Not what I was expecting... Thought this would be more scientific, with slants into botany, psychology, the actual effect of the human brain in plants. All this is there, but so very buried into a rambling narrative that can make for good reading, sure...but it's not what I was expecting this book to deliver. It's more a stream of consciousness narrative than an actual science-based book telling us about the effect of plants on the human brain

Apologies. I was unable to complete this book and submit a review at this time due to family bereavement. Thank you for giving me the opportunity of an advanced readers copy and I wish you all the best. Many thanks.

While this book wasn't entirely what I was expecting (as it had a more 'personal journal' feel to it at times) I was initially drawn to it in relation to understanding more about the impacts of coffee on my own mind.

Focussing on three 'plant drugs' being coffee (caffeine), opium, and mescaline (LSD type), the author challenges existing thoughts and perceptions alongside his own 'addictions' and much of the book is an introspective on the subject, albeit with interesting and knowledgeable facts.

Overall a good read for anyone looking to either further their knowledge around one of the three drugs, or for anyone who enjoys memoirs.

Possibly for some but definitely not for me.

2 ⭐️s as the author is clearly passionate aboit their work and gas put effort into this.

HOWEVER, i was expecting a scientific read about the uses of plants in medicines and everyday use. This is instead clearly by someone with an extensive history of drug use and experimentation, attempting to justify the negative aspects of illicit drug use and compare LSD to coffee. Its also VERY American, focusing on political "stands" to legalise drugs- whilst this isnt necessarily a bad thing, as a British reader it takes up too much of the content as it just isnt relatable. Not what i was expecting, not for me.

Not the most readable book I've ever picked up, but there were some interesting facts, and I did learn something about the plants discussed.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This Is Your Mind on Plants takes the form of three essays on different plant-based drugs: opium, mescaline, and caffeine. Each can be read pretty much separately and each has its own merits, so I’ll discuss them in turn - but overall I loved the book and recommend to anyone interested in plants and/or pharmacology. Firstly, I absolutely **loved** the opium essay and have recommended it to all my friends. It’s such a great insight into the height of the war on drugs, and the fact that this essay couldn’t be published for so many years out of fear of ruining Pollan’s life, that he actively had to hide all evidence of such a harmless activity as growing poppies… wow. It’s also so, so interesting the way poppies were treated as perfectly legal as long as you didn’t know they could be made into poppy tea, leading to the criminalisation of knowledge itself, as well as the attempts to disseminate false information to the general public (i.e. the idea that most poppies can’t produce opium, when in fact any garden variety can). My only critique is I wish there had been more about the juxtaposition of opium tea crackdowns vs the promotion of oxycontin and the opiate crisis in America, as I think that would be a really interesting conversation to dive into more.

The mescaline essay was also fascinating, handled a lot more sensitively than I necessarily expected. Pollan largely concludes that it’s important not to consume peyote not just for cultural appropriation reasons but also because the plant itself is highly endangered, so it has a material impact on people who need access to it. However, mescaline from other sources (more common cacti species and even more so synthetic mescaline) is ethically fine - it’s the plant, not the molecule, that’s sacred and endangered. I’d largely agree with him on this, although I give the idea of cultural appropriation slightly more weight than him perhaps. It was also fun to see the Aldous Huxley references in this section.

The coffee essay interested me less, but that’s mainly due to odd personal factors. The focus of this section was on Pollan’s struggle with quitting caffeine while writing the book, and how despite the normalisation of caffeine it’s actually a highly addictive drug. Personally, caffeine has almost no effect on me and never has (this is common in my family so seems to be some kind of genetic quirk). I might get stomach pain if I have too much, but it doesn’t wake me up or give me a ‘buzz’, regardless of the quantity I consume. I think this essay might work well for many readers, but I just felt slightly baffled because my experience is so different; it was completely unrelatable. That’s not really Pollan’s fault, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the book overall.

This was a fascinating read that predominantly focussed on three plants; opium, coffee and peyote. I learned a great deal; the coffee chapter was definitely my favourite. An interesting and worthwhile read.

Having long covid I am looking for anything to help me but this I didnt think was right for me apart from the section on caffeine. Perhaps I have just read too much on the subject lately

I was given a free copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

I really appreciate having been granted access to Michael Pollan's new book. I have read and loved several of his other books.
I watched part of the tv series, and find both that and the book fascinating.
It won't be my favourite, as it's a subject that's been explored already by many people so there wasn't an awful lot of new information.
But it's a solid read, i would recommend it .

The author takes you on an informative ride where you get to know about plants used to alter the states of mind or in simple words to get high. Written with rich insight, the writing does not get dry and that is what I appreciate because that is lost on so many informative non fiction book. I would recommend this book to anyone.

One word: Dull. A book about three incredibly interesting plants and their effects on the human mind. Or, so I thought when I decided to read it… Instead I was given 10% intriguing information, and 90% the life story of someone who I did not agree to read about. Overall, this was a relatively boring, unnecessary in personal details and not at all what I signed up for. Bleh.
I received an arc copy for review and leave this view voluntarily

A really interesting and informative read, at some points it was a challenge but over all a good read.

I would struggle to be able to review this book due to issues with the file/download. The issues stopped the flow of the book. The issues are:
- Missing words in the middle of sentences
- Stop/start sentences on different lines
- No clear definition of chapters.

Not sure if it was a file/download issue but there were lots of gaps, stop/starts which really ruined the flow.

I found this book a challenge. It starts with some bold claims regarding the rights and wrongs of just reading this sort of text In the eyes of the law and then tumbled into anecdotal evidence of the authors own experiences. The information within was interesting. It splits into focusing on three drugs; opium, caffeine and mescaline. The author is a writer and a gardener and quite happy to sample these plants for his own curiosity and research.

As a British reader, i felt that the book was targeted at the American market. He raises questions about it being legal to buy seeds but it could be criminal to grow and harvest.

I think the section on caffeine is most relevant to much of the population; we’re a nation of coffee drinkers and have been since the advent of coffee houses in the 17th century. Opium is much more relevant to the history books whilst the third section on mescaline - a substance derived from cacti and used by American Indians will probably have less significance to readers on this side of the pond, although still interesting for the facts alone.

If you’re a fan of pollan’s writing style & enjoyed How To Change Your Mind, then you should enjoy this book. For me I found it a heavy read & would have probably enjoyed it more if I had consumed it as an audio book.

Informative descriptions of plants used for mind enhancement. Well written around what could have been dry subjects.

Very informative, would recommend! Thank you for providing an advance copy of this book for review!!

This is a fascinating and very personal investigation into our relationship to and interaction with three plants. The writing style is both analytical and reflective. The explanations are enriched by the backstories and efforts to engage with the plants' effects. The 'research' is well-grounded in the literature and is effectively referenced.

An absolute treat to read, Michael Pollan is a gifted and informative writer making this subject even more fascinating than it already was.

A must read.

A charming and holistic guidebook through the wonders of the bounty of nature. Guiding us to be kinder to ourselves and the planet respectful and wise thank you

Sorta interesting look at how plants affect the human brain. Not as easy to read as I'd hoped - Pollan often takes a long time to say nothing too remarkable - and, though the book does contain a lot of compelling and informative facts, there's nothing eye-popping here to make this a must-read for anyone.