts， and shines a fresh light on a subject that is all too often treated reductively--as a drug， whether licit or illicit。 But that is one of the least interesting things you can say about these plants， Pollan shows， for when we take them into our bodies and let them change our minds， we are engaging with nature in one of the most profound ways we can。 Based in part on an essay published almost twenty-five years ago， this groundbreaking and singular consideration of psychoactive plants， and our attraction to them through time， holds up a mirror to our fundamental human needs and aspirations， the operations of our minds， and our entanglement with the natural world。

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Reviews

Eddie ，

Am interesting history of three psychedelic plant substances。 There are many reasons why these substances have been banned but their effects on humans is only one of those reasons。

Rev ，

Very interesting read to be sure。 I read this one after seeing it on a shelf at work because it seemed like I'd be interested in as someone who likes reading nonfiction on a variety of topics。 This book did not disappoint， and it took me until around the end of the first section to realize why the writing was so familiar and it's cause the author wrote The Omnivore's Dilemma。The book looks at three different psychoactive substances， two of which are illegal in the United States and the other of Very interesting read to be sure。 I read this one after seeing it on a shelf at work because it seemed like I'd be interested in as someone who likes reading nonfiction on a variety of topics。 This book did not disappoint， and it took me until around the end of the first section to realize why the writing was so familiar and it's cause the author wrote The Omnivore's Dilemma。The book looks at three different psychoactive substances， two of which are illegal in the United States and the other of which is so regularly used that most people don't think of it as a psychoactive substance or consider their daily consumption of it an addiction。I really enjoyed every section of this book。 Another review said it read like a memoir but honestly I think that worked in the book's favor considering the subject matter。 It'd be a totally different book if the author didn't speak from his personal experience with this various plants。 The opium section especially is so tied to his own experiences during the nineties， at the height of the war on drugs。 The entire book would change if that changed imo。All in all， solid and enjoyable read with an interesting dive into the psychoactive substances that come from plants。 。。。more

Connie ，

Everything you need to know about poppies， caffeine， and mescaline。

Shirley Jodouin ，

Educational and informative。 Puts a better understanding and perspective on some of the plant medicine。

Jillybb ，

Fine if drugs are your thing。

QuintonM ，

In my opinion， the most interesting part of this book is the color that he gives to the "war on drugs" timeline。 As a reader， history pieces usually fail to keep me engaged but even with the large amount of historical references he put in the book I kept turning the page。 The only knock I have on the book is that the tone shifts pretty dramatically between sections。 All in all a good read。 In my opinion， the most interesting part of this book is the color that he gives to the "war on drugs" timeline。 As a reader， history pieces usually fail to keep me engaged but even with the large amount of historical references he put in the book I kept turning the page。 The only knock I have on the book is that the tone shifts pretty dramatically between sections。 All in all a good read。 。。。more

Jacquie ，

I had the feeling that some of the topics had been covered by Michael Pollan's previous books and by other authors -- ie the book Seeds of Change。 However， I did like the first two sections of the book， poppies and opium， and caffeine （coffee and tea）， but I think the third section was either lost or rushed， or both。 The pandemic had come into force by then， and I think like most people， the author was more than discombobulated by it。 The book just ended。 I mean， ended。 I turned the page， expect I had the feeling that some of the topics had been covered by Michael Pollan's previous books and by other authors -- ie the book Seeds of Change。 However， I did like the first two sections of the book， poppies and opium， and caffeine （coffee and tea）， but I think the third section was either lost or rushed， or both。 The pandemic had come into force by then， and I think like most people， the author was more than discombobulated by it。 The book just ended。 I mean， ended。 I turned the page， expecting more and it was like dropping off a cliff。 。。。more

Brianna Boothby ，

I love Michael Pollan and especially love the fact that he narrates his own audiobooks

Deisy Gysi ，

What an amazing journey though opioid， coffeine and muscaline！

Eleanor Jude ，

I will read whatever this man writes， absolutely delightful。

Jenny Boyce ，

2。5 stars。 Enjoyed other Pollan books in the past but this was too much memoir and not enough science for my tastes。 Not a bad read but not what I was expecting。

Nancy Lewis ，

Michael Pollan gives us another fascinating exploration of plants and our relationship with them。

Nick Russo ，

More of a 3。5。 This improved with each new segment。 The first on opium and it’s central “gardening conflict” was further illuminating on how ridiculous the “War on Drugs” was， but ultimately a bit annoying。 The second on caffeine was repetitive， but very interesting when exploring the historical timeline that led to widespread consumption of it。 And the last on mescaline was absolutely brilliant， and definitely inspired me to do further reading on Native Americans/Indians。

