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A Really Good Day
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
24 posts | 23 read | 44 to read
A revealing, courageous, fascinating, and funny account of the author's experiment with microdoses of LSD in an effort to treat a debilitating mood disorder, of her quest to understand a misunderstood drug, and of her search for a really good day. When a small vial arrives in her mailbox from "Lewis Carroll," Ayelet Waldman is at a low point. Her mood storms have become intolerably severe; she has tried nearly every medication possible; her husband and children are suffering with her. So she opens the vial, places two drops on her tongue, and joins the ranks of an underground but increasingly vocal group of scientists and civilians successfully using therapeutic microdoses of LSD. As Waldman charts her experience over the course of a month--bursts of productivity, sleepless nights, a newfound sense of equanimity--she also explores the history and mythology of LSD, the cutting-edge research into the drug, and the byzantine policies that control it. Drawing on her experience as a federal public defender, and as the mother of teenagers, and her research into the therapeutic value of psychedelics, Waldman has produced a book that is eye-opening, often hilarious, and utterly enthralling.
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underground_bks
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

Suffering from a mood disorder (PMDD) and exhausting her options, writer Ayelet Waldman tries microdosing. A Really Good Day is part comedic mental health memoir, part account of her 30-day experiment taking tiny, subperceptual amounts of LSD, and part research into the history, risks & rewards, and future of psychedelics. Waldman is funny, candid, and self-aware. This is a frank and accessible introduction to the idea of psychedelics as medicine.

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HillsAndHamletsBookshop
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

After Michael Pollan‘s book How To Change Your Mind got me interested in the topic I‘ve been reading more books about the emerging field of psychedelics as medicine. I found Waldman‘s blend of memoir and journalism to be especially readable. Her personal storytelling is highly relatable for anyone prone to anxiety, & her reporting on the sad futility of the drug war is especially compelling. She reads the audiobook herself & is a great narrator.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

This is deep insight into one woman‘s life. She‘s lives with a few mental health diagnoses, struggles with chronic pain and nothing helps. In desperation, she tries tiny doses of LSD for 30 days. The writing is engaging. But I struggled with the evident and overwhelming privilege. If not for her place on the socio-economic spectrum, she‘d be in jail.

Full review http://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2022 #booked2021 #jewishauthororMC

Tamra That is sadly true. 3y
Cinfhen There‘s something about this author that rubs me the wrong way ... and she‘s married to Michael Chabon ( which should be a bonus but it‘s another thing that weirdly bugs me 🤷🏼‍♀️) 3y
Copwithabook Interesting. I just arrested a guy last week for giving LSD to his teenage daughter. He said he read on the internet that it would help her with depression and anxiety 3y
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BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen I haven‘t read her other books, and won‘t likely do so. But this topic intrigued me and it was an Audible daily deal a while ago. So ... I figured I‘d try it. She‘s funny and seems aware of her privilege, but it still was an itch I felt she never really scratched. And FWIW, she‘s Jewish in a cultural sense but not an observant one. So I feel like I kinda cheated with the prompt. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Copwithabook Huh — probably pretty stupid of him. There‘s another book that is much more scientific about the use of psychedelics for mental health issues, in case you‘re curious. 3y
Cinfhen Nope, she‘s jewish /totally not a cheat 😘 3y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen Thanks. 😘 Been thinking about you a lot, my friend. Hope the situation over there improves soon. 🤗 3y
Cinfhen Thanks, Barb xx it‘s been intense- word is ceasefire is in the works 🙏🏻❣️ 3y
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Megabooks
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

Waldman had a reliable strategy for dealing with her hormonal mood changes until peri-menopause. After doing some research, she hit upon microdosing LSD. She kept to a strict schedule and amount. 20 mcg every third day. As you follow her journey, she discusses the history of psychedelics, the state of current research, and harm reduction strategies for both legal and illegal substances. A fascinating journey! #audiobook

