Table of Contents
The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact, Volume 1
The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact, Volume 1 showcases Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin’s renowned course, exploring the definition, mechanism, metabolism, and societal effects of drugs. Originally delivered at San Francisco State University in 1987, these lectures are transcribed to capture Shulgin’s dynamic delivery, enriched with engaging stories and witty remarks. Although it was designed as an introductory course in drugs and biochemistry, the series not only preserves Shulgin’s educational approach but also encapsulates his comprehensive views on drugs, psychopharmacology, consciousness, and the freedoms associated with drug use, whether therapeutic or exploratory.
About the author
Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, PhD (1925-2014), was a groundbreaking chemist in the 21st century. He is best known for his rediscovery and synthesis of MDMA, often called Ecstasy, which he proposed could significantly aid in therapy.
After earning his PhD in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley in 1955, Shulgin secured a position at Dow Chemical Company. There, he developed Zectran, a successful, environmentally friendly pesticide. This achievement allowed him the freedom to later explore his own interests in synthesizing psychoactive substances, spurred by his experiences with mescaline.
Shulgin departed from Dow in 1966 to establish a laboratory at his ranch in Lafayette, California, where he created over two hundred unique psychoactive compounds. Known for his fearless exploration of neurochemistry, Shulgin tested most of these substances on himself, his wife and co-researcher, the late Ann Shulgin, and a close-knit group of friends.
The Shulgins and their companions meticulously documented their experimental adventures, which led to the founding of Transform Press in 1991. Through this platform, they published influential works like PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story (1991) and its sequel TiHKAL: The Continuation (1997), abbreviations for “phenethylamines I have known and loved” and “tryptamines I have known and loved,” respectively. Shulgin’s impact on the field has been highlighted in Netflix documentary series such as “The Business of Drugs” (2020) and “How to Change Your Mind” (2022).
In the 1980s, Shulgin taught a well-received course on drugs and society at San Francisco State University. In 1987, he documented these lectures and discussions, which were later published in the series The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact. The first volume was released in 2021, and the second volume is expected in 2023.