Hallucinogens: Cross-Cultural Perspectives - Softcover

De Rios, Marlene Dobkin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 185327061X ISBN 13: 9781853270611

Publisher: Prism Pr Ltd, 1990

Synopsis

This book surveys the use of mind-altering plants in eleven societies in the Americas, Asia, Australia and New Guinea, ranging from the hunter-gatherers to complex ancient civilizations such as the Inca, the Moche, and the Maya. Those interested in rituals and religions of traditional societies and folk medicine will find a great deal of information in this concise, illustrated volume. Several themes emerge from de Rios's cross-cultural examination of sacred plants. She argues convincingly that plant hallucinogens, which have been used from time immemorial, influenced human evolution. She discusses religious beliefs, including those of shamanism, which may have been influenced by the mind-altering properties of particular plants. She also focuses on the ways in which hallucinogens have influenced ethical and moral systems.

About this title

From the Publisher:

Consider these related titles of interest also available from Waveland Press: de Rios, Visionary Vine: Hallucinogenic Healing in the Peruvian Amazon (ISBN 0881330930); Furst, Flesh of the Gods: The Ritual Use of Hallucinogens (ISBN 0881334774); and Knipe, Culture, Society, and Drugs: The Social Science Approach to Drug Use (ISBN 0881338419).

About this edition

• Publisher: Prism Pr Ltd
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 185327061X
• ISBN 13: 9781853270611
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256