Jules ，

A pleasant read about the symbiosis between plants and our minds， from one of the smoothest non-fiction writers I know。 Pollan likes to indulge in claims that are a little too big for journalistic writing， but I enjoy his first-person documentary narration and his personal and research adventures into the world of mind-altering plants。 Why do some get demonized and some integrated into our lives at an intimate level？ It all seems so arbitrary， but it's interesting to read how it actually happens A pleasant read about the symbiosis between plants and our minds， from one of the smoothest non-fiction writers I know。 Pollan likes to indulge in claims that are a little too big for journalistic writing， but I enjoy his first-person documentary narration and his personal and research adventures into the world of mind-altering plants。 Why do some get demonized and some integrated into our lives at an intimate level？ It all seems so arbitrary， but it's interesting to read how it actually happens。 "The war on drugs is in truth a war on some drugs， their enemy status the result of historical accident， cultural prejudice and institutional imperative"。A lot of this book is about living through and recovering from the American war on drugs from the '80s that affected the American population so disproportionately。 Pollan juxtaposes the War on Drugs with the rise of legal prescription relievers that kicked off the opioid crisis， that again affected the american population so disproportionately。 The last chapter explains how the war on drugs affected the Native Americans access to peyote for ceremonial services。The caffeine chapter is very satisfying to read。 It always irks me that people don't realise they consume a mind-altering drug daily and have built an entire culture around it。 Pollan likes to suggest that， in fact， all culture is built around it， when you look at the role of coffee bars as a hive for intellectual thought in both Arabic and then later in European cultures。 （He vaguely mentions the role of tea in Eastern cultures）。 Would there be an Age of Reason without coffee？ Probably， but well that's just less fun to imagine， isn't it？Additionally， I loved reading about how plants that produce caffeine get more regular visits from bees and other pollinators， because the caffeine helps them remember where the plant is located， thus increasing "pollinator fidelity"。 Starbucks is making good profit out of our pollination。 。。。more

Anton Forte ，

Interesting perspectives on mind-altering plants。 Great writing， cool stories， interesting subject。

Augusta Dionysus ，

This book offers insight and research on three common "drugs" in our world， including the molecules and elements that give them their abilities， and delves into how they affect society and the culture of our world。 Focusing on opium， caffeine， and mescaline， Pollan creates three entertaining， informational sections on each of the drugs and how they factor into the bigger picture of life our planet。 I found this to be an intriguing read that expanded my worldview and changed my opinion on what we This book offers insight and research on three common "drugs" in our world， including the molecules and elements that give them their abilities， and delves into how they affect society and the culture of our world。 Focusing on opium， caffeine， and mescaline， Pollan creates three entertaining， informational sections on each of the drugs and how they factor into the bigger picture of life our planet。 I found this to be an intriguing read that expanded my worldview and changed my opinion on what we are often quick to label as illicit drugs。 Anyone interested in the medicinal or psychedelic capabilities of plants， and what this suggests about humanity would surely like this book。 It is truly an educational， eye-opening read。 。。。more

Janell ，

I'll admit I must not have had a great idea as to what this book was really about: because growing poppies for opium or mesclun for other drug purposes has never been on my radar。 I think I thought it was going to be more along the lines of Barbara Kingsolver's， "Animal， Vegetable， Miracle，" so it was kind of a disappointment。 Pollan's research seems thorough， but the subject matter didn't intrigue me all that much。 I'll admit I must not have had a great idea as to what this book was really about: because growing poppies for opium or mesclun for other drug purposes has never been on my radar。 I think I thought it was going to be more along the lines of Barbara Kingsolver's， "Animal， Vegetable， Miracle，" so it was kind of a disappointment。 Pollan's research seems thorough， but the subject matter didn't intrigue me all that much。 。。。more

Tyler Flory ，

This book almost has no reason being a book。 It’s really three long Atlantic or New Yorker articles put together。 Some elements we fascinating， but Pollan is always long winded， and is here again。 The facts about caffeine were interesting and made me happy that I’m a very infrequent user of it。 It was fine。

Victoria ，

As others have noted， Part 2: Caffeine is the strongest and most interesting part of the book。 Part 1 was moderately interesting。 I found Part 3 … cringey。

Eric T。 Voigt ，

More fun druggie action with Michael Pollan。 Mescaline sounds daunting but wonderful， poppy tea sounds like a fine time but not especially stimulating， and boy do I understand caffeine well enough。 "Caffeine" was my least favorite chapter， a little too historical。 "Opium" had the most intrigue， even if it had the least exciting trip account。 I don't know what other drugs Pollan will do; I sure hope he does more。 More fun druggie action with Michael Pollan。 Mescaline sounds daunting but wonderful， poppy tea sounds like a fine time but not especially stimulating， and boy do I understand caffeine well enough。 "Caffeine" was my least favorite chapter， a little too historical。 "Opium" had the most intrigue， even if it had the least exciting trip account。 I don't know what other drugs Pollan will do; I sure hope he does more。 。。。more

