The Literature of Psychedelics
Summer 1997
Bob Wallace, Mind Books

An exciting new book on spiritual benefits of entheogens, especially to our society. Includes essays by Albert Hofmann, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, Terence McKenna, Dale Pendell, Tom Roberts, David Steindl-Rast, Rick Strassman, Eric Sterling, Bob Jesse, an d others, and interviews with R. Gordon Wasson and Jack Kornfield. Huston Smith says "These essays constitute the best single inquiry into the religious significance of chemically occasioned mystical experiences that has yet appeared." (1997, Co uncil on Spiritual Practices 1-889725-01-3, 191 page paperback, $14.95)

Textbook of Transpersonal Psychiatry and Psychology
Scotton, Chinen, & Battista

Two main sections: on the theory of transpersonal psychology, from both Western and cross-cultural perspectives; and on clinical practice, with diagnosis, therapy (includes spiritual emergency, near-death experience, religious persons), psychopharmacology , special techniques, and ethics. Includes a great chapter on psychedelic therapy by Drs. Gary Bravo and Charles Grob. Guide to literature, index. (1996, Harper Collins 0-465-09530-5, 463 page hardback, $54.95)

Psycholytic and Psychedelic Therapy Research 1931-1994: A Complete International Bibliography
Torsten Passie

Preface by Prof. Hanscarl Leuner. Includes 687 scientific publications, an overview of Psycholytic (low dose) and Psychedelic (high dose) therapy, and a complete subject index organized by substance, setting, method and treatment result. Hardcover also av ailable. (1997, Laurentius Publishers 3-931614-84-0, 102 page paperback, $25.95)

The Chemistry of Mind-Altering Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Cultural Context
Daniel M. Perrine

Combines basic and advanced chemical theory with history, pharmacology, and some ethnography. Chapters are organized by drug class: opioids, depressants, stimulants, antipsychotics and antidepressants, psychedelics, dissociatives and cannabinoids. The psychedelics chapter includes much on LSD history, uses, synthesis, and structure; also psilocybin, tryptamines, mescaline, other phenethylamines, and MDMA. Many references and notes, structures, basic chemistry appendix, index. (1996, American Chemical Society 0-8412-3253-9, 490 page paperback, $49.95)

Brain Mechanisms and Psychotropic Drugs
Andrius Baskys & Gary Remington (editors)

Includes sections on basic physiology, neurotransmitters (with a chapter on serotonin and dopamine), and psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, neuroleptics, benzodiazepines, nootropics). Chapter references and index. (1996, CRC Press 0-84 93-8386-2, 273 page hardback, $109.95)

On Aztec Botanical Names
Blas Pablo Reko

Important early work by a pioneer of Mexican ethnobotany who helped identify ololiuhqui as psychedelic morning glory seeds and teonanácatl as the sacred mushroom. Translation and commentary by Jonathan Ott. (1996 edition of 1919 work, VWB 3-86135-4 26-8, 60 page booklet, $9.95)

The Ibogaine Story: Report on the Staten Island Project
Paul De Rienzo & Dana Beal

Several themes weave through this personal narrative about the use of ibogaine for treatment of heroin, cocaine, alcohol and other addictions, and the politics involved. Includes the cultural history of addictive drug use and of Iboga use and technical sp eculation on receptor mechanisms of ibogaine and beta-carbolines. Among the six appendices is the book Haoma and Harmaline, about the cultural and linguistic history of Peganum harmala. (1997, Autono-media 1-57027-029-5, 348 page large paperback, $15.95)

To Seed the New Planet: A Story of Self-Realization and Divine Union through Psychedelic Transformation in Nature
John Walker

The story of one man's search for enlightenment and community in Northern California. Through psychedelics and otherwise means, he reaches insights about planetary ecology, the relationships between local and global communities and his nature as a spirit ual being and as an aspect of the Eternal One. Interesting writing and dialog. (1996, Beyond All Publications 0-9645262-9-8, 236 page paperback; $12.95)

Toltecs of the New Millennium
Victor Sanchez

A compelling spiritual autobiography by an anthropologist who studies the Wirrarika in Mexico and then finds manifested an alteration of reality. He examines the way substances such as LSD and peyote generate religious states of consciousness. Publisher's Weekly says, "An interesting read and a revealing examination of sacred territory." (1996, Bear & Co. 1-879181-35-5, 228 page paperback, $13.95)

