TIHKAL: The Continuation serves as the sequel to PIHKAL: A Chemical Love Story, yet it is accessible independently to any reader. While “PIHKAL” delves into phenethylamines, “TIHKAL” explores tryptamines, a group of psychoactive drugs. The title “TIHKAL” stands for “Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved.”
About the authors
Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin
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 left Dow in 1966 to set up a laboratory at his ranch in Lafayette, California. There, he created over two hundred unique psychoactive compounds. Known for his bold exploration of neurochemistry, Shulgin tested most of these substances on himself, his wife and co-researcher, the late Ann Shulgin, and a close group of friends.
The Shulgins and their companions meticulously documented their experimental adventures. This documentation led to the creation of Transform Press in 1991. They used this platform to publish influential books like “PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story” (1991) and its sequel “TiHKAL: The Continuation” (1997). These titles are acronyms for “phenethylamines I have known and loved” and “tryptamines I have known and loved,” respectively. Shulgin’s impact on the field has been featured 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. The series “The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact” later published them. The first volume was released in 2021, and the second volume is expected in 2023.
Ann Shulgin
In 1991, Ann Shulgin (1931-2022) and her husband, Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin, founded Transform Press. Their goal was to explore psychoactive compounds without censorship. They wrote and published “PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story” (1991) and “TiHKAL: The Continuation” (1997). These works reflect their psychedelic experiences. The books led to regular discussion groups on psychedelics and psychopharmacology, led by the Shulgins. They also collaborated on works like “The Secret Chief,” “The Secret Chief Revealed,” and “Ecstasy: The Complete Guide.”
Ann also worked as a lay therapist, using MDMA and 2CB in therapeutic settings while they were legal. Her approach incorporated a Jungian perspective, focusing on Shadow integration and a broader theme of spirituality and connection with the divine.