Hi, I’m Byron Watkins, and welcome to Alien Psychedelics. This site is my corner of the internet for mycology, psychedelic science, and the many ways fungi intersect with culture, health, and the natural world. I started Alien Psychedelics because I kept meeting people who were curious about mushrooms and psychedelics but didn’t know where to find clear, grounded information. There is so much noise online, and not enough conversation that treats these topics with both curiosity and respect. I wanted to build a place where beginners and experienced enthusiasts could read, learn, and explore without feeling talked down to or sold to.
My own interest in fungi started in the woods. I was on a hike years ago and noticed how many different mushrooms were growing along the trail, and I realized I knew almost nothing about them. That curiosity turned into a hobby, and the hobby turned into years of reading, growing, and learning. I’ve spent a lot of time cultivating gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, studying fungal ecology, and following the latest research in medicinal chemistry and psychedelic-assisted therapy. I’m not a doctor or a lawyer, and I don’t pretend to be. I’m a writer and enthusiast who cares deeply about getting the details right and being honest about what we know and what we don’t.
At Alien Psychedelics, I cover several areas in depth. I write about mushroom strains and species, including how to identify them and what makes them distinct. I explore microdosing, including the research, the anecdotal reports, and the harm reduction principles that should guide any responsible conversation. I publish cultivation guides for people who want to grow mushrooms at home, from understanding spores and substrates to harvesting and drying. I also dig into medicinal chemistry, looking at the compounds fungi produce and why researchers are so interested in them. And I keep an eye on psychedelic news, from policy changes to clinical trials to cultural shifts.
What can you expect to find here? Practical information, thoughtful commentary, and a genuine love for the subject. I don’t hype things up or make wild claims. I try to write the kind of articles I wish I had found when I was first starting out. Whether you are here to learn how to grow your first batch of oyster mushrooms, understand the science of psilocybin, or just read something interesting about the fungal kingdom, I’m glad you’re here. Thanks for reading, and feel free to reach out if you have questions or ideas.