A scientific and cultural exploration of the pursuit of altered states of consciousness in both humans and animals

- Contains myriad studies and examples from the author's 20 years of research

- By the foremost authority on the social and psychological effects of drug use

History shows that people have always used intoxicants. In every age, in every part of the world, people have pursued intoxication with plants, alcohol, and other mind-altering substances. In fact, this behavior has so much force and persistence that it functions much like our drives for food, sleep, and sex....