I FEEL LOVE

A sobering and eye-opening look at the psychedelic drug MDMA and how people’s quest for healing persists through the generations.

Science writer Nuwer, author of Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking, begins by noting how MDMA, aka ecstasy, started out as one of the most restricted Schedule I drugs. Now, it is on the way to being FDA approved for use in a therapeutic setting for individuals who struggle with a plethora of mental health problems. The author offers numerous memorable firsthand accounts of using MDMA in various settings such as raves, in therapy, recreationally, and in many other scenarios, exemplifying the various benefits and drawbacks of the drug in the quest for connection. Nuwer effectively brings us into a community of people who have dedicated their lives to the drug, fashioning a colorfully curated story of its therapeutic uses and how it fits into the larger narrative of health care reform. One of the overarching themes of the book is the need for effective regulation of MDMA and other drugs, which would ensure a safe outlet to those who choose to use them as part of a treatment program. Throughout the book, Nuwer presents studies that show the potential advantages of using MDMA in a therapeutic setting to help individuals, such as veterans, autistic adults with social anxiety, and those struggling from alcoholism, heal from their trauma and go into the world with fresh perspectives on how to manage their mental well-being. Although research on how MDMA interacts within the human brain is still early in development, it is paving the way for significant changes in how people heal from a host of mental issues. Even though MDMA has a tumultuous road ahead, the community that stands behind the drug continues to demonstrate its positive impact in many people’s lives. Pair this with Michael Pollan’s This Is Your Mind on Plants.

An illuminating, myth-free exploration of mental health from a unique perspective.