The Nature of Drugs: Alexander and Ann Shulgin's History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact of Psychoactive Substances

The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact, Volume One presents a transcription of Alexander Shulgin's introductory 1987 San Francisco State University lectures, recorded by Ann Shulgin. The course examines the question of what defines a drug and surveys the origins of psychoactive substances, the history of US drug law enforcement, human anatomy, the nervous system, drug administration, varieties of drug action, memory, states of consciousness, and research methods. These foundations support Shulgin's broader philosophy of psychopharmacology, individual and societal freedoms, and medicinal and exploratory drug use. The volume is also framed as a historical record of his teaching and thinking, while later volumes are expected to discuss numerous specific compounds. The supplied material identifies the publication date as 2021 in the book description and 2022-03-13 in the page metadata.