Addiction Research & Theory
2008
Phil Dalgarno
16 citations
Since the mid 1990's a number of publications have appeared in the UK and Europe and stimulated interest in a number of psychoactive plants native to South and Central America that had previously been relatively obscure outside of their places of origin. While information describing the effects of these together with extraction techniques was widely available, the plants themselves remained...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2007
Phil Dalgarno
21 citations
Salvia divinorum is a hallucinogenic plant native to Mexico, where the Mazatec Indians use it in divinatory rituals as a facilitator for contacting the spirits of the dead. A number of traditions surrounding the ritualistic use of Salvia are still observed. Generally the leaves are chewed for the visionary effects. Salvia has recently been embraced by Western drug cultures, where the...
Addiction Research & Theory
June 1, 2005
Phil Dalgarno, David Shewan
54 citations
The central proposition of this article is that if people are thoughtful, well-prepared and aware of the means and best environments for using a particular drug, then the risks associated with the use of a particular drug – any drug – can be minimal. The types of drugs discussed in this context focus on those assumed to be the most ‘addictive’ – heroin and cocaine – to those less well-known but...
BMJ
August 17, 1996
David Shewan, Phil Dalgarno, Leslie A. King
14 citations
EDITOR,—There is increasing concern over the toxic1 and neurodegenerative2 effects of ecstasy, and further research is clearly required. Potential hazards can also, however, arise through use of tablets sold as ecstasy that contain substances other than ecstasy, such as ketamine. Ketamine is an anaesthetic agent with a rapid action that has medical and veterinary applications. Drug users who...
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
1996
Phil Dalgarno, David Shewan
Semistructured interviews were carried out with 20 illicit users of ketamine in Scotland. Participants had used a wide range of illegal drugs. Scottish drug agencies reported limited contact with ketamine users; however, subjects were knowledgeable regarding the licit purpose of ketamine, its effects, and its legal status. Ketamine was usually obtained through diversion from legitimate sources....