Ann and Alexander 'Sasha' Shulgin were psychedelic pioneers, and their immense influence continues to be felt today. In this episode, I discuss my meeting them as a young toxicologist-in-training and the lessons I've learned from them over the years. Sasha Shulgin was a chemist and psychopharmacologist who invented about 200 psychoactive compounds including the 2C-series. He was also the first person to synthesize, and then take MDMA in the US, introducing it to others including therapists such as Leo Zeff, who would incorporate it into psychedelic-assisted therapy. Ann Shulgin was a therapist, researcher and writer who explored the emotional and spiritual side of psychedelics. With the science and the art of it, the Shulgins were a perfect team to carry out important psychedelic research.

Books I've referenced in the episode:

Pihkal: Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved by Alexander and Ann Shulgin
https://www.amazon.com/Pihkal-Chemical-Story-Alexander-Shulgin/dp/0963009605

Tihkal: Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved by Alexander and Ann Shulgin
https://www.amazon.com/Tihkal-Continuation-Alexander-Shulgin/dp/0963009699

The Secret Chief Revealed by Myron J Stolaroff
https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Chief-Revealed-Revised-Conversations/dp/B09RFY9VY5


Websites I've referenced:

Shulgin Farm: shulginfarm.org
Alexander Shulgin Research Institute: shulginresearch.net
Erowid: www.erowid.org

Please rate&review, share, and follow the podcast!

Instagram: @humanschoolpodcast & @patilarmenianmd

Music courtesy of Zach Effron, MD