When i arrived at shulgin s home in lafayette, california, he was peacefully sitting at the kitchen table. Alexander sasha shulgin, pioneer, pharmacologist, author, and medicinal chemist, passed away this evening at the age of 88. Alexander shulgin was the godfather of ecstasy, playing an instrumental. Ann shulgin laura ann gotlieb was born on march 22nd, 1931, in wellington, new zealand, the child of bernard gotliebamerican consul in wellingtonand his wife, gwen ormiston, new zealander. Hamilton morris, if you are reading this drop eternal atake. In 1991 and 1997, he and his wife ann shulgin authored the books pihkal and tihkal on the. It feels appropriate to begin with a quote about alexander shulgin from hamilton morris, as it was his words that lead to me reading this book. Shulgins songs have topped the russian and eastern european charts such as bratislava lyre 93. The first of alexander shulgins notebooks produced from the 1960s through the 1980s were scanned and made available online in 2007.
Hamilton morris gets high for a living and invites you to watch. A chemical love story kindle edition by shulgin, alexander, shulgin, ann. You may know hamilton from his column in vice, hamiltons pharmacopia, where he. Alexander sasha theodore shulgin 1 born june 17, 1925 in berkeley, california is a russianamerican pharmacologist, chemist and drug developer. For alexander shulgin, mdma had huge therapeutic potential. Books and journals are amassed in strata so deep that they look. He believes in understanding the mind and how it works and how brain, chemistry and.
When i first entered alexander shulgins library, in lafayette, california, i began photographing the books as quickly and thoroughly as i could, starting at the tops of the shelves and moving down, then across, shelf by shelf, to ensure that i had documented everything. Alexander shulgin has written many books and publications. Shulgin, ann and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. A few months before he suffered a stroke, shulgin gave a popular interview to vice medias hamilton morris, which was published in may 2010 under a title the last interview with alexander shulgin. Hamilton morris is the science editor of vice magazine. It is neither plagiarization nor me being ironical.
See all books authored by alexander hamilton, including the federalist, and the essential federalist and antifederalist papers, and more on. Vice magazines hamilton morris went on a pilgrimage to interview sasha shulgin and filed a long report, which is not really an interview. Alexander theodore shulgin, sasha, american biochemist and pharmacologist born june 17, 1925, berkeley, calif. Hamilton morris 1987 is an american journalist and pharmacological researcher. Ive loved him from the first moment i read about him. Hamilton morris is a young writer, chemist and filmmaker. Video of vice magazines hamilton morris interviewing sasha shulgin in his home. He is the grandfather of ecstasy, the molecular magician, the atomic conquistador. Join an incredible journey through the history, chemistry and societal impacts of the worlds most extraordinary drugs. Morris is currently writing books about clandestine chemistry and the murder of mycologist steven h. Hamilton morriss series on, hamiltons pharmacopeia, tries to expand viewers knowledge of drugs and temper a subject that can be romanticized.
Alexander hamilton, 17551804, american statesman, b. Shulgin june 17, 1925june 2, 2014, known to friends and admirers as sasha, was a biochemist and pharmacologist best known for his synthesis, creation, and personal bioassay of hundreds of novel psychoactive compounds. Jun 01, 2012 w hen people ask hamilton morris what he does, he tells them he works in science. Dec 30, 2015 the structure and cannabinoid receptor affinity of the benzoylindole am2233 was first reported in 2001, the compound contains a chiral center in the 2position of the piperidine ring with the more active renantiomer possessing 0. Alexander sasha theodore shulgin 2 born june 17, 1925 died june 2 2014 is an american pharmacologist, chemist. Hamilton morris gets high for a living and invites you to.
