2023 will be a pivotal year for psychedelic medicine. With MDMA and psilocybin expected to receive FDA approval (~90% likelihood) and the Oregon decriminalization initiative going into effect, there is a huge public awareness need for the benefits and risks of psychedelic therapy.
The Netflix mini-series, based on Michael Pollan’s book How To Change Your Mind, is a good starting place for the novice… and mor many of us, for our parents. He connects well with a generation that believed the misinformation campaign tied to the “war on drugs” and those who harbor a distrust of hippie countercultural associations.
We just hosted a gathering of researchers and philanthropists to brainstorm the unmet needs around this renaissance, and Pollan shared that his 2018 book that serves as the basis for the Netflix mini-series, has had a revival, and is currently the 16th best-selling book on Amazon. He is the master Pollanator!
We want to focus more energy on education, therapist training, affordable access, vets, risk reduction, and real-world data tracking for mishaps that will inevitably occur when treating certain treatment-resistant mental illnesses.
To that end, Pollan’s center at Berkeley has set up an information portal for those who are curious to learn more: Psychedelics.Berkeley.edu
The Netflix series might leave people a bit uncertain how to learn more about these powerful medicines. It’s another great resource to share.
Here is the 4-part Netflix mini-series and trailer: trailer.
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