Hallucinogenic and Poisonous Mushroom Field Guide
Gary Menser

Hip pocket field guide to 24 active mushroom species in the United States plus eight similar poisonous species to avoid. Includes identification key, descriptions, drawings, color photos; background on mycology, a large glossary and a bibliography. Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World by Paul Stamets is a better first book for field identification. (1996, Ronin Publishing 0-914171-89-5, 152 page small paperback, $14.95)

A fast-paced novel about a small group that takes over a warehouse in Oakland, put on wild raves, and experiment with psychedelics, electronics and reality. Their ultimate goal: "to rebirth ourselves as pure consciousness, breaking through time itsel f." First, they must fight the local police, "Plugged" magazine, and a mysterious agency and its mind virus. Fun action, although it has some inaccurate (even dangerous) passing comments about psychedelics. (1997, HarperEdge 0-06-017309-2, 320 page hardback, $16.95)

Ecstasy
Irvine Welsh

British fiction in the form of three novellas about "e" and the rave scene. The last one is perhaps best, about a "chemical romance" between an acid party addict named Lloyd and straight-peg Heather who learns about the "e" experience. Black humor and surreal imagination. (1996, Norton 0-393-31581-9, 282 page paperback, $12.95)

Poems/prayers by Leary, based on the tao te ching, to read before, during, and after psychedelic sessions. Designed to help invoke pure energy flow, cellular consciousness, and external and internal sensations. New edition has nice graphics and introducti ons by Ralph Metzner, Michael Horowitz, and Rosemary Woodruff Leary. (1966/1996, Ronin Publishing 0-914171-84-4, 142 page paperback, $12.95)

The Scientist: A Metaphysical Autobiography
John Lilly

Autobiography of a pioneer of dolphin research and research into altered states catalyzed by psychedelics and isolation tanks. By disassociating the mind from the body, often with ketamine, Lilly explores unusual mental spaces. He self-programs the mind-- and reality--with new beliefs, exploring previously uncharted territories of pure thought. New edition with new introduction, bibliography. (1988/1996, Ronin Publishing 0-914171-72-0, 248 page paperback, $14.95)

The Drug Identification Bible
Tim Marnell

Several interesting sections: prescription drug markings; controlled prescription drug photos and descriptions; 111 pages of great color photos of illicit drug compounds, plants, and paraphernalia; descriptions of illicit drugs with street names, prices, history, sources, distribution, how used, and effects; useful chapter on legal highs; slang dictionary; bibliography. (1997 3rd edition, Drug Identification Bible 0-9635626-2-2, 729 page paperback, $34.95)

(Some papers are in Italian; the ones below are all in English.) Eleusis, Issue 4: Salvia divinorum review (Jonathan Ott); ketamine therapy for alcoholism (Krupitsky); fly agaric use in the 1880's, new African root with ergot alkaloids (Samorini). (1996, 58 page large booklet, $8.95) Eleusis, Issue 5: Josep Fericgla on ayahuasca imagery; Samorini on visionary eye drops; Francesco Festi on Scopolia carniolica; European Solanaceae species and ranges. (1996, 60 page large booklet, $8.95) Eleusis, Issue 6: Gartz, Samorini and Festi discuss a reported mushroom fatality; ethnobotany and pharmacology of Ledum palustre and other Ericaceae; experiments with Salvia divinorum. (1997, 52 page large booklet, $8.95)

Integration, Issue 6

This issue of the German journal has several good papers in English: Toward the Rational Use of Substances from Mind-Manifesting Plants; Stamets and Gartz on a new Pacific Coast psilocybin mushroom; four more papers on entheogenic mushrooms; Reflections o n the Kava Experience. (1995, 80 page large paperback, $29.95)

The Entheogen Review, Issues no. 1-4
Jim DeKorne

The Review quietly collects and shares reports of first-hand experiments with many visionary plants. Many ayahuasca experiments, alkaloid extractions and other recipes, Amanita use, natural lysergics, other exotic plants. (1996, 75 page large booklet, $19.95)

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