The Sacred Mushroom

A new edition of the psychedelic classic

• Shares the author’s research on extrasensory perception (ESP) and the psychic effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms

• Describes ancient Egyptian spiritual practices centered on Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) mushrooms

• Details the author’s research work with R. Gordon Wasson and his experiments with Aldous Huxley and famed psychic Peter Hurkos

In 1954, while conducting scientifically rigorous experiments on psychic abilities at his research laboratory in Maine, neurologist Andrija Puharich, M.D., received a call from a wealthy supporter of the lab about an unusual subject worthy of further research: Harry Stone, a young sculptor with unusually acute extrasensory perception. When handed an ancient Egyptian artifact, Harry falls into a deep trance, drawing hieroglyphic symbols, including mushrooms, and describing, using ancient Egyptian phrases, a drug that can enhance psychic abilities.

Intrigued, Dr. Puharich studies Harry’s trance-induced statements and discovers that they are clearly describing ancient spiritual practices involving Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) mushrooms. He begins direct investigations with Harry at his lab in Maine, learning more about the use and preparation of the sacred mushroom as well as about astral travel and past lives. Dr. Puharich shares his research with ethnomycologist R. Gordon Wasson, who is about to travel to Mexico on a CIA-funded research trip, and the two researchers agree to test telepathic communications between the lab in Maine and a Mexican curandero. The results of the psychic experiment lead Puharich to discover Amanita muscaria growing in the wild near his research facility.

Now with a supply of the sacred mushroom, Dr. Puharich begins to study its psychic and visionary potential and the veracity of Harry Stone’s channeled Egyptian statements. He studies the effects of Amanita muscaria not only on Harry, but also on famed psychic Peter Hurkos and other visitors to his lab, including Aldous Huxley. This new edition of the psychedelic classic includes an in-depth introduction by psychedelic historian P. D. Newman.