Cody Johnson beautifully balances historical knowledge with cutting-edge science to produce a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read which paints a holistic picture of the risks and benefits of psychedelic use in modern day medicine and culture. -- Rick Doblin, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) What a good book this is! A rarity among psychedelic publications, it is straightforward, useful, makes complex biochemistry understandable, and will be a reference for years to come. It is a drug-by-drug series of clear, useful descriptions of just what you need to know about both synthetic and plant-based psychedelics. I thought I knew all this stuff, but Johnson weaves in excellent scholarship and some wonderful stories that surprised and delighted me as well. -- James Fadiman, Ph.D., microdose researcher and author of The Psychedelic Explorers Guide Magic Medicine is a wonderful object as well as a valuable text on this essential subject. Johnson describes a wide range of psychedelic substances - their effects, history and contemporary uses - in a readable style of prose and set amidst an alluring and beautifully presented format. Highly recommended! -- Dr. Ben Sessa, psychiatrist, psychedelic researcher, and author of The Psychedelic Renaissance This is a delightful book that takes the reader on a pleasurable trip through several millennia of use and reflections on humans use of psychedelics. It is beautifully researched and pleasingly produced, with a satisfying balance of science, history and insights. I am sure that everyone interested in this growing field will find something new to intrigue and hopefully inspire them. -- Prof. David Nutt, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, and author of Drugs Without the Hot Air Magic Medicine is an entertaining, up-to-date encyclopedia of the ineffable, offering easy-to-digest insight into a dizzying array of psychoactive drugs and sacred plant medicines. -- Don Lattin, author of The Harvard Psychedelic Club and Changing Our Mind Magic Medicine takes us on a journey into the most controversial and mysterious of medicines: the mind altering plants and chemicals responsible for some of our greatest visionary creativity and also our paranoid delusions. Cody Johnson does a great job at separating fact from fiction in this eye-opening book. -- Jason Silva, host of National Geographic's Brain Games and the hit YouTube series, Shots of Awe
