Got the feeling the author rushed a bit in the interpretations of Benjamin; the burning man chapters subtract seriousness from an otherwise fascinating analysis of how certain sub cultures interpret the use of psychedelics. The analysis is interesting and keeps alive the question of why these substances remain taboo if they help inner contemplation without being poisonous

This book takes you through several interesting anecdotes about psychedelics as well as giving a minor description of the various types of psychedelics. Super interesting stories. There is a chapter towards the end where the author takes a step back to warn the reader about the dangers of dabbling with unearned wisdom. Gave me a semi.

More than what it says on the fly leaf. This is about e writer’s journeys into psychedelics and shamanism, yes, but it weaves in deep observations of social critique, political and economic theory and human history, and the nature of reality… really good. 4.5

almost done, dont want to be tho, becz this book raises so many interesting opinions of the flat rational world we westerners live in as compared to the world where everything is alive and the plants can show us many other worlds or at least understanding. dont want to drop acid now but do want to hold still in a forest and listen...the dalai lama says that when all the paved roads meet, the world will end, as we ashphalt ourselves away from any touch of nature...

Pinchbeck is the embodiment of a modern Huxley, Castaneda and McKenna. His descriptions are believable, honest and valuable. Anyone with a remote interest in shamanism will enjoy this book. I will say that every once in a while, his ideas seem to carry themselves away and take him along. Keep that in mind, but for the most part, this is an excellent book.

An all time favourite. Pinchbeck brings his most erudite prose and deep thinking to a year of losing his mind. I refer to him often and will likely think about it forever.

p37. Ibogaine in breaking addiction: One theory is that ibogaine restores a balance between the brains two hemispheres. Dr. Carl Anderson of McLean Hospital, Virginia believes that people prone to addiction suffer from an imbalance between the left and right hemispheres. The conventional model is that our "rational" processes-language, logic, scientific thoughts- spring from the left hemisphere, while the right hemisphere controls the "irrational" processes-emotions, intuitions

p196. psychedelics revealed to Terrence McKenna "a curious literary quality running across the surface of existence.".... the world is made out of language, woven from myth-in other words, an objectified expression of consciousness.

p228. "The last best hope for dissolving the steep walls of cultural inflexibility that appears to be channeling us toward true ruin is a renewed shamanism"-McKenna

p236. Alcohol, for McKenna, is the "dominator drug par excellence." "nor other drug has had such a prolonged detrimental effect of human beings, " he writes. "Alcohol and slavery often went hand in hand across the economic landscape... A 'besotted underclass' was a permanent fixture of mercantile society whether in the home countries or the colonies." The opposite of hallucinogenic openness, alcohol leads to a narronwing of conscsiounesss, a "condition of efo obesession and inability to resist the drive toward immediate gratification." repression of women, frat rapes, and wife beatings are typical outcomes of the alcoholic lifestyle.

This book is eloquently written and is something that those just beginning to dabble in the subject area will enjoy. One thing that I do admire about Pinchbeck's book is that it does not shy away from the darker side of psychedelics - a very honest and insightful personal journey. However, for those more versed in the subject area I would more highly recommend the books that he has listed in his acknowledgments!

An interesting book but seemed all over the place in writing style.

An interesting survey of various psychedelic substances and the cultures of which they are a part.

It's REALLY difficult, it seems, to give descriptions of these experiences. Pinchbeck is successful in this for the most part. Much will be familiar, particularly the history LSD and peyote in North America.

There were a few moments when he lapsed into some amateur physics concerning DNA and was inconsistent about the dangers of various drugs, but these are minor.

Recommended.

When I read this I was in love with a very sociopathic, drug and alcohol addicted guy who was completely and utterly obsessed with psychedelics... and himself. Of course, I didn't see him in this light until after I had gotten out of that abusive situation. He had really wanted me to read this book, and because I was young, dumb and felt the need to impress, I read it. He loved the book, I however, thought the author was extremely arrogant and couldn't see past his drug addiction. I remember even going so far as think that the author was a tad narcissistic because it seemed whenever another person disagreed with his viewpoint he didn't want to hear them out. Won't be reading any non-fiction anymore if I can avoid it. Keep your psychedelics. I'll stick to pixie stix.

pinchbeck has made a name for himself
every group has a pinchbeck
its the cool guy of the group
the one who knows how to talk to people
the one who knows how to get people to listen by tweaking into their interests
pinchbeck is the hipster of the modern entheogenic shamanic movement
by far, he isnt the next leary (thank god)
in fact he devotes time in this book to express the fanatical flaws of leary

breaking open the head is an account along the lines of narby's cosmic serpent
in this case it isnt a revelation of understanding science, but more so a revelation of the self
pinchbeck seems eager and youthful, which may come off as an adolescent approach
even if so, it is an alternative viewpoint of an area for the most part unmapped in modern culture