The Psychedelic Bookshelf: 27 Must-Reads for the Psychedelic-Inspired
"It's what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it." — Oscar Wilde
Just a few decades ago, anyone looking to gain knowledge on a specific topic reached for a book.
But things are different now.
Today, most people turn to videos, blog posts, and chatbots to answer all their pressing questions.
But there’s a hidden value in books that often gets overlooked.
In an era where information on any subject is always within arm’s length — where we can use Google or ChatGPT to answer any question that comes to mind — we’re unknowingly limiting our ability to learn because we only discover the answers to the questions we think to ask.
One of the most underestimated benefits of reading books is that they guide you to questions you haven’t even considered.
Books also have a certain gravitas attached to them.
It’s a commitment of your time to sit down and go through the contents of a book page by page. The intention that comes along with this commitment is unique among other forms of content we consume today — most of which rely on unconsciously scrolling through feeds. These feeds are carefully designed to deliver fleeting hits of dopamine — just enough to keep you on the app for hours at a time.
These algorithms and the type of content that comes with them are rarely intended to actually teach you anything.
A good book shouldn’t be a chore to read, but it isn’t a cheap dose of dopamine either — you have to work for it, just a little bit. But this effort is reciprocated with higher information retention than other forms of content.
There are plenty of studies that have tried to quantify the differences between information transferred via text-based reading, video, and audio.
One study from Spain found students in grades 4–6 who read their learning material displayed far better mental integration of the material than those watching videos.
Another study involving university students found similar results — those who read text-based learning materials scored higher when graded than those who received the audio-only version.
I think I’m preaching to the choir, though — if you’re reading this post at all, you’re likely already privy to the advantages of text-based learning… so let’s answer the real question — what should you read next?
15 Dope Books About Dope
This list is far from exhaustive — humans have been writing about mind-expanding substances, consciousness, and plant medicines for a very long time, and there are many excellent books to enrich your psychedelic lexicon.
This list is merely the staples we at Tripsitter believe any psychonaut, regardless of experience, can benefit from reading.
Without further ado… here’s what we consider staples to include in your psychedelic bookshelf:
1. DMT: The Spirit Molecule
(Rick Strassman)
This book is based on the research Dr. Rick Strassman conducted in the 1990s at the University of New Mexico. It was the first official research to be conducted on psychedelics on human volunteers in over 20 years.
There’s been a ton of new research published since this book, but it remains a core text in the field of psychedelic studies. It’s an excellent blend of scientific analysis and immersive storytelling.
In his book, Strassman discusses the entities many of his patients encountered and postulates on the role DMT may play in consciousness and transition into death.
2. How to Change Your Mind
(Michael Pollan)
Michael Pollan's transformative journey from psychedelic skeptic to advocate is chronicled in detail in his most recent book, How to Change Your Mind.
This book is largely credited with revitalizing mainstream interest in psychedelics. Whether you agree with this sentiment or not, this book is a must-read for anybody looking for an introduction to the potential of psychedelics.
Pollan explores the history of some of psychedelia’s key players and the current state of psychedelic research and breaks down his own experience seeking out and undergoing a psychedelic experience under the watch of a coach.
3. The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, & Sacred Journeys
(James Fadiman)
James Fadiman's guidebook is a revered resource for anybody looking to experiment with psychedelics. It offers comprehensive advice on the responsible use of various psychedelics, with a special focus on microdosing.
If you’re interested in microdosing, you can’t skip past this one, as Fadiman laid the groundwork for the practice today.
4. The Psychedelic Experience: A Manual Based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead
(Timothy Leary, Ralph Metzner, & Richard Alpert)
Written by three of the most influential minds in the psychedelic space, The Psychedelic Experience is built off the wisdom of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Cultural appropriation aside (modern versions often discuss this in the intro), the imagery and correlations these psychedelic titans draw are remarkable.
This book explores consciousness, ego death, and transcendence associated with high doses of psychedelics. It’s considered canon in psychedelic literature for psychonauts of all levels of experience.
5. The Doors of Perception
(Aldous Huxley)
This was one of the first psychedelic-inspired books to reach mainstream popularity. The author, Aldous Huxley, drew inspiration for this deeply philosophical book from his experiences with the mescaline-containing cactus, peyote.
This book highlights his journey inward through new states of consciousness.
It’s an enjoyable read, full of spiritual, philosophical, and psychological insights still relevant today. We believe this book is an important read for the development of any budding psychonaut.
6. PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story
(Alexander Shulgin & Ann Shulgin)
PiHKAL, written by the late psychedelic pioneer Alexander Shulgin and his wife Ann, blends a semi-autobiographical love story with a detailed guide to creating over 170 of Shulgin's phenethylamine-based psychedelics.
Providing insights into the life and mind of this renowned biochemist, the book also reflects Ann's mystical perspectives, offering a balanced exploration of consciousness, death, and psychoactive substances.
This book covers a lot of ground. Some sections take deep dives on various chemistry topics, while others are more philosophical or dramatic and cover the personal lives of the Shulgins.
PiHKAL is narrated by both Shulgins, so the writing style flip-flops quite a bit as you read — you get some technical chemistry snippets from Alexander as well as some more colorful, philosophical narration from Ann. The narration style used in this book is like no other and is quite enjoyable to read.
7. Love Drugs: The Chemical Future of Relationships
(Brian Earp & Julian Savulescu)
This book explores the use of chemicals, namely MDMA (ecstasy), for facilitating human connection. It questions the origin of love and offers insight into how empathogenic substances like MDMA offer value in couples’ therapy or individual healing after a breakup.