This was followed in december 2012 by the release of searchable lab book 1 pdf from the pharmacology series. Sasha shulgin pihkal y tihkal en espanol home facebook. Alexander hamilton was born and spent part of his childhood in charlestown, the capital of the island of nevis in the leeward islands then part of the british west indies. This book gives details of their research and investigations into the use of psychedelic drugs for the study of the human mind, and is also a love story. Hamilton morris is on a mindaltering mission to reveal the truth about psychoactive stimulants from. I love each of the 978 pages of his phenethylamine magnum opus, pihkal phenethylamines i have. Shulgins lab, photo 2010 hamilton morris, ash smith. Aug 09, 2012 a conversation with terence mckenna and alexander sasha shulgin 1993. What they didnt know was that he would come out in favour of legalisation its quite a trip to visit maverick pharmacologist dr alexander shulgin and his collaborator and wife, ann, at their rustic home in california. Im pretty sure somewhere in one of the books he explicitly states that the entries were collected from other individuals. Alexander shulgin is a chemist who has just a career so amazing that youd think he couldnt be a real person. The 12 most important drugs shulgin designed, synthesised and took. As a producer, shulgin has had more than 20 hit albums, five of which were number 1.
Alexander shulgins drew me this diagram toward the end of his life, due to his failing vision the molecule was almost a blind contour, which resulted in the diisopropylethylamine side chain being attached to the indole 2position as opposed to the 3position. The us gave scientist alexander shulgin a licence to make and study illegal drugs. The selfpublished book was half autobiography of shulgin and his wife ann, half. A conversation with terence mckenna and alexander sasha shulgin 1993. Widely considered the most proficient contributor to psychedelics amongst psychonauts. Shulgin, who had been diagnosed with liver cancer before passing away at home in. Hamilton morris on better living through chemistry. The 12 most important drugs shulgin designed, synthesised. Alexander theodore shulgin june 17, 1925 june 2, 2014 was an american medicinal chemist, biochemist, organic chemist, pharmacologist, psychopharmacologist, and author. It doesnt matter, as there can be nothing but gratitude for even a glimpse of what exists for those who can become open to it. It will tell you almost everything you need to know about psychedelics and drugs, in general. In 1991 and 1997, he and his wife ann shulgin compiled the books pihkal and tihkal standing for.
Simply an excerpt from the beginning of a famous schopenhauer essay, which is easily recognizable, and the title of which on reading and books is used as the title of the blog post. What chemists and nonchemists can get out of reading shulgins books. Hamilton morris, prophet of pharmacology interview magazine. Its some of the best, not just best books about drugs ever written, some of the. Early career he was the illegitimate son of james hamilton of a prominent scottish family and rachel faucett lavien daughter of a doctorplanter on nevis and the estranged wife of a merchant. The last interview with alexander shulgin by hamilton morris and ash smith, vice. Jun 11, 2015 nesting, the vice media way thomas morton, left, and hamilton morris, colleagues at vice media, share an apartment in williamsburg, brooklyn. Sasha shulgin luminary learners project by psychdelicacy.
List of books and articles about alexander hamilton. Describing the work of alexander shulgin to the uninitiated is not an easy task. A chemical love story by ann shulgin and alexander shulgin 1991, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Morris has an apartment filled with books like fundamentals to a pharmacology of the mind by corneliu e. Similarly, the spectroscopic data is essentially confined to mass spec. By hamilton morris photos by ash smith alexander shulgin and the author. Sep 08, 2010 vice interviews famed psychedelic chemist alexander shulgin. From alexander hamilton to robert morris, 30 april 1781. When i arrived at shulgins home in lafayette, california, he was peacefully sitting at the kitchen table.
He is a wizard of pharmacology, a psychedelic explorer, a maestro of all things mindaltering. Shulgin s detailed practical procedures have been available for years in pihkal. Alexander shulgin, hamilton morris mustered up the chutzpah. Alexander theodore shulgin american biochemist and. He is credited with introducing mdma ecstasy, mandy or molly to psychologists in the late 1970s for psychopharmaceutical use and for the discovery, synthesis and personal bioassay of over 230 psychoactive compounds. The video version, shulgins i have known and loved, is well worth 20 minutes of your time. Hamilton morris is a frequent contributor to vice and harpers magazine and. Us chemist alexander shulgin, known as the godfather of ecstasy for turning an obscure chemical into a widelyused party drug, has died aged 88, his family says. In subsequent years, shulgin discovered, synthesized, and bioassayed over 230 psychoactive compounds. Shulgin is credited with the popularization of mdma in the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially for psychopharmaceutical use and the treatment of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. There are brief synopses of selected preparations and some literature references, but the majority of dr. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading pihkal. It also contains a complete crossindex into the chemicals of the second half.
