Mescaline

Mike Jay is an eminent writer on mind-stilling and mind-expanding substances [. . .] Mescaline reads like the culmination of a lifetimes wanderings in the very farthest out-posts of scientific and medical history Ian Sansom, The Guardian Mike Jays history of mescaline use is a bit of a mind-altering experience itselfThe Economist Thoroughly researched book is strong on drug's social significance Katherine Waters, The Art Desk Jay, as with his many other works, expertly places the important details in these larger trends, and the result is a wonderfully engaging narrative; informative and entertaining Robert Dickins, Psychedelic Press What Mike Jay's history of mescaline illustrates is that although we may not grasp how, the context of a trip determines its destination Kate Womersley, TLS Jay takes his readers on a journey through history, beginning with the medicinal and ceremonial use of mescaline-containing plants by the indigenous peoples of Mexico thousands of years ago, and the adoption of peyote by some Native American peoples Zoe Hackett, Chemistry World Mike Jay has written a highly detailed but very readable and fascinating history of the use of mescaline throughout the agesPeter Carpenter, British Society for the History of Medicine "This is a terrific account of mescaline, the first psychedelic. Mike Jay has nailed it."Michael Pollan, author of How to Change Your Mind "Mike Jay is the Neil Armstrong of today's psychonauts. In Mescaline an incredible amount of scholarly and personal research is beautifully presented and ordered in a sensible chronology that really works to channel potentially disruptive and mad matter into a fascinating cultural history. I just Ioved the last chapter which brought everything back to its proper place in a careful Native American ritual. It made the most emotionally satisfying ending to an extraordinary trip..." Nicholas Rankin, author of Telegram from Guernica 'Mike Jay is one of the most wise, well-informed, clever and funny voices on drugs in the world. Everyone should read everything he writes - it is consistently brilliant'Johann Hari, author of Chasing the Scream and Lost Connections

Mike Jay has written extensively on scientific and medical history. His books on the history of drugs include High Society: Mind-Altering Drugs in History and Culture and The Atmosphere of Heaven. He lives in London.