This book builds a case for why we need more focused research on the value of love drugs as well as “anti-love drugs” and their potential role in society.
Love Drugs is a relatively quick read — I finished the whole thing on a red-eye flight to Colombia a few years ago. I recommend this book to anybody, but especially to budding therapists looking to get into MDMA-assisted therapy.
8. LSD: My Problem Child
This is an important book for psychonauts to explore because it was written by one of the most influential psychedelic chemists to ever live. Albert Hofmann was the man who (accidentally) created the psychedelic drug LSD.
He’s also the person who first identified and isolated psilocybin from magic mushrooms.
LSD: My Problem Child offers an account of Hofmann’s discovery of LSD, its effects, and the profound impact it had on society.
9. LSD Psychotherapy: The Healing Potential of Psychedelic Medicine
This is one of the core readings for transpersonal therapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. It’s a dense text-book style reading, full of insights and evidence-based information from one of the most influential psychiatrists to ever live.
The studies explored in this book challenge the ideas we have about human consciousness, perception, and reality — and offer unique insight into ways we can use shifts in ontology and perspective as a mode of healing.
A lot of modern-day psychedelic therapy is based on the early works of Grof as published in this book.
10. Plant Teachers: Ayahuasca, Tobacco, & the Pursuit of Knowledge
(Jeremy Narby & Rafael Chanchari Pizuri)
This book delves into the rich cultural and traditional use of plants such as Ayahuasca and Tobacco in indigenous communities. It explores how these plant teachers have been instrumental in facilitating knowledge and wisdom, shaping belief systems, and promoting spiritual growth.
This is a quick read that’s sure to change your views of what a “plant teacher” truly means.
11. Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide
(Oss & Oeric: AKA Terence McKenna & Dennis McKenna)
This was one of the first-ever magic mushroom cultivation books on the market and remains one of the best to this day.
Terrence and Dennis McKenna first traveled to the Amazon back in 1970, where they collected magic mushroom samples and spores to bring home for their research. They incorporated their own knowledge of plant and fungi cultivation with information picked up from various cultures living in the rainforest to produce this high-impact book on magic mushroom cultivation.
This book is easy to read, informative, and concise. Perfect for anybody growing magic mushrooms at home using standard household items.
12. Drugism
(Vincent Rado)
I’m only about halfway through this book at the time of writing, and it’s already one of the most comprehensive books I’ve ever read on drug prohibition and its impact on society.
Rado begins 4000 years ago with the introduction of the salt tax in ancient China and works his way up through history to describe, in great detail, the chain reaction that led to modern-day drug prohibition.
Drugism is the perfect read for anybody interested in the history and impact of drug prohibition and the ideas we can use to dismantle it. It’s already changed my perception of what it means to be a “druggist” and how I see various drugs differently based on my preconceived notions of what makes them “good” or “bad.”
13. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge & the Teachings of Plants
(Robin Wall Kimmerer)
This book isn’t directly about psychedelics — but it is about the importance of connection with the natural world and the physical and spiritual sustenance we derive from it.
Kimmerer argues that humans can best relate to the natural world by observing and learning from plants. She uses teachings from her indigenous heritage to explain the concept of the “gift economy,” which is a reciprocal relationship with nature.
Just as we take from the land, we should also give back to it.
14. The Psilocybin Solution
(Simon G. Powell)
This book formed the basis of my understanding of psychedelic mushrooms when it first came out. It was published in 2011, and while a lot has happened since then, this book remains a powerhouse of knowledge for anybody invested in learning about magic mushrooms and their power to transform both the individual and societies that take them.
Powell explores the history of psilocybin-containing mushrooms among early humans as well as modern-day applications in research and therapy.
He also describes how psilocybin has the potential to shift our individual and collective consciousness, leading to a greater understanding of the interconnectedness of all life. He suggests this shift could play a crucial role in addressing global problems like environmental collapse and political divide.
15. Trip: Psychedelics, Alienation, & Change
(Tao Lin)
This book is part memoir, part investigative journalism. It explores the author’s own life-altering experiences with psychedelics as well as the broader cultural, scientific, and philosophical discourse around using them.
Lin’s book traces his personal journey through feelings of alienation, loneliness, and existential anxiety — which led to problems with substance abuse and depression — and how the transformative power of psychedelics like DMT and psilocybin catalyzed a change in perception that altered everything for him.
More Books to Take You Down the Rabbithole
These books are just the tip of the iceberg — anybody entering the psychedelic sphere should check them out. But there’s so much more than this.
Here are some of our other favorites to check out that are either inspired by, overlap with, or directly involve psychedelia (in no particular order):
Food of the Gods (Terence McKenna)
The Cosmic Serpent: DNA & the Origins of Knowledge (Jeremy Narby)
True Hallucinations (Terence McKenna)
Alien Information Theory: Psychedelic Drug Technologies and the Cosmic Game (Andrew Gallimore)
Be Here Now (Ram Dass)
Acid Dreams: The Complete Social History of LSD: The CIA, the Sixties, and Beyond (Martin A. Lee & Bruce Shlain)
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are (Alan Watts)
The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge (Carlos Castaneda)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Ken Kesey)
Visionary Plant Consciousness (J. P. Harpignies)
Zig Zag Zen: Buddhism & Psychedelics (Edited by Allan Badiner & Alex Grey)
TiHKAL: The Continuation (Alexander & Ann Shulgin)
If you feel there are any critical books we missed, please reach out to us with your suggestions. We’ll do another roundup of our favorites early next year with the books that impacted us the most in 2023, and we’re always looking for good recommendations.
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