5 Must-read Books About Psychedelics

A collaboration with Psychedelic Assembly New York

Psychedelics have been gaining popularity recently as a tool for spiritual growth, mental health, and personal development. Knowing where to start can be overwhelming if you're new to the psychedelic world. To help you on your journey, we've compiled a list of five must-read books that will provide you with invaluable insights and knowledge.

Whether you're new to psychedelics or a seasoned veteran, these five books are essential for anyone interested in exploring the potential of these powerful substances. From practical guides to historical accounts to philosophical reflections, these books offer a rich and diverse perspective on the world of psychedelics. 

You can find all books in New York’s Athenaeum by Psychedelic Assembly, a hub for collaboration, education, and connection surrounding psychedelics in Midtown Manhattan. 

Happy reading, and safe travels!

#1 Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion: An Informative, Easy-to-Use Guide to Understanding Magic Mushrooms

By Michelle Janikian

With so much misinformation surrounding magic mushrooms, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. This is where Your Psilocybin Mushroom Companion comes in to help. In this book, you’ll find a short and easy-to-read guide to the basics of magic mushrooms.

The book by Michelle Janikian gives an overview of how to plan safe, effective trips with easy-to-follow step-by-step advice. Discover how to train a guide to take care of those on psychedelic voyages, as well as how to access the transformative nature of these experiences. Get an idea of how microdosing can improve your mood, cognitive functioning, creativity, physical stamina, and more.

Find it on Amazon here

#2 The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys

By James Fadiman, PhD

The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide – aka “the psychedelics bible” – is a comprehensive manual for anyone interested in working with psychedelics. The author, James Fadiman, PhD,  has been involved with psychedelic research since the 1960s. In this guide, he provides instructions on how to prepare for and safely navigate a psychedelic experience and insights into the history and cultural context of psychedelics. He writes about the immediate and long-term effects of psychedelic use for spiritual (high dose), therapeutic (moderate dose), and problem-solving (low dose and microdose) purposes. 

This book is a must-read for anyone curious about the potential benefits of psychedelics and how to approach them responsibly.

Find it on Amazon here

#3 How to Change Your Mind: The New Science of Psychedelics

By Michael Pollan

Now, this is more a question of who hasn’t read the book or seen the Netflix series. Putting himself forward as a guinea pig, Michael Pollan has written a remarkable history of psychedelics and a compelling portrait of the new generation of scientists fascinated by the implications of these drugs. How to Change Your Mind is a report on what could be the future of human consciousness and has led to a positive change in the narrative of psychedelic compounds for the general public.

Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic research, touches on the neuroscience behind psychedelic experiences, and the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for mental health conditions. However, the most attention got to chapter 3, where he writes about his experiences with LSD, Psilocybin, and 5-MeO-DMT (or, The Toad).

Find it on Amazon here

#4 The Psilocybin Connection: Psychedelics, the Transformation of Consciousness, and Evolution on the Planet

By Jahan Khamsehzadeh, PhD

This book is a comprehensive guide to psilocybin mushrooms and their impact on our psychology, biology, and social development.

Separated into three sections—Present, Past, and Future—The Psilocybin Connection advances our understanding of psychedelics in unexpected and original ways. Khamsehzadeh shares compelling research that suggests how naturally occurring psychedelics may have played an essential role in humanity's social, cultural, and linguistic evolution.

Find it on Amazon here

Jahan Khamsehzadeh, PhD is sharing knowledge as part of our The A to Z of Psilocybin Online Course. Learn more about it here

#5 The Doors of Perception

By Aldous Huxley

The Doors of Perception is a classic exploration of the psychedelic experience. In this book, Huxley recounts his experience taking mescaline and reflects on his profound insights and revelations during the trip. The Doors of Perception is a must-read for anyone interested in the subjective experience of psychedelics and the potential for personal growth and transformation.

Find it on Amazon here

Learn everything you need to know about magic (psilocybin-containing) mushrooms through our self-paced online course. 10+ hours of educational materials and conference recordings from industry experts from MAPS, ZENDO, CIIS, and more.