Psychedelics Encyclopaedia

From Library Journal Psychedelic drugs have been disparaged, exalted, politicized, romanticized, and outlawed. This extraordinary volume covers the history of their development and the controversies surrounding them, including the important role played by such figures as Timothy Leary, Richard Nixon, and the CIA in politicizing their use. For LSD, peyote, marijuana, and a variety of drugs both natural and manufactured, the history, botany, chemistry, form of preparation, and distinct mental and physical effect on the user are detailed. Wisely, this book neither defends nor denigrates the use of these substances but presents well-organized and thoroughly researched information on a controversial subject. An excellent reference source for scientific and social research, this book is highly recommended. - Gail Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology Lib., Alfred Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. Robert Anton Wilson, author of the Illuminatus books Peter Staffords encyclopedic guide to psychedelics is a gas to read. It is scholarly, hip scientific, witty, well-written, hopeful, and a treasure chest of weird and wonderful information. Psychedelics Encyclopedia is a fascinating historical reference on psychedelics-from the LSD-25 of the 60s to the memory enhancers of today. It draws from scientific research, personal accounts, and popular literature to document the properties attributed to psychedelic substances, their preparation and use, and the shifting social attitudes towards them over the past half-century. This is a remarkable sourcebook for anyone interested in the psychological, biological, physiological, and cultural aspects of psychedelics. Information on the history, botany, pharmacology, physical effects, mental effects, forms, and sources for: The LSD Family Marijuana & Relatives Peyote Mescaline & San Pedro Psychoactive Mushrooms The MDA Cluster Yage & Harmaline Ibogaine Short Acting Tryptamines (DMT, DET, DPT) Other Psychoactive Substances Traces the history of the use of hallucinogenic drugs and discusses the psychological and physical effects of LSD, marijuana, mescaline, and other drugs.