Peyote: History, tradition, politics, and conservation. Well written, informative, comprehensive, and enlightening, the book will be welcomed by counselors, anthropologists, historians, physicians, chemists, lawyers, and observers of the contemporary drug scene, as well as by interested general readers. Greatly expanded and brought up to date from the 1980 edition, these pages describe peyote ceremonies and the participants’ experiences, and also cover the many scientific and legal aspects of using the plant. Within this volume are answers to these and dozens of other questions surrounding the controversial and remarkable cactus.
What is it in peyote that causes such unusual effects? Can modern medical science learn anything from Native Americans’ use of peyote in curing a wide variety of ailments? What is the Native American Church, and how do its members use peyote? Does anyone have the legal right to use drugs or controlled substances in religious ceremonies? For chemists, pharmacologists, and psychiatrists, the plant is fascinating in its complexity and in the ways its chemicals work upon the human mind. For many Native Americans, it brings an ability to reach out of their physical lives, to communicate with the spirits, and to become complete. It touches on a wide array of topics concerning peyote, from chemistry, biology, and medical uses, to legal aspects, culture, history, and others.ĭry whiskey, divine herb, Devil’s root, medicine of God, peyote for some people, to use it is to hear colors and see sounds.
Anderson’s book is still, by far, the most comprehensive and informative resource about peyote. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press.Įven 30 years later, Edward F.
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