Magic Medicine offers a whirlwind tour of the most fascinating psychedelics on the planet. Some you'll recognize—such as ayahuasca, the jungle potion gaining traction among yuppies and spiritual seekers, and LSD, the counterculture icon that's now making a comeback a potential treatment for anxiety and depression.

Others are more obscure, such as DiPT—the "auditory hallucinogen" that distorts the perception of sounds, lowering all pitches like a helium balloon in reverse—and "mad honey"—a poisonous honey found only in Turkey and Nepal, equally feared and revered for its mind-bending effects.

Each chapter dives into the rich history of a single plant or compound, and explores its therapeutic and spiritual uses—not only in indigenous contexts, but in modern medicine where psychedelics are quickly earning a reputation as powerful healing agents. Finally, each chapter is sprinkled with firsthand quotes which attempt to pry open the “doors of perception,” allowing glimmers of psychedelic light to fall upon sober minds.