Crazeedi I heard a talk by someone doing research with LSD for various afflictions. There is a lot of promise under the right supervision and dosages. I'm trying to remember exactly what he was treating. It was fascinating 4y
Megabooks @Crazeedi yes! What she used is 1/5 to 1/7 of a dose to get high. In addition to helping with a diagnosed hormonal mood disorder, she had a frozen shoulder and it greatly improved her pain in that. More than nsaids, opiates or medical marijuana (high CBD), which was interesting. 4y
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Megabooks
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Enjoying this #audiobook and some over easy eggs (burned the butter a bit 😉) before bed. I feel much less stressed tonight because I‘m hoping to get the next four days off from major issues. 🤞🏻🤞🏻 excited to enjoy #jolabokaflod when I get up. Merry Christmas Eve to those who celebrate! 🎄

Crazeedi Merry Christmas Meg! Enjoy your present and your well deserved rest!☃️🎁❄ 4y
Megabooks @Crazeedi Merry Christmas, Di!! Enjoy your weekend!! 💖🎄 4y
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LisaCarey
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Shark phobias, misophonia, and husbands who stay with you when the walls breathe. These are a few of my favorite things.

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Debiw781
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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#itwasagoodday today as I got to see an old friend while she's back in the US (she's working in China). We had a yummy dinner with a great dessert. Then I came home to find out the husband ran into some issues with installing the door so hope that's fixed or I won't sleep tonight 😖

#90sinjuly
@Cinfhen
@Robothugs

Robothugs WHAT IS THIS??!!! 🤤 It looks delicious! 7y
Debiw781 @robothugs It's sopapillas from one of our local Mexican restaurant. And it was definitely delicious! 7y
Robothugs I'm jealous! I hope the door problems get resolved! 🤞🏻 7y
Debiw781 @robothugs looks like the saga of the first door is close to ending. Doorknob going on now. Told him to worry about trim another day 7y
Robothugs Glad to hear it! 7y
32 likes5 comments
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Lizpixie
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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#90sInJuly #day19 #ItWasAGoodDay It was a great day indeed,the day I learnt about a new social media platform for book lovers.The day I joined & posted my first ever blurb was the start of an amazing 13 months so far,getting new book recs,suggesting books to other Littens,showing off bookmail,enabling & living vicariously through others awesome collections.The PBCs,the gift exchanges & making so many new friends all over the world is amazing.

TrishB Well said 👍 7y
Cinfhen Gotta echo your sentiments 💗💗💗 7y
DebinHawaii So true! I am happy you are here! 💜💜💜 7y
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Annl I feel the same way! I have a full life but didn't realize I felt lonely when it came to my love of books until I joined Litsy! Checking on here is my treat for the day! 7y
Robothugs Basically echoing every comment! I'm so happy to have you in my life. 💗 7y
Kalalalatja Preach! 👏👏 7y
Jess_Read_This 🙌🏼❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 7y
LauraBeth ❤️❤️ 7y
Lmstraubie 💙💚💛 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Agree!!!!! 💕❤️📚 7y
Dragon 👍😀🐉 7y
ValerieAndBooks 💗📚💗📚💗📚Well said!! 7y
Lizpixie @TrishB @Cinfhen @DebinHawaii @Annl @Robothugs @Kalalalatja @Jess_Read_This @LauraBeth @Lmstraubie @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Dragon @ValerieAndBooks you guys!☺️ Every single one of you are amazing, the friendship & support from Littens has made me a very happy little bookworm. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.❤️😘💙🙌💜🤗💚🤘 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Lizpixie I feel the same!! Love all the friends I've made in the wonderful group 📚❤️📚❤️ 7y
83 likes14 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Audible Daily Deal

Lola I read this in print and really liked it. I like the author's speaking voice so I'd bet this would be a good audiobook listen. 7y
Christine I second everything @Lola said!! 7y
minkyb I like her work. I also heard her being interviewed about this and she was really interesting. 7y
49 likes3 comments
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MatchlessMarie
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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I took a much needed #MentalHealthDay yesterday and stumbled upon a new library that just opened last year! It made me so happy that their bathrooms were all gender. #mysapl #library #sizzlinsummerbooks

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Spiderfelt
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

For years, I have been fascinated by Ayelet Waldman, at first because she was married to Michael Chabon, but later because she expressed herself in a brash, unapologetic way. Her Twitter rants were outrageous and amusing. In this book, she continues in the same vein: training her hyper intellect on a specific project while sharing more personal details than my close friends. I was swayed by her position on decriminalizing drugs, fascinated by ⬇️

