The Case Against Reality - Donald Hoffmann

An interesting argument that we know nothing of the physical world around us, nor even of ourselves.  Given that our brain (whatever it might be) is a medium that interprets stimuli from the external world, we can know only the interpretations, the filtered image, not the real thing - whatever that may be, and if it is at all possibly knowable given our limitations/filter.  We can't even know that nature of our own filter, because as we study the human brain and body, we are perceiving not some final reality, but a filtered images of our physical selves.
A complex book with a complex idea - but it seems very reasonable.  Worth rereading to understand in greater detail.   It all begins to sound very Buddhist...

How to Change Your Mind - Michael Pollan

Basically a look at the history of psychedelic drugs in the U.S. , and an account of some personal experiences.
As a look at the actual psychedelic experience, there are other better books out there, the old classics by Huxley, etc.
In this book though, there are some very interesting facts:
- psychedelics (mostly LSD) were used by psychiatrists in the 50s and 60s to treat alcoholism and some other serious mental illnesses with considerable success
- there was a lot of research done on this topic - for political reasons, during the late 60s, this all ended when these drugs were listed as restricted.
- psychiatrists are now again looking at using these drugs to treat alcoholism and other addictions, depression, anxiety
- the counterculture use of these drugs as spiritual tools has never really died out, just gone underground - there are people who work as guides for this kind of experience if you are interested