Summer 2002 Vol. 12, No. 2 From Celebration to Frustration, and Back Again
Drawing It Out: Befriending the Unconscious
A Contemporary Woman’s Psychedelic Journey
The artist/author went through LSD psychotherapy in the 60’s, and expressed this transformational journey in her art. Very powerful and evocative drawings, used in training sessions and seminars by Stan Grof and others, that come from her unconscious and are eloquently described here. Introduction by Stanislav Grof. Recommended.
Sherana Harriette Frances 2002; MAPS 0-9660019-5-8, 128 pg pb, 19.95
LSD Psychotherapy
Exploring the Frontiers of the Hidden Mind
New edition with 8 new color prints and a foreword by Andrew Weil, MD. Written for the psychotherapist who may be interested in the clinical use of LSD. Includes history, basic effects, the psycholytic and psychedelic therapies, adverse effects and contraindications, the course of therapy, indications for use, therapeutic mechanisms, and other uses such as training and self-actualization. Many case studies. Good section on helping people with “bad trips” or other problems. Recommended.
Stanislav Grof 1980/2001; MAPS 0-9660019-4-X, 352 pg pb, 12.95
Ecstasy: The Complete Guide
A Comprehensive Look at the Risks and Benefits of MDMA Anthology of latest information on Ecstasy: its history, physical and mental risks, uses for therapy and recreation, current research, and social issues. Authors include David Nichols, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, Ralph Metzner, George Greer, Charles Grob, Douglas Ruskoff, and Rick Doblin. Appendices, references, index. Recommended.
Julie Holland 2001; Inner Traditions 0-89281-857-3, 464 pg pb, 16.95
Psychoactive Sacramentals Essays on Entheogens and Religion
Excellent continuation of “Entheogens and the Future of Religion,” with 25 new essays on the spiritual benefits of entheogens. Authors include Huston Smith, Stan Grof, Alexander and Ann Shulgin, Albert Hofmann, Dan Merkur, Rick Doblin, Myron Stolaroff, and four clergy members. Recommended.
Thomas B. Roberts (editor) 2001; Council on Spiritual Practices (Promind Services) 1-889725-02-1, 286 pg pb, 16.95
Ibogaine Proceedings of the First International Conference
Ibogaine is a complex psychedelic used to treat heroin and other addictions. This book focuses on its many brain receptor effects, plus its use in treatment, possible neurotoxicity, related alkaloids, and anthropology (both indigenous and underground). It provides clues to the nature of neurochemical addiction, perhaps as it relates to genetic expression. Index.
Kenneth Alper & Stanley Glick (editors) 2001; Academic Press (Harcourt Brace) 0-12-053206-9, 357 pg pb, 79.95
Shamanism The Neural Ecology of Consciousness and Healing
Shamanism is a universal method of healing using altered states of consciousness, which involve slow wave synchronization across the brain to produce adaptive integrative mental states, says the author. He backs this up with both cross-cultural and neurobiological evidence, including psychotherapy styles. Links neurology and phenomenology of altered states of consciousness, shamanism, and visionary experience with psychophysiological dynamics of healing. Bibliography, index.
Michael Winkelman 2000; Bergin & Garvey (Greenwood) 0-89789-704-8, 3218 pg hb, 64.95
Shamanic Snuffs or Entheogenic Errhines Covers three classes of indigenous snuff plants and their active compounds: Virola (5-MeO-DMT), Anadenanthera (4-HO-DMT), and Nicotiana (nicotine); has their history, enthnobotany, chemistry, and effects, plus results of his personal bioassays. Also a chapter on 57 additional snuffs from 134 other species, and one on Ott’s psychonautic experiments; all in Ott’s passionate prose. Illustrations; large bibliography and index.
Jonathan Ott 2001; Entheobotanica (Natural Products) 1-888755-02-4, limited edition of 1026 copies signed and numbered, 160 pg hand-bound leather with cloth slipcase, 99.95
Intoxicating Minds
How Drugs Work
Broad overview of how psychoactive drugs work in the brain, from Prozac to LSD and other recreational drugs, in a non-judgemental way. Also discusses the influence of mind drugs on history, and even human anthropological development, with some lively anecdotes about how some drugs were discovered. Entertaining and informative.
Leslie Iverson 2001; Columbia University Press 0231120168; 180 pg hb, 29.95
The Dream Drugstore Chemically Altered States of Consciousness
Compares the normal waking brain state with the alterations produced by dreams, psychedelics, and schizophrenia; how mind-altering drugs interact with the brain,s mind-altering neurotransmitters. Has some interesting points about the plasticity of the brain, possible problems of long-term use of medical mind drugs, and how dreams, delusions, and psychedelic imagery may all come from a brain shift from aminergenic to cholinergenic neurotransmitter activity. Bibliography, index. Not much on psychedelics, but interesting.
