Otherworld Interview with Susannah Cahalan
Jun 23, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Susannah Cahalan, an acclaimed journalist and author of works like Brain on Fire, shares her personal journey through severe autoimmune encephalitis. She highlights the chaos of psychosis and the resilience necessary for recovery. Susannah also delves into the lives of Timothy and Rosemary Leary, offering insights into their impact on the psychedelic movement. Throughout, she weaves connections between mental health, creativity, and the exploration of altered states, all while reflecting on the significance of personal experiences in shaping reality.
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Susannah's Brain on Fire Story
- Susannah Cahalan experienced sudden psychosis, seizures, and was hospitalized for a month with misdiagnoses before being correctly diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.
- She lost many cognitive functions, including memory, walking, reading, and writing during this illness.
Out-of-Body Seizure Experience
- During her first seizure, Susannah Cahalan experienced an out-of-body experience, watching herself being put into an ambulance.
- She recalls this vividly and cannot explain this sensation scientifically.
Brain Changes and the Self
- Susannah Cahalan questions what constitutes the self when brain receptors linked to memory and behavior are disrupted.
- Changes in the brain can shift personality, challenging the boundary between old and new identity.