Nina Gao ，

I picked up this book， expecting it to be a historical/cultural/current social examination on the effect of psyco-active drugs from a plant origin， I did feel that the book barely hit this mark。I was not expecting how much of the book would discuss the author's attempts to try （or abstain， in the case of caffeine） the different compounds， nor did I care much for the challenges complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic。 （Yes， I get it。 It changed your plans。）Overall， it was an enjoyable listen。 Howeve I picked up this book， expecting it to be a historical/cultural/current social examination on the effect of psyco-active drugs from a plant origin， I did feel that the book barely hit this mark。I was not expecting how much of the book would discuss the author's attempts to try （or abstain， in the case of caffeine） the different compounds， nor did I care much for the challenges complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic。 （Yes， I get it。 It changed your plans。）Overall， it was an enjoyable listen。 However， I had heard key points of his study of caffeine in 2020 on NPR （feel free to look that up）， which was also a feature of his audiobook "Caffeine"。 In short - if you don't care much for opium poppies nor mesculine， I felt that the "Caffeine" audiobook （or even the NPR piece alone） would have sufficiently covered the topic instead of this book as an abbreviated yet just as scientifically satisfying book。 。。。more

Andy Mendrop ，

Interesting account of the cultivation and history of opium， caffeine and mescaline。 Read as an audiobook and always appreciate Michael pollan’s interasting narratives

Heather C ，

Quite an interesting read， and a bit different than I expected。 The author explores the medicinal（？） power of plants: poppies （opium）， coffee， tea （caffeine）， and peyote （mescaline）。

Claire Chatinover ，

a great historical story of our brains and the extensive healing power of plant medicine

Mindy ，

This is the third Michael Pollan book I’ve read and I enjoy his take on food and peoples relationships with it as well as for this book the other substances that we ingest。

Coraline ，

4。00 starsThis is 100% not what you would expect it would be。 The title suggests an incursion in the science and psychedelic properties of plants， subjects I was genuinely interested in。 Yet， less than 5 minutes into the book I understood that my expectations were far from reality。 This book is more of a memoir with parts of （American） history glimpses。Though it was not what I had in mind when I started this book， nor was I naturally interested in what it had to offer， I found it compellingly in 4。00 starsThis is 100% not what you would expect it would be。 The title suggests an incursion in the science and psychedelic properties of plants， subjects I was genuinely interested in。 Yet， less than 5 minutes into the book I understood that my expectations were far from reality。 This book is more of a memoir with parts of （American） history glimpses。Though it was not what I had in mind when I started this book， nor was I naturally interested in what it had to offer， I found it compellingly interesting （partly because of the well-fitted voice and intonation， I strongly recommend the audio version） and I kept on listening until the very end。The book is divided into three parts， exploring opium， caffeine， and mescaline。 There are barely any scientific facts， but the detailed personal experiences and exploration of the author with the presented plants really compensated for that。 One aspect I was a bit surprised to encounter was the pro-drug consumption attitude and the parts about growing poppies， “opium， made easy”， the experiences with cacti etc。 It got me wondering and feeling curious to try all of that on my own， which I am not sure is quite the right outcome。 。。。more

Nicki Escudero ，

This was the first Michael Pollan book I've read， and I understand why the author has such an ardent following。 Pollan researches the history and cultural uses of three plant-based "drugs": opium， caffeine and mescaline。 He recounts his personal experiences with each one and dives deep into their use over centuries and how they've been classified today。This book is about more than how each substance affects our bodies and minds。 In the section on caffeine， Pollan illuminates what an integral rol This was the first Michael Pollan book I've read， and I understand why the author has such an ardent following。 Pollan researches the history and cultural uses of three plant-based "drugs": opium， caffeine and mescaline。 He recounts his personal experiences with each one and dives deep into their use over centuries and how they've been classified today。This book is about more than how each substance affects our bodies and minds。 In the section on caffeine， Pollan illuminates what an integral role imperialism and slavery played in bringing the substance to the masses。 In the section on mescaline， Pollan learns why the substance that comes from the peyote cactus is considered so sacred in Native American communities。The book touches on themes like the War on Drugs， the United States legal system， capitalism and consumerism， and independence and autonomy。 Should it be legal to arrest someone for growing poppy flowers in their garden？ Should non-Native Americans have access to a potentially life-saving substance？ Should coffee and tea come with higher prices due to how they're cultivated？ What criteria should deem one substance illicit versus licit？ I was at first confused why Pollan would focus on these three substances for his book （why not cannabis？） but now I'm grateful he did。 Each one， no matter how commercially available it is， comes with a fascinating back story。 Pollan's conversational and relatable narration makes complicated themes easy to understand。 I found this book intriguing from beginning to end。 。。。more

Natalie ，

Very interesting book， I listened to it and highly recommend it！

Bela ，

I was recommended to read only the first chapter of this book， on Opium。 Michael Pollan's prose is fantastic， but after finishing the first chapter， I had no real desire to continue reading。 I was recommended to read only the first chapter of this book， on Opium。 Michael Pollan's prose is fantastic， but after finishing the first chapter， I had no real desire to continue reading。 。。。more

Bryant H Johnson ，

It’s a solid book as you might expect from Pollan。 However， some of the content is repeated from previous materials like the Audible shirt， Caffeine。 It’s still been updated and refreshed， but if you’ve read other materials from him， much of this will be familiar。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=This Is Your Mind on Plants

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=This Is Your Mind on Plants&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,This Is Your Mind on Plants&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0