Parents' Guide to

How To Change Your Mind

By Martin Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Docuseries dives into the world of psychedelics.

TV Netflix Educational 2022
How to change your mind TV show: Poster

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What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Based on Michael Pollan's book of the same name, HOW TO CHANGE YOUR MIND digs into the cultural and scientific history of psychedelics. The series retraces Pollan's own experiences with discovering psychedelics in his 50s and 60s, after becoming an expert on the social and cultural impacts of food and plant consumption. Each episode explores the cultural history of a specific substance, from the scientific discovery of LSD to the ceremonial usage of mescaline by Native American tribes.

Is It Any Good?

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Parents say: Not yet rated
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Michael Pollan's aim with this series is to reopen a discussion about psychedelics, which have mostly been stigmatized in American culture since the 1970s. How to Change Your Mind makes those arguments by examining the social and cultural history of LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. It's notable that all of the featured advocates for psychedelics are also practitioners, which means that there's no strong counterargument presented for why psychedelics might be harmful, even in controlled environments. Otherwise, the series deftly weaves together science, American history, and the spiritual importance of psychedelics to some Native American tribes and other cultures, and presents it in a clear, accessible way, filtered through Pollan's own experiences and curiosity.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about psychedelics. How familiar are you with the substances featured in How to Change Your Mind? Where do they show up in American culture or entertainment? Do they have positive or negative connotations?

  • What are some of the ways psychedelics are used in this series? Does the discussion sway your opinion of them? Why, or why not?

  • How does the series place an emphasis on the responsible use of psychedelics? What are some of the dangers of using psychedelics in non-controlled environments?

TV Details

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