Drugs of natural origin

Plants, mushrooms, amphibians

Cannabis, cocaine, crack, mescaline, hallucinogenic fungi and cacti, opium, heroin, kawa, belladonna, mandrake, nutmeg, ayahuasca, iboga, changa and many others: all civilizations have used psychotropic plants to enter modified states of consciousness and perception, to rise above their condition, to get high, or even to communicate with gods or spirits. Shamans, artists, quidams, researchers or doctors have wanted to feel or understand their psychological and physical effects. Some may be addictive or dangerous and are classified as prohibited narcotic drugs, others have immense medical potential that is still under-exploited, arousing growing interest in the scientific community.

The history of these drugs, the chance of their discovery, their effects and modes of action, their dangers and their legal frameworks are presented in this guide, with many surprising anecdotes, from the aphrodisiacal ointments of witches in the Middle Ages to the drinkers of the urine of fly-killing amanite consumers, as well as a modern cult devoted to toads with hallucinogenic skin…