Michael Pollan blends memoir with the microhistories of opium, caffeine, and mescaline in This is Your Mind on Plants.

Pollan explores the historical context, physical effect on humans (and in the case of caffeine, bees), and how each drug stands with current culture. He often questions how we perceive substances to be harmful or helpful, and balances his research with his own experiences:  growing poppies for opium tea, surviving caffeine withdrawal, ingesting mescaline on his own, and later taking part in a Wachuma ceremony during the pandemic.

Fans of How to Change Your Mind will find more to love here.