Spiderfelt the therapeutic uses of MDMA to treat PTSD, harm reduction in drug policy and in speaking with teens about mind-altering substances. I do hope there is continued research in this vein, and I applaud Waldman for taking this personal and professional risk by sharing her experiences. 7y
Cinfhen I love the moral in the photo? More details please?!? 7y
saresmoore Amazing review! 7y
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monkeygirlsmama Beautiful art. 7y
Spiderfelt @cinfhen The mural is painted on a building in an alley off 85th St near Greenwood in Seattle. No artist name. I found it stunning as well. Just happened to walk by on Saturday night. 7y
Cinfhen It's really gorgeous 💜thanks for sharing😊 7y
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Zelma
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
Bailedbailed

Nope. Realized I had no interest almost immediately. One of my biggest misgivings was that her grand experiment and exploration of microdosing with LSD turned out to only be 10 doses.

TobeyTheScavengerMonk This interested me, but you're right. That sounds like such a tiny amount to write a whole book about. 8y
Zelma @TobeyTheScavengerMonk she discusses LSD research, the history of drug use, and even incarceration due to drugs, but it just didn't work. I read a review saying it would have been better as a long-form journalistic article, and I completely agree. 8y
Zelma Oh, @mcipher I forgot to tag you in this review. It might work for you but I just couldn't get into it. 8y
mcipher @Zelma Darn, that's disappointing! Thanks for thinking of me - I guess I'll stick to her fiction. 😉 8y
35 likes4 comments
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Zelma
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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#AprilBookShowers first line of current read @RealLifeReading

It certainly is an intriguing first line! Starting my day with counseling and then coffee at Panera.

julesG No LSD for you this morning? ;( 8y
BooksForEmpathy I enjoyed this one immensely. 8y
Zelma @julesG 😳😂 nah, I settled for some evening wine. 🍷🍷 8y
Zelma @BooksForEmpathy looking forward t getting more into it. I am reading really slowly right now due to tiredness. 8y
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kiminreverse
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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I'm in another #nonfiction phase. A Really Good Day by Ayelet Waldman (fun fact: her husband is Michael Chabon) is the story of her experiment taking LSD in quantities small enough not to create hallucinations but large enough to improve mood, work flow, etc. She's a former lawyer with drug law reform work experience, so she cites a ton of research, but it's at least equally as much a relatable, often funny, memoir.

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Zelma
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Late afternoon wine, C&Cs, and books. 😌

PurpleyPumpkin That looks perfect. Enjoy!👍🏽 8y
Zelma @PurpleyPumpkin the only down side is that I ran out of wine. 😂 oh well, making it last and enjoying my relaxation. 8y
PurpleyPumpkin Ran out of wine???😳Horrors! 🤣But I know you'll still make the most of it. 😉 8y
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Zelma @PurpleyPumpkin you understand! 😱😂 slowly.....sipping..... 8y
mcipher I love her fiction and this sounds so interesting. Is it good? 8y
Zelma @mcipher I'll let you know. I just picked it up today so haven't started it yet. 8y
48 likes6 comments
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rachellayown
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

I love Ayelet Waldman and think she's often at her best when she's writing nonfiction because she's so unapologetically honest. This book was no exception. She offers an intimate glimpse into her life and struggle with mental illness, while also providing an interesting examination of recreational drugs. The book that's part memoir and part a well-researched challenge to the war on drugs. A really interesting book!

Megabooks I enjoyed and would recommend this one too! 8y
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Megabooks
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

4.5🌟This had been on my radar since it popped up in an #audible email, and it's a fantastic book. Waldman takes a 1/5 dose of LSD every third day for a month and records how it affects her moods and relationships. She kills on things like harm reduction with drugs. She provides interesting research insights as well. A great book to listen to if you're interested in alternative approaches to mental illness. She does a fantastic job narrating!!

LauraJ Very interested!!! 8y
Megabooks @LauraJ Definitely check it out! 8y
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Megabooks
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Oh the irony of listening to a book called A Really Good Day when you're on the floor of your bathroom in front of the toilet. On a positive note, this short, interesting book may get me out of my reading slump. Sorry guys...it's been a rough month. 💖💖💖💖💖 all of you!!

