R. Gordon Wasson

R. Gordon Wasson was an American banker, mycologist, and ethnobotanist, best known for his research on mushrooms, particularly their use in traditional rituals. He popularized the idea that certain psychoactive mushrooms, like psilocybin-containing species, have been utilized in various cultures for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. Wasson's work, including his influential article in *Life* magazine in 1957 and his book "Mushrooms, Russia and History," sparked interest in the intersections of psychedelics, culture, and religious practices. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern studies into the effects and implications of psychoactive substances.