How smoking a bong brought back the trauma of being shot by the Taliban – an exclusive extract from Malala Yousafzai’s memoir

The GuardianSunday, October 12, 2025 at 12:00:51 PM
How smoking a bong brought back the trauma of being shot by the Taliban – an exclusive extract from Malala Yousafzai’s memoir
In her new memoir, Malala Yousafzai shares a deeply personal experience of how smoking a bong at university triggered traumatic flashbacks of being shot by the Taliban. This revelation highlights the lasting impact of violence and trauma on mental health, even in moments meant for relaxation. Malala's story is a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by survivors and the importance of addressing mental health issues in discussions about trauma.
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