Why we love drugs

Vox's Sean Illing talks with author Michael Pollan about his new book This Is Your Mind on Plants, why some societies condemn drugs that other societies condone, what will happen as the war on drugs draws to a close, and whether or not taking psychedelic drugs can improve humankind.

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Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Michael Pollan (@michaelpollan), author

References: 

• This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan (Penguin; 2021)
• How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan (Penguin; 2018)
• The Natural Mind: A Revolutionary Approach to the Drug Problem by Andrew T. Weil (HMH; 2004)
• "Opium, Made Easy" by Michael Pollan (Harper's; Apr. 1997)
• "The intoxicating garden: Michael Pollan on growing psychoactive plants" by Michael Pollan (Financial Times; July 9)

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This episode was made by: 

• Producer: Erikk Geannikis
• Editor: Amy Drozdowska
• Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey
• VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson

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