ABSTRACT Aim To extend previous reviews by assessing the acute systemic toxicity and psychological hazards of a dimethyltryptamine and β‐carboline brew (ayahuasca/hoasca) used in religious ceremonies. Method A systematic literature search, supplemented by interviews with ceremony participants. Results No laboratory animal models were located that tested the acute toxicity or the abuse potential...
This article describes a personal experience of altered consciousness as a result of ingesting "magic mushrooms" (psilocybin). It also briefly notes the reactions of Fred Skinner and Abraham Maslow to a report to them of this experience made by the author when he was a graduate student 30 years ago. Familiarity with the effects of hallucinogens may facilitate communication with terminally ill...
A procedure is outlined for comparing dependence potential and acute toxicity across a broad range of abused psychoactive substances. Tentative results, based on an extensive literature review of 20 substances, suggested that the margin of safety ("therapeutic index") varied dramatically between substances. Intravenous heroin appeared to have the greatest risk of dependence and acute lethality;...