J. Allan Hobson 2001; MIT Press 0-262-08293-4, 348 pg hb, 27.95
Spirit of the Shuar
Wisdom from the Last Unconquered People of the Amazon
Perkins joins his Shuar friend Mariano to tell us about the culture and wisdom of this Equador Amazon group. We learn of love, sex, brotherhood, and war; then more subtle areas of ‘shapeshifting’ (death); the Dreaming; the sacred teacher plants ayahuasca, datura, chicha beer, and tobacco; and the shamans who use them. Glossary.
John Perkins & Shakaim Mariano Shakai Ijisam Chumpi 2001; Inner Traditions 0-89281-865-4, 192 pg pb, 14.95
The Last Sorcerer
Echoes of the Rainforest
Montana doctor on sabbatical in the Peruvian rainforest learns about medicinal and shamanic plants, and is drawn to the tribal cultures. A colorful amazon travel log, with detailed descriptions of various plants and their uses (plus a summary appendix), and his story of disillusionment with Western medicine. Glossary, dictionaries, references.
Ethan Russo 2001; Haworth (Ingram) 345 pg, 0-7890-1269-3 hb 39.95; 0-7890-1270-7, pb, 24.95
Jungle Medicine
The author’s transformation from Midwestern pharmacist to ayahuasquero shaman. After thirty years of dispensing Western medicines, illness and disillusion lead her to don Antonio, a Peruvian healer who initiates and trains her using ayahuasca. She learns to work with its “spirit doctors,” as well as various Amazonian plants to help nature with healing. Glossary and references. A compelling personal story.
Connie Grauds 2001; Citron Bay Press (from author) 1-928595-08-1, 214 pg pb, 14.95
The Psychedelic Sacrament
Manna, Meditation, and Mystical Experience
More evidence (after his book Mystery of Manna) that God’s miraculous bread was made with ergot. Teachings of Philo of Alexandria, Rabbi Moses Maiminides, medieval Islam, and St. Bernard of Clairvaux refer to special meditations used with this sacrament to combine revelation with rational thought to reach religious transcendence. Notes, index.
Dan Merkur 2001; Inner Traditions 0-89281-862-X, 141 pg pb, 12.95
I Was Carlos Castaneda
The Afterlife Dialogs
The author learns about the nature of death, and life, from Carlos Castaneda who comes back from the dead to see him, and from ayahuasca (translated as ‘vine of death’ or ‘vine of the soul’). He finds how our fear of death can keep us from living in conscious harmony with the living earth. By award-winning, gifted storyteller.
Martin Goodman 2001; Random House (Ingram) 0-609-80763-3, 239 pg pb, 11.95
Psychedelic Trips for the Mind
60’s stories by and about Timothy Leary, Jerry Garcia, John Lennon, Ken Kesey, Abbie Hoffman, Groucho Marx, Susie Bright, Ram Dass, Wavy Gravy, Mountain Girl, Squeaky Fromme, Augustus Oswley, Eldridge Cleaver, and of course editor Paul Krassner. Most relate to their LSD experiences. Paul Krassner 2001; High Times (Last Gasp) 1-893010-07-4, 197 pg pb, 15.95
Writing On Drugs
The history of drug use as it has influenced writers and their cultures. Opium and De Quincey, hashish and Ludlow, nitrous and William James, Freud and coca, mescaline and Michaux, LSD and Huxley, and many more drugs and writers. Bibliography and index.
Sadie Plant 1999; Picador (Ingram) 0-312-27874-8, 304 pg pb, 12.95
The Psychopharmacology of Herbal Medicine
Plants That Alter Mind, Brain, and Behavior
The uses and effects of various popular plants; includes hallucinogens as well as cannabis, cognitive enhancers, anxiolytics, psychotherapeutic herbs, and others. Focuses on cognitive effects such as attention, learning, and memory. Good introductions to both brain science and pharmacology as well. Good hallucinogenic plant chapter, with history, pharmacology, brain and mind effects, and other items. References, reading list, index.
Marcello Spinella 2001; MIT Press 0-262-69265-1, 589 pg pb, 24.95
Peyotism and the Native American Church
An Annotated Bibliography
Much has been written about the Native American use of peyote, perhaps because of controversy over this use. Here is a guide to the literature by an expert. 493 entries: the core collection (8), general works (258), and individual tribes (227). Index.
Phillip M. White 2000; Greenwood 0-313-31626-0, 163 pg hb, 73.95
Spirits of the Rainforest
Aspects of the Hyper-Real
As we find stories in clouds and see reflections of the rainforest on the Amazon, new meaning comes from viewing these reflections, sideways, through our sidesight doors of perception. Ayahuasca and awareness of breath helps this process. Mother Earth’s roots sustain us, while Father Sun illuminates the way to transformation. 27 lovely photos.
Demetri Dimas Efthyvoulos 2000; self-published [no isbn], 76 pg wide pb, 21.95
High Art
A History of the Psychedelic Poster
Beautiful art plus history, from the start of the psychedelic movement and early artistic influences (such as the Belle Epoque and art nouveau); through the Filmore and Avalon rock posters by Wilson, Mouse, Griffin, and others; the British scene and artists Waymouth, Sharp, and others; ; some recent works; and about collecting posters. Index.
