A multidisciplinary study of pre-Columbian South America—centering on the psychoactive plant genus Anadenanthera As cultures formed and evolved in pre-Columbian South America, Anadenanthera became one of the most widely used shamanic inebriants. Anadenanthera: Visionary Plant of Ancient South America is more than a comprehensive reference on shamanic visionary substances; it is a useful tool for archeologists and pre-Columbian art historians. This thorough book examines the ritual and cultural use of Anadenanthera from prehistory to the present, along with its botany, chemistry, pharmacology, anthropology, and archeology. The earliest evidence for the use of psychoactive plants in South America is provided by remains of seeds and pods recovered from archeological sites four millennia old. Various preparations were derived from it with the intent of being a shamanic inebriant. Inhaled through the nose, smoked in pipes or as cigars, and prepared in fermented drinks, Anadenanthera served a central role in the cultural development of indigenous societies in South America. Anadenanthera: Visionary Plant of Ancient South America explores the full spectrum of information gleaned from research, covering numerous archeological sites in the Andean region, as well as discussing Amazonian shamanic rituals and lore. Analyses of the artistic expressions within the decorations of associated ceremonial paraphernalia such as ritual snuffing tubes and snuff trays are included. The text is richly illustrated with photographs and images of decorated ritual implements, and provides a comprehensive bibliography. Anadenanthera: Visionary Plant of Ancient South America explores: botanical aspects, taxonomy, and geographical distribution of Anadenanthera ethnographical, historical, and traditional aspects of Anadenanthera use chemical and pharmacological investigations of the genus and the various visionary preparations derived from it—with emphasis on the biologically active constituents theories of the mechanisms of action of the active tryptamines and carboline alkaloids comparisons of wood anatomy, morphology, and percentage of alkaloid content evaluation of stylistic and iconographic traits Anadenanthera: Visionary Plant of Ancient South America is a thorough, useful resource for archeologists, anthropologists, chemists, researchers, pre-Columbian art historians, and any layperson interested in pre-Columbian art, archeology, or visionary plants.

This practical guide to psychoactive drugs reveals fourteen legal and accessible paths on your journey to altered consciousness. Getting high in one form or another has been a part of human life for thousands of years. And while the US government stands in the way of this basic right, there are ways around the restrictions. With each of the fourteen psychoactive substances detailed in this book, you can get high, pass a urine drug test, and never once break the law. Legally Stoned is a practical guide to obtaining and using fourteen mind-altering agents that are both legal and easy to acquire. It also includes a description and history of each item, its chemistry and physiological reactions, accounts of its pleasures and perils, and any risks associated with it. Legally Stoned covers substances such as: • Amanita muscaria mushroom, which induces feelings of euphoria and auditory hallucinations • Anadenanthera peregrina/colubrina seeds, which have been known to cause intense visions of psychedelic light and color • Ayahuasca, which originated in South America and often produces visual hallucinations that include the jungle, exotic animals, even ancient native artwork

With more than 30.000 entries The A-Z Enczclopedia on Alcohol and Substance Abuse is the most complete and comprehensive reference book in the field of Substance Abuse. A useful handbbok and working tool for drug abuse professionals. The Encyclopedia is produced in close co-operation with the ICAA, International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, since its inception in 1907 the world's leading professional non-governmental organisation working with drug-abuse related issues.

Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse, Volume 2: Stimulants, Club and Dissociative Drugs, Hallucinogens, Steroids, Inhalants and International Aspects is the second of three volumes in this informative series and offers a comprehensive examination of the adverse consequences of the most common drugs of abuse. Each volume serves to update the reader's knowledge on the broader field of addiction as well as to deepen understanding of specific addictive substances. Volume 2 addresses stimulants, club and dissociative drugs, hallucinogens, and inhalants and solvents. Each section provides data on the general, molecular and cellular, and structural and functional neurological aspects of a given substance, with a focus on the adverse consequences of addictions. Research shows that the neuropathological features of one addiction are often applicable to those of others, and understanding these commonalties provides a platform for studying specific addictions in more depth and may ultimately lead researchers toward new modes of understanding, causation, prevention, and treatment. However, marshalling data on the complex relationships between addictions is difficult due to the myriad material and substances. - Offers a modern approach to understanding the pathology of substances of abuse, offering an evidence-based ethos for understanding the neurology of addictions - Fills an existing gap in the literature by serving as a "one-stop-shopping synopsis of everything to do with the neuropathology of drugs of addiction and substance misuse - Includes in each chapter: list of abbreviations, abstract, introduction, applications to other addictions and substance misuse, mini-dictionary of terms, summary points, 6+ figures and tables, and full references - Offers coverage of preclinical, clinical, and population studies, from the cell to whole organs, and from the genome to whole body

For all those who might like to believe that drug use has been relegated to the suburban rec rooms and ghetto crack houses of the late twentieth century, The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances offers shocking, yet thoroughly enlightening evidence to the contrary. In fact, from Neolithic man to Queen Victoria, humans have abused all sorts of drugs in the name of religion, tradition, and recreation, including such "controlled substances" as chocolate, lettuce, and toads. From glue-sniffing to LSD to kava, The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances provides the first reliable, comprehensive exploration of this fascinating and controversial topic. With over one hundred entries, acclaimed author Richard Rudgley covers not only the chemical and botanical background of each substance, but its physiological and psychological effect on the user. Of particular value is Rudgley's emphasis on the historical and cultural role of these mind-altering substances. Impeccably researched and hugely entertaining, The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Substances will appeal to anyone interested in one of the most misunderstood and yet also most widespread of human activities - the chemical quest for an altered state of consciousness.

With contributions by numerous experts