Edited to add: this is a book about microdosing LSD to treat mental illness, which is a cool topic!

BookishMarginalia Hugs💜 8y
Megabooks @BookishMarginalia Thank you so much Gloria! 8y
stacybmartin Ugh this winter has been the worst for sicknesses - hope you feel better soon! 💜💜💜 8y
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Megabooks @stacybmartin It has! I hope I didn't pass this to coworkers. Thank you 💙💙 8y
Lynnsoprano Feel better 💜 8y
moranadatter Yikes! I hope you feel better soon. 8y
Cinfhen Ugh, feel better🤢 8y
Jas16 Oh no! Feel better soon 8y
ValerieAndBooks Feel better soon! 8y
DGRachel Ugh. I hope you feel better soon!! 8y
Megabooks @Lynnsoprano Thank you! 💜💜 8y
Megabooks @kmdartist Thanks!! 8y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Thanks! 💛💛 8y
Megabooks @ValerieAndBooks Thank you! 😊 8y
Megabooks @DGRachel Thanks so much!! 💖💖 8y
asiriusreader Oh no!! Hope you feel better quickly!! 8y
Tanner Oh no, I hope that's passed and you're feeling better now! 8y
kspenmoll Feel better! 8y
Megabooks @asiriusreader Thank you!! 💙💙 8y
Megabooks @Tanner I'm feeling much better now. I've kept down some flat Coke. 👍🏻👍🏻 Thank you! 8y
Megabooks @kspenmoll Thank you!! 💛💛 8y
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Christine
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

Wow, this was super fascinating!! A very revealing, heartfelt, and funny personal story, but at least as compelling was her discussion of various illegal drugs and their histories of/potential for therapeutic use (I had no idea!). I also loved her keen awareness (based on her experiences as an attorney) of the complicated and often tragic consequences of the "war on drugs." A quick and very worthwhile read.

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BooksForEmpathy
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Littens! This is SO interesting. I am devouring it!

Listen to the author's interview on the podcast Lit Up (THE BEST book podcast for author interviews!) and then listen to her book. Ayelet Waldman struggled with mental illness for years before discovering microdosing. This book is about her month of microdosing LSD and her observations. She is insightful, grounded, funny, and offers fascinating commentary on the war on drugs & privilege.

BookHermit Ah! I heard an interview with the author on CBC last week. Sounds interesting! (edited) 8y
Lola I loved this book! And thanks for the heads-up on Lit Up! I'm subscribed but very behind. 8y
Lacythebookworm I love Lit Up! ❤❤ This book does sound intriguing! 8y
See All 6 Comments
Allietaylor16 I listened to the podcast on the way to work this morning!! Fascinating! 8y
minkyb I listened the other day. I have always liked Ayelet Waldman. It is a great interview. 8y
kgriffith I'm so disappointed that the author's talk at one of our local indies had to be canceled due to Snowpocalypse! I think the plan is to try again when the paperback is released. ☹️ (edited) 8y
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feministtexican
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

This was a really fascinating book. Waldman takes microdoses of LSD for a month, about 10% of a regular dose, to see if it will help with her mood disorder. It's part memoir and part investigation into the war on drugs. You also get an unexpectedly candid glimpse into the dynamic of her marriage (to Michael Chabon). #LitsyAtoZ (author) #audiobook

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SarahK
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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Pickpick

2nd book finished! Interesting book about drug use and drug culture. I definitely learned some things I didn't know. #24in48

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SarahK
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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It's always fun when you find a connection between two people. I'm reading Ayelet Waldman's book and wondered who she is married too. Well who would have thought, it's Michael Chabon. Interesting. #24in48

BookishMarginalia You might be interested in her 2005 essay for The New York Times about her relationship with her husband versus her role as mother: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2005/03/27/fashion/truly-madly-guiltily.html 8y
SarahK @BookishMarginalia she talks about that essay in her book. Thanks for sending the link- I'll have to check it out. 8y
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Lola
A Really Good Day | Ayelet Waldman
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One of the benefits of being an absolute cover-to-cover reader is that you don't miss gems like this author's note. #allthepages

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