If you’re reading this, I’m already dead…
In life, I was Dr. Lidiya Hart Johnson, a neuroscientist and associate of R. Gordon Wasson, the man whose 1957 Life magazine article, “Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” opened the Western world’s eyes to psilocybin and the sacred rites of Huautla. I need to share this story—about the science, the myth, the memory… and the murder.
The Novel
Her Magic Mushroom Memoir is a historical novel in which Dr. Lidiya Hart Johnson and Christopher Wade tell a story about the “discovery” of Magic Mushrooms and its many consequences.
The content reflects eyewitness recall of events, R. Gordon Wasson’s notes and publications, scientific studies, and public records.
HISTORY: In 1957, R. Gordon Wasson’s groundbreaking Life magazine article, “Seeking the Magic Mushroom,” opened the doors of the Western world to the mysterious realm of psilocybin mushrooms, sparking the psychedelic revolution.
STORY: Decades later, Dr. Lidiya Hart Johnson, a bold neuroscientist with a close connection to Wasson, prepared to break her long silence. She carried with her the key to a labyrinth of secrets—stories woven with mind, myth, magic, and even murder. But as her health rapidly declined, time became her greatest adversary.
That’s when she crossed paths with Christopher Wade, an unhoused combat veteran, haunted by his past and unaware of the destiny that awaited him. Lidiya believed he was the one to safeguard her truth. But unbeknownst to her, Christopher’s own time was running out.
Her Magic Mushroom Memoir is the extraordinary tale of their unlikely partnership and the trips that changed their world—and ours.
It Began With A Shaman In Oaxaca
Interest in writing this historical novel was sparked by the posthumous, 1986 publication of a book by R. Gordon Wasson. It begins with an image of a one-eyed shaman, Aurelio Carreras, who, after consuming thirteen pairs of sacred mushrooms, repeatedly delivered a prophecy. Gordon later recollected:
“His divinatory powers had seemed to us thin, but of course we had duly entered in our notes all that he had said. Grave illness was to strike the Wasson family within the twelvemonth. (The Mazatec word “family” embraces all kin). This seemed on its face unlikely, for my family is unusually small… I had only five first cousins. In January, one of my first cousins, in his 40s and abounding in vitality, suddenly died from heart failure.”
That family member was the father of John H. Wasson, who read about the prophesy many years later.
The Production Team
Writers
John H. Wasson is a physician, an often-cited healthcare researcher, and the author of health-related books published in several languages.
Darren Hackett is a professional writer and the author of The Antiquity: An L.A. Crime Novel. Serendipity brought him the first draft of Her Magic Mushroom Memoir, and he has been a coauthor ever since.
Voice & Technical
Melissa Disney is an award-winning voice actor, singer and writer. A three-time Emmy nominee, she has served as the voice of The Oscars, The Emmys, and other major award shows, and is best known as the voice of the titular character in Nickelodeon’s As Told By Ginger.
Serena Travis is a podcast and audio book producer and an award-winning filmmaker. She has produced thousands of podcast episodes of various genres since 2011.
Consultant
John-Keith Wasson is an award-winning documentary director who has been instrumental in investigating the history that undergirds Her Magic Mushroom Memoir.
People in the Story
Entheogens are psychoactive substances used to induce spiritual or mystical experiences. Her Magic Mushroom Memoir is a fictional story, based on facts, about the impacts of entheogens on people and social structures.
Entheogen Adherents (those whose work was focused on the historical, cultural, spiritual, and/or therapeutic attributes of entheogens): R. Gordon Wasson, Valentina Pavlovna Wasson, Masha Wasson, Maria Sabina, Richard Schultes, Albert Hofmann, Roger Heim, Carl A.P. Ruck, Aldous Huxley.
Entheogen Opportunists (those who were drawn to the utility of entheogens for mind-control experiments or other self-serving purposes): Allen Dulles, Sidney Gottlieb, James Moore, Harold Abramson, Ewen Cameron, George Hunter White, Charles Geschickter, Richard Helms, Timothy Leary.
Behind-the-Scenes Interviews
To accompany you through Her Magic Mushroom Memoir, we share stories, memories, and insights from those who lived them…
Masha Wasson recalls her two-day mule ride in 1955 to the mountains of Oaxaca, where she and her family joined a ceremony led by the legendary shaman, María Sabina.
Inti García Flores shares the story of Huautla today, and how he and his father have dedicated decades to creating a Museum of Mazatec Culture.
Professor Carl A.P. Ruck explains why entheogen is the truest word for the deeply personal and spiritual experience these “magic mushrooms” can inspire—experiences far beyond the limits of the words “hallucinogenic” or “psychedelic.” His publications explore the probable use of entheogens in ancient Greek, Roman, and early Christian ceremonies.
And more voices you won’t want to miss.
Fan Art Welcome
Are you inspired by what you hear in Her Magic Mushroom Memoir? What creative imagery is unfolding in your imagination?
Coming soon… an upload link to share your creations.