Handbook of medical hallucinogens

Summary: Given the limited effectiveness of conventional treatment options for many psychological disturbances, there is growing recognition of the need for innovation, and a willingness to examine even compounds once considered taboo, in the search for more efficacious treatments. With that in mind, our end goal with this volume is to create a comprehensive, trans-disciplinary guide that describes the current status of research. The book begins with a thorough discussion of the pharmacology of what are often called the "classic" or "serotonergic" hallucinogens, for which Nichols prefers the term "psychedelics." Following this are several chapters exploring the social, cultural, and political contexts in which the hallucinogens have been used over time. The book also provides an introduction to research conducted in the fields of anthropology and ethnobotany.