While undertaking the work of investigating the chemistry and pharmacology of many varied psychoactive substances, alexander sasha shulgin kept detailed notebooks. Alexander sasha shulgin, the chemist and pharmacologist known for popularising mdma, has died aged 88. Alexander shulgin 19252014 by hamilton morris the fabulist. Alexander shulgin has since passed but hamilton pays ann a visit in the season finale and shes. Hamilton morriss web series hamiltons pharmacopeia the new. Nesting, the vice media way thomas morton, left, and hamilton morris, colleagues at vice media, share an apartment in williamsburg, brooklyn. Sasha shulgin, godfather of ecstasy, dead at 88 gawker. Alexander sasha theodore shulgin2 born june 17, 1925 died june 2 2014 is an american pharmacologist, chemist. Which is a shame, because if he did, theyd get a much more. It was her fourth marriage, and she had four children. Alexander hamiltons confidential letter to robert morris on the government of new york. The 12 most important drugs shulgin designed, synthesised and. Alexander shulgin in his lab 2001, photo the guardian, scott houston. Godfather of ecstasy sasha shulgin who introduced mdma.
Alexander shulgin is a well known psychedelic chemist, and he has. A conversation with terence mckenna and alexander sasha. Alexander theodore shulgin june 17, 1925 june 2, 2014 was an american medicinal. After spending days, weeks, months poring over the work of psychonautinchief, alexander shulgin, hamilton morris mustered up the chutzpah to give him a call and request an interview. Buzzed, how to change your mind, magic mushrooms around the world, neuropsychedelia etc. Shulgin carried on as a freelance chemist and academic, hosting drug testing parties comprised of fellow chemists and psychologists. Shulgin entered harvard university at the age of fifteen and joined the navy at age 19. A life won the pulitzer prize for biography, and alexander hamiltonthe inspiration for the broadway musicalwon the george washington book prize. It will tell you almost everything you need to know about. He is known for his television series hamilton s pharmacopeia, in which he investigates the chemistry, history, and cultural impact of various psychoactive drugs. The first half of tihkal is an excellent commentary on the shulgins personal experiences with tryptamines. Zeff introduced the substance to hundreds of psychologists and lay therapists around the nation, including ann born laura ann gotlieb, whom alexander shulgin met in 1979, and married in 1981.
His first book, the house of morgan, won the national book award, washington. Alexander shulgin was the godfather of ecstasy, playing an instrumental part in introducing the drug to the wider world and, in turn, helping shape club culture as we know it today. Season two of hamiltons pharmacopeia will premiere on viceland in november 2017 the first time i saw anything hosted by hamilton morris was several years ago. Shulgins homebased laboratory, he it called the farm. Shulgin did not write all of the qualitative comments. In 2010, vices contributor and psychedelic connoisseur hamilton morris met with alexander shulgin and his wife ann, also a chemical. The grandfather of ecstasy, alexander sasha shulgin introduced far more to world than just mdma in fact, he is the most prolific chemist of psychotropics with. Hamilton morris of vice visited the shulgins at their home in 2010, and wrote a poignant article called the last interview with alexander shulgin. Hamilton morriss web series hamiltons pharmacopeia. Books 6, 1, and 2 demonstrate what the transcribed shulgin lab books will look like, after the process of deciphering, transcribing, and creating a facsimile takes place. The vital words of alexander hamilton, including essays, private correspondence, and public statements alexander hamilton is best known as the united states first secretary of the treasury and the author of the majority of the federalist papers, a series of essays that outlined the basic concepts and premises of the u. Alexander sasha shulgin, pioneer, pharmacologist, author, and. The last interview with alexander shulgin psychotropicon.
