Comic Bill Burr on Magic Mushrooms, Healing, and Overcoming Childhood Trauma
Bill Burr has built a career on his unapologetic, fiery brand of comedy. Known for his quick temper and sharp wit, Burr doesn’t shy away from his personal struggles, using them as the foundation for much of his humor.
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Yet, as he admits in a recent interview with Terry Gross, Burr is learning to manage his anger, acknowledging his tendency to “argue first, apologize later.” The next phase of his growth, Burr shares, is figuring out how to halt the cycle of anger in real time — when it matters most. He confesses he’s still a work in progress but believes that self-awareness is the key to change.
His journey toward anger management is not only one of self-reflection but also one of seeking healing. Burr credits therapy and psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” for providing him insights into his emotional past. “Therapy is the treadmill,” he says. “Mushrooms is this cold bucket of water,” offering a sudden clarity that led to profound realizations about his childhood. After using psychedelics, Burr experienced a “honeymoon phase” of euphoria, a lightness he had never felt before. However, that peace didn’t last, and he had to continue working through his demons.
Healing Through Comedy
While Burr’s anger may have initially shaped his humor, his path to emotional healing has also shaped his performances. As he continues to unpack the emotional weight of his past, he brings a new lightness to his comedy. His latest Hulu special, Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years, showcases his growth, highlighting how he can now reflect on the world with a slightly softer edge. His personal evolution has even found its way into his work on Broadway, where he stars in the revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.
For Burr, the lessons he learns offstage shape his approach to life and art. His story is one of learning, unlearning, and continuously evolving, both as a person and a performer.
