Pihkal: A Chemical Love Story

by Ann Shulgin and Alexander Shulgin

Book Overview

Alexander (better known as "Sasha") and Ann Shulgin's foundational work in the genre was the first book to fully impart the how-to chemistry, and convey the effects, of many of the entheogenic drugs that are currently being studied and used to heal trauma and deal with death. An acronym for "Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved", the book spans autobiography, organic chemistry, politics, ethnobotany, and psychopharmacology, and the cultural...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0963009605
• ISBN13: 9780963009609
• Release Date: October 1990
• Publisher: Transform Press
• Length: 978 Pages
• Weight: 2.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.8" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A monumental work on drug structure.

While the story itself is rather interesting, the last section of PIHKAL ('book II') is the true star. It's not a story...it's a list of aprox. 200 psychoactive and potentially psychoactive drugs, each lovingly described as to structure, synthesis, dosage, and effects. Each item is based on the core skeleton of phenyl-ethyl amine, which Shulgin laboriously explored at virtually every point, substitutive alkyl groups, thio groups, halides, etc. (Methoxy ring substituents are especially popular in his work.) The result is an astonishing array of hallucinogens, amphetamines, and some seemingly inert materials. While he is perhaps best known for his work on MDMA, the drug that would later gain infamy as the illegal drug 'ecstasy', it will surprise most readers to discover that MDMA is only one of an entire family of psychoactive drugs, each with their own sometimes subtle, sometimes astonishing differences. A truly extraordinary, landmark work for the pharmacologist, or simply those curious about psychoactive drugs from a more technical, exploratory stance. (That said, if you wouldn't know a carbon atom from a Honda Civic, you'll still like the biographical part, which is anything but dry and technical.)

Important scientific biography, interesting new-age history

I had assumed this book to be new-age fluff after havingseen it referenced so often in other new-age fluff books.So I was quite surprised to find that it is really afascinating scientific biography, a genre I am personally addicted to. The 'love story' wanders into thefluff zone occasionally, and the chemistry recipe book wanders into extreme alchemical arcana, but overall itsa comprehensive compendium that is unique as far as I know,and a valuable record of the behind-the-scenes historyof the California new-age 80's. I am only puzzled at Dr. Shulgin's lack of comment or experience in the traditionalspiritual practices, since even though he frequented Zen centerswhile doing his assays, he seems not to be the least curiousas to the perspectives of these traditions. I was also interested to read more about the mysterious therapistreferred to as 'Jacob' in the book 'The Secret Chief' by authorMyron Stolaroff. Check out this book after 'Pikhal' and youwill get a fresh and equally important perspective on thepractices of this seminal group of psychic healers/explorers.somebody oughta make a movie! :)

Pihkal: It will change you.

This book is divided into two halves. The first half is the story of Shulgin's life, from childhood to modern times. It is a moving and beautiful tale of one man's attempt to make sense of the world and his place in it. Intertwined in this personal experience is a budding love affair with a woman who could only be rated as amazing. The second half consists of Shulgin's recipes and notes on the synthesis of every compound in the Phenethylamine category that he has ever made.Overall, this book will change the way you feel about psychedelics, and the reasons that people use them. The story is at times inspiring, at times heartbreaking, and always genuine. Highly recommended as an introduction to the spirituality behind psychedelics and some of the issues involved with them.

Excellent. A prerequisite to the world of psychedelic drugs

This book is fascinating. It is not an "I like trippin' and listenin' to the Dead" book. It is a very thorough, interesting account of the work of two very intelligent and thoughtful people in the area of psychedelic drugs and their influence on/application to human life. Here's a quote that gives some idea of the orientation of the book: of marijuana (not a phenethylamine, and thus, not really addressed fully in the book), Shulgin writes, "I have chosen not to use marijuana, as I feel the light-headed intoxication and benign alteration of consciousness does not adequately compensate for an uncomfortable feeling that I am wasting time." Of psychedelics, he writes, "the potential of the psychedelic drugs to provide access to the interior universe, is, I believe, their most valuable property." This isn't a book about seeing jerry-bears and setting up clandestine labs. It's an introduction to a new way of exploring one's relationship to the rest of the universe. It is wonderful and an invaluable resource to all who are willing to try to deal with this piece of the puzzle.