The human desire for transcendence can be achieved through various means such as extreme sports, physical activity, fasting, dance, rhythm, and drumming. This deep desire for transcendence seems to be unique to humans, although some animals also seek altered states of consciousness. There has been a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for conditions like anxiety, depression, and addiction, which is surprising given the extensive research on psychedelics from the late 1940s to the mid-1960s.
For an extra dose of awe, we're revisiting our conversation with author Michael Pollan. He chats with Maya about the fascinating science of psychedelics and how plants have the power to change our minds. Michael also gives us a glimpse into his personal experience with psychedelic trips and tries to convince scaredy-cat Maya to give them a try.
For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.
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