The Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Substances - Hardcover

Rudgley, Richard

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 031219868X ISBN 13: 9780312198688

Publisher: St Martins Pr, 1999

Synopsis

Challenging conventional mythology on the subject, this informative illustrated guide to psychoactive drugs explores the wide and wacky world of psychodelics, from the age-old practice of poppy growing, to the morphine craze of the nineteenth century, to the recent popularity of Ecstasy.

About this title

Review:

What's in that "smart drink," exactly? The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances gives up the goods on well over 100 drugs, plants, and animals capable of altering mood and thought. From ergot to Ecstasy, author Richard Rudgley provides in-depth ethnographic and historical information on past and current use, as well as the changing social attitudes toward this motley assortment of fun-loving chemicals. While short on pharmacological and scientific information--this is no PDR--The Encyclopedia is wildly entertaining and informative about the actual use and meaning of psychoactives.

Did you know there are species of hallucinogenic fish? That ants have been used in vision quests? That barbiturates were named for St. Barbara? The book pulls together little-known facts from a variety of literature and produces cohesive, well-documented entries equally well suited to the student and the browser. Rudgley focuses more on naturally occurring substances than lab creations, but the big synthetics like LSD, PCP, and cocaine all get fair coverage as well. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances is a welcome and much-needed resource for the intrepid psychonaut. --Rob Lightner

From the Publisher:

"Rudgley's encyclopedia...will deeply satisfy the curious. He has an impressive frame of reference, from ancient Verdic texts to the Ramones; and it's to his great credit that he can mention the latter without seeming like a dork...." --Modern Review on The Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Substances

"Should be required reading for all legislators who think disliked substances can be made to vanish by means of criminal sanctions." --Andrew Weil, M.D., on The Alchemy of Culture: Intoxicants in Society

"A splendid contribution to the new wave of scholarship that is forcing a different approach to our ages-old fascination with hallucinogenic plants and altered states. Richard Rudgley is to be congratulated." --Terrance McKenna on The Alchemy of Culture: Intoxicants in Society

About this edition

• Publisher: St Martins Pr
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 031219868X
• ISBN 13: 9780312198688
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 302