Michael Pollan On Mind-Altering Plants, A Second Pandemic Winter. December 10, 2021, Part 1 - Science Friday Recap
Podcast: Science Friday
Published: 2021-12-10
Duration: 2826
Guests: Umair Irfan, Michael Pollan
What Happened
Michael Pollan highlights the intriguing influence of plant-based chemicals like caffeine, opium, and mescaline on human consciousness in his book 'This Is Your Mind On Plants.' He explains that while caffeine is widely accepted and consumed daily by 90% of adults globally, other substances such as opium and mescaline face cultural and legal challenges.
Umair Irfan from Vox discusses the U.S. response to the potential winter surge of COVID-19, including the Biden administration's plan to prioritize booster shots and testing. He notes that about 30% of Americans remain unvaccinated, and emphasizes efforts to increase accessibility to rapid COVID-19 tests.
The conversation touches on the Omicron variant, with Pfizer and BioNTech's findings that a third vaccine dose enhances protection. The FDA has expanded booster eligibility to younger age groups, aiming to curb the spread of the virus during the winter months.
Michael Pollan delves into the historical and cultural significance of mescaline, used for millennia by indigenous peoples in the Americas. He points out that its use in religious and healing practices continues today, particularly within the Native American Church.
The podcast addresses the dire situation of the vaquita, the world's rarest marine mammal, with fewer than 20 individuals left. Conservation efforts are complicated by local fishing practices, threatening their survival.
Pollan also examines how refined drugs, such as cocaine and opiates, lead to dependency and abuse, contrasting them with traditional uses of plant substances like coca leaves in South America. He highlights the ongoing research into psychedelics, such as psilocybin and MDMA, for their potential therapeutic benefits in mental health treatment.
Key Insights
- Michael Pollan observes that caffeine, a psychoactive substance, is consumed daily by 90% of the global population. He explains its role in enhancing alertness by blocking the adenosine receptor in the brain, which prevents sleepiness.
- Umair Irfan reports that the Biden administration is actively working to mitigate a potential COVID-19 winter surge by expanding vaccine booster eligibility and distributing rapid tests. Approximately 30% of Americans remain unvaccinated, posing a challenge to these efforts.
- Research by Pfizer and BioNTech suggests that a third dose of their COVID-19 vaccine significantly boosts protection against the Omicron variant. This finding supports the FDA's decision to expand booster eligibility to younger age groups.
- Michael Pollan notes that while legal substances like caffeine are widely accepted, others like opium and mescaline are culturally and legally contentious. He discusses the historical use of mescaline in indigenous religious practices and its ongoing significance.