Hamilton morriss web series hamiltons pharmacopeia the. And he tried the psychedelics on himself starting in really small doses, working up to active doses. Alexander shulgin, peetvader van mdma, overleden nieuws. In a few places, given shulgin s handwriting, the age of the documents, and the peculiarities of special characters used in chemistry notation, volunteers were not able to. Their bedrooms are sidebyside cubbies built under a. He is more of a mythological creature, a chemical centaur, than he is a real person. After watching hamiltons pharmacopeia, a new sixpart viceland series about psychoactive. Alexander shulgin was born in berkerely, california on june 17, 1925. Hamilton papers title from alexander hamilton to robert morris, 30 april 1781 author hamilton, alexander recipient morris, robert date 30 april 1781 reference cite as from alexander hamilton to robert morris, 30 april 1781, founders online, national archives, s. Sep 24, 2018 over the span of 50 years he has created more new psychedelic drugs than the amazon jungle ever has. Pihkal phenethylamines i have known and loved is a unique book written by renowned psychopharmacologist alexander shulgin and his wife ann shulgin. How long will this last, this delicious feeling of being alive, of having penetrated the veil which hides beauty and the wonders of celestial vistas.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Sep 20, 2018 the last interview with alexander shulgin by hamilton morris and ash smith, vice. Interview with alexander shulgin by hamilton morris and ash smith, vice. Vice recently sent hamilton morris vbss resident expert in all. Furthermore, shulgin has triumphantly finished his latest book, entitled the.
Interview with alexander shulgin by hamilton morris was published at. A chemical love story paperback or softback by shulgin, alexander and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. And i could tell you his life story, in a condensed way, but ill just do that very quickly. A continuation by alexander shulgin and ann shulgin. Feb 06, 2007 shulgin is the father of extacy mdma but also a lovely wise gentleman scientis with high morals and ethics. Books to order pihkal andor tihkal, please visit the transform press website. Publication of alexander shulgins pharmacology lab books. Hamilton morris was born in new york city, the son of julia. Over the span of 50 years he has created more new psychedelic drugs than the amazon jungle ever has. A chemical love story by ann shulgin and alexander.
Pulitzerprize winning historian ron chernow digs deeply into alexander hamiltons life story. Shulgin was first introduced to chemistry when serving on a navy vessel during world war ii. Interview with alexander shulgin, godfather of ecstasy. Hamilton morris gets high for a living and invites you. Low flat shipping rates and a 60day money back satisfaction guarantee. Lab books, class notes and desiderata from the files of alexander shulgin american libraries uploaded by rkumar on october 5, 2007. Hamilton morris born 1987 is an american journalist and pharmacological researcher. When i first entered alexander shulgin s library, in lafayette, california, i began photographing the books as quickly and thoroughly as i could, starting at the tops of the shelves and moving down, then across, shelf by shelf, to ensure that i had documented everything. Feb 12, 2012 hamilton morriss series on, hamiltons pharmacopeia, tries to expand viewers knowledge of drugs and temper a subject that can be romanticized. Shulgin is the father of extacy mdma but also a lovely wise gentleman scientis with high morals and ethics. Jun 03, 2014 alexander sasha shulgin, who has died aged 88, was a pioneering and fearless scientist, but his chosen discipline the design and synthesis of psychedelic drugs was one of the most. Vice interviews famed psychedelic chemist alexander shulgin. Berkeley historical plaque project shulgin, alexander.
The shulgin lab books august 2017 pharmacology notes c 19861987 a bit about this document. A chemical love story 9780963009609 by shulgin, alexander. Ron chernow is the prizewinning author of six previous books and the recipient of the 2015 national humanities medal. A chemical love story by alexander shulgin and ann shulgin.
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