Hallucinogens have been traditionally used to encourage spiritual growth, heighten perception, inspire personal development, or expand reality. Comprehensive Guide to Hallucinogenic Plants focuses on ethnobotanical aspects of hallucinogenic plant species, featuring history on how they were used in ancient societies, identifying chemical compounds, and explaining modern medicinal uses, as well as conservation initiatives. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural, countrywide, environmental, and scientific importance of these medicinal plants.
Some of the 50 plants covered in this work include: ayahuasca, ginger, kanna, dream herb, iboga, peyote, canary broom, coral tree, catnip, wild rue, kava, mandrake, and golden angel's trumpet. Each chapter includes information on historical plant use and identification of chemical compounds, and explains modern medicinal uses. The text highlights the importance of studying, evaluating, and utilizing these plants not in isolation, but from a global perspective.
Comprehensive Guide to Hallucinogenic Plants appeals to plant scientists, botanists, ethnobotanists, pharmacologists, and those with an interest in alternative or herbal medicine.
Noureddine Chaachouay is a professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) of Berrechid, Hassan First University in Settat, Morocco, has had a distinguished academic and professional journey. His educational background is deeply rooted in the sciences, particularly botany and life sciences. He achieved his Doctorate Degree in Sciences in 2020 from the Faculty of Sciences at Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, with his thesis focusing on the Floristic and Ethnomedicinal Study of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants in the Rif region of Northern Morocco. Before his current role as an assistant professor, which he has held since 2020, he spent five years teaching secondary school in life and earth sciences in the Provincial Directorate of Education in Salé, Morocco. His credentials, which include a Certificate of Pedagogical Qualification for Secondary Education and a Certificate of Recognition of Success in the Professional Aptitude Examination for Secondary Education, further demonstrate his dedication to education. His technical skills are grounded in his diploma in systems and network computing. As a researcher, he is keenly interested in studying the use of plants in various areas, such as alternative medicine, pharmacy, cosmetics, clothing, rituals, flavors, fragrances, and dyes. In recognition of his contributions to scientific research, Pr. Noureddine was awarded the prestigious Hassan First University Prize for Scientific Research in 2023, underscoring his status as a "young researcher." This accolade is a testament to his commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. His academic and professional experiences reflect a deep commitment to education and research, particularly in botany, climate change, and sustainable development.
Abdelhamid Azeroual is a professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) of Berrechid, Hassan First University of Settat, Morocco. He got his Ph.D. from Mohammed V-Agdal University in Rabat, Morocco. He has over 20 years' experience in research, teaching, and administration. As part of his professional activities, he has received several scientific research grants (German DAAD, etc.) and participated in several European Tempus programs. As a permanent member of the "Agri-Food and Health" research laboratory, he first developed his research on the ichthyofauna of the continental waters of Morocco, conducting the very first assessment of North African freshwater fish in 2007. He later extended his area of research to include the field of aromatic and medicinal plants. Since then, he has successfully published numerous papers in reputed and internationally recognized journals and several book chapters for internationally renowned publishers.
Zidane Lahcen is a professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco, since 1997. His work focuses primarily on plant species, and agro-industrial production. This indicates a strong focus on applied biological sciences, especially in areas that intersect with botany, agriculture, and biotechnology. In addition to teaching, he is interested in research on the use of medicinal and aromatic plants by the local communities of Morocco. In addition, he is also the owner of a project focused on the inventory and preservation of plant species at the national level in Morocco. This project aims to establish the cataloging and mapping of the different plant species present in Morocco and the identification of threatened or endangered species. Given his position and area of expertise, Professor Lahcen is involved in teaching, mentoring students, and contributing to the academic community at the university. His role as a professor at a higher education institution confirms his commitment to educating the next generation of scientists and researchers in plant biology.