Ted Owen & Denise Dickson 1999; Sanctuary Publishing (Last Gasp) 1-86074-256-4, 176 pg lg pb, 29.95
Change Your Brain The theme is ‘scientizing the internal’ by studying inner mental states, and how to change them using psychedelics or other methods. Creativity, both artistic and linguistic, is another focus. Based on Leary’s Changing My Mind Among Others (1988).
Timothy Leary (2000 edition); Ronin Publishing 1-57951-017-5, 91 pg pb, 11.95
Ecstasy Its History and Lore
Another British view of MDMA and the rave scene. Has some information on Ecstasy history, effects, problems, music scene, politics, and other tidbits, but not recommended for technical or health data. Index, limited bibliography. Miriam Joseph 2000; Carlton Books (Ingram)
1-85868-862-0, 96 pg pb, 9.95
New Editions
Plants of the Gods
Their Sacred, Healing, and Hallucinogenic Powers
Wonderful, profusely illustrated book on the botany, chemistry, and sacred use of hallucinogenic plants. Starts with a general introduction to the plants and cultures who use them, then briefly describes and illustrates 91 different species. Fourteen get extended chapters on cultural uses, chemistry, and art, including Cannabis, Ergot, Iboga, Ayahuasca, Peyote, San Pedro, and Psilocybe. Best introduction to ethnobotany and plant entheogens. Many color illustrations. Highly recommended.
Richard Evans Schultes & Albert Hofmann 1992; Inner Traditions 0-89281-979-0, 208? pg pb, 29.95
New Periodicals
Entheos #1
The Journal of Psychedelic Spirituality
Premiere issue of periodical devoted to entheogens and their effects on spirituality and religion, with an emphasis on Judeo-Christian mysteries. Reprints the paper defining ‘entheogen’; several articles on Amanita muscaria and the late Richard Evans Schultes; extensive analysis and artwork of Eden in the ‘Entheogenic Vision of Paradise’, and of the ‘Alchemical Pharmacopoeia’; interview with Dr. Strassman. Many color photos.
Mark Hoffman (editor) 2001; self-published, 90 pg lg pb, 15.95
Trip: The Journal of Psychedelic Culture #6.
Re-launch of “TRP: The Resonance Project” magazine. Schultes eulogy, CIIS experiences, 2C-T-7 deaths, drug research subject, Richard Glen Boire interview, psychedelic cultures, DanceSafe Seattle, Charles Hayes (Tripping) interview, corporate metabolism, reviews, Karl Jansen, John Lilly interviews.
Scott O. Moore (editor); Resonant Media, 68 pg lg pp, 5.95
The Heffter Review of Psychedelic Research, Vol 2, 2001
More new research papers on psychedelics. Psychological and neurophysiological effects of MDMA (Vollenweider); differential actions of an entactogen, a stimulant, and a hallucinogen (Gouzoulis-Mayfrank); serotonin receptor signaling and hallucinogen action (C. Nichols & Sanders-Bush); LSD and its lysergamide cousins (D. Nichols); ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for heroin addiction followup (Krupitsky et al). Recommended.
David Nichols (editor) 2001; Heffter Research Institute ISSN 1534-9640, 108 pg lg pb, 9.95
Eleusis (new), Issue 4 What was the kykeon of the Temple of Eleusis? Two long papers take this research to the next level. Plus fly-agarics in Scandinavia; the dream plant of South Africa; plants of New Guinea; Boletus manicus; Maori kava; reviews.
Giorgio Samorini & Jonathan Ott (editors) 2001; SISSC, 186 pg lg pp, 21.95
The Entheogen Review, Vol X, #1 Ott on psychoactive snuffs (see his snuff book), more Trichocerei cacti photos by Trout, short-acting ingestion methods (snorting, vaporization), basifying compounds, another view of DMT, Sources update, feedback, events, books, more.
David Aardvark (editor); 44 pg lg pp, 5.95
The Entheogen Review, Vol X, #2
Ott on Schultes, DMT and Strassman, more Trichocerei cacti photos by Trout, Mind States II and Hofmann, Acornus and Anadenanthera, Salvia divinorum, Boire on Pharmaco Prohibita, Elizabeth Gips eulogy, events, more.
David Aardvark (editor); 36 pg lg pp, 5.95
Journal of Cognitive Liberties, Vol 2 #1
On Cognitive Liberty (Boire); Sadie Plant essay and interview; Creative Agnosticism (Wilson); banning books and sites; entheogen law news.
Sharon O’Toole DuBois (editor), 100 pg pb, 9.95
Journal of Cognitive Liberties, Vol 2 #2
Several essays on the nature of ‘addiction’ to drugs, and to other items such as television. Boire’s testimony about MDMA sentencing; entheogen law news.
Sharon O’Toole DuBois (editor), 100 pg pb, 9.95
Journal of Cognitive Liberties, Vol 2 #3
Virtual Spaces; essays on increased police surveillance after the terrorist attacks; medical necessity defense, global illicit drug trends; entheogen law news.
Sharon O’Toole DuBois (editor), 124 pg pb, 9.95
