Exploring the Magic of Magic Mushrooms

 Have a Good Trip: Exploring the Magic Mushroom Experience by Eugenia Bone

Have a Good Trip book cover

Amanita Muscaria, probably more famous looking mushroom, but not the focus of this book, by Bernard Spragg, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Psilocybe cubensis, the mushroom of focus for this book by Rohan523, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Many thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of Eugenia Bone’s great new book Have a Good Trip: Exploring the Magic Mushroom Experience. Bone’s book follows some other more recent books detailing a growing acceptance and use of psychedelics in the general population as well as their application to therapeutic and medical settings like palliative and end of life care for cancer patients. While other books like Ernesto Londoño’s Trippy and Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind focused on different forms of psychedelics, Bone’s book primarily focuses on the use of mushrooms, in particular the Psilocybe cubensis, in various settings, recreationally, communally, spiritually, educationally, therapeutically, and medicinally. I was amazed to learn more about the different uses and applications of mushrooms, and in particular, how technology, especially the internet, seems to have helped facilitate and foster (maybe even cultivate) a growing community of explorers (or sometimes known as psychonauts) who are all seeking different outcomes, whether it is mental well-being, more knowledge of self and self-understanding, or just looking to expand their minds. 

Bone’s book is divided into different sections, focusing on the background of the use of psychedelic (or entheogenic mushrooms), growing and cultivating one’s own mushrooms, and different types of trip settings. The book’s first two sections are informative, but at times delve deep into the science. I found the parts about how brains respond to mushrooms interesting, but I also had to go over this section a few different times, finding myself a little lost in the technical terms. Nevertheless, Bone uses more practical metaphors and explanations to bring these complex biological processes to a more understandable level for the layperson. Similarly, I found the section about growing and foraging mushrooms not as compelling as the other sections that look at the different applications and settings for trips and uses of mushrooms. It is fascinating to learn about the growing subculture of mushrooms, one that has persisted and grown over the past 70 years. However, as someone not that familiar with mushroom cultivation, I struggled at times to keep some of the terms straight. The best part of the book was the last section, Trip Types, where Bone explores the different communities that have grown over time to engage in the use of psychedelic mushrooms. It was fascinating to see different uses and applications and consider the speculation that mushrooms have been used in religious experiences for thousands of years. Whether it is true or not, different cultures, especially in Mexico and Central America, have made use of magic mushrooms in ceremonial experiences to seek insight and growth. I think it is important to consider this kind of sacred and spiritual application when considering mushrooms. Although recreational use has become more popular since the 1960s, it does seem like the spiritual and ceremonial (as well as communal) use has been a more effective use in learning or growing from a trip. One of the greatest aspects of Bone’s book is that the research is all so new and many of the developments in these psychedelic communities have been so recent. I also loved learning about the various medical applications for mushrooms as a way to treat both mental health issues like depression as well as end of life care for cancer treatments, something that Pollan also explored in his book. One of the other more interesting areas that Bone explores (and experiments on herself as well) is the use of microdosing, taking small amounts of mushrooms that have no perceptual impact, but are meant as a way to enhance creative thinking and performance/focus. These small doses have no real effect on functionality beyond enhancing work or performance. Bone regularly stresses that microdosing should not affect one’s ability to do different activities throughout the day, especially things like driving or cooking. It is interesting to consider, but Bone also makes note that it is hard to consider effective dosing since response to mushrooms varies from individual to individual and there’s really no clear dosing protocols. Furthermore, individual responses can be impacted by family histories of mental illness, which takers may not be aware. Thus, it does seem like a potential risk, but an interesting way to consider improving work or performance. Bone also explores her own use of magic mushrooms, noting in the epilogue that she took more trips for this book than she had in her previous experiences with mushrooms. I really enjoyed her writing about Burning Man, seeing how the descriptions and visions kind of gradually meld into flashes and sights not previously seen. 

Bone’s book provides a wonderful addition to some of the other books about psychedelic experiences and how these plants and fungi are becoming more accepted and accessible, as well as their applications to address a broader range of health issues that have previously been challenged by more traditional medicine. Her writing is descriptive and engaging, and she incorporates considerable research into various areas—whether it is the communities that trip together for various reasons, mushroom cultivation, or the ways that mushrooms interact with the brain and nervous system. Furthermore, she writes in an engaging manner that takes complicated and complex ideas and makes them more understandable for a general audience. Highly recommended.