Essential Substances: A Cultural History of Intoxicants in Society

by Richard Rudgley

From opium in Stone Age caves to crack on our own streets, intoxicants have always played a deeply significant role in society. In this entertaining and provocative look at the uses and abuses of mind-altering drugs through history, Richard Rudgley shows how our attitudes toward these substances have been shaped by cultural values, and how our own use of intoxicants like alcohol, coffee, tea, and tobacco is an integral part of the age-old worldwide quest for altered states.
Essential Substances is a magical tour of the fantastic and often bizarre world of intoxicants peopled by tribesmen and mystics, statesmen and writers, housewives and yuppies. From the traditional mind-altering substances - like magic mushrooms in Siberia, tobacco and peyote in the Americas, qat in Africa, and betel in Southeast Asia - to the psychoactive plants of medieval witchcraft, hallucinogens like LSD and marijuana, and stimulants like coffee, tea, and cocoa, Rudgley cogently shows how the significance of these substances extends beyond simple pleasure to the economic, political, and sexual life of the community. In the process, he challenges our assumptions that deem certain intoxicants socially and legally acceptable, while others remain taboo.
Essential Substances is a timely, much-needed reconsideration of the roles intoxicants play in our lives and society. With the "war on drugs" now widely seen to be a failure, this insightful, cross-cultural look at the word of intoxicants will provide a new basis for creative thinking on a perennial problem.

Genres: History, Witchcraft, Nonfiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Antigone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rudgley provides a swift and somewhat shallow overview of intoxicants throughout the ages. His title seems a misnomer. The substances themselves are not essential; the contention here is that it is essential to recognize Man has always sought to alter his state of consciousness and used various hallucinogens to do so. This proves somewhat of a cheat to the artist, as it turns out. To paraphrase Baudelaire (from this volume): While the mind may indeed be expanded by a drug, the ability to communicate one's findings is lost. Rudgley himself amusingly concurs, pointing out that wasted people's ramblings get a bit boring after awhile.

If the theme is of interest, this is a fair book on the subject.

[Joni Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read book and it needs to be on everyones bookshelf. This is a first Arktos Media book I have purchased. I had to read it immediately and I am smarter for it. I learned so much! Too much for this review right now. Pick up a copy and read it and learn about the importance of Essential Substances Intoxicants in Society by Richard Rudgley. I must read all of his books now and I am sure to be recommending them too. I really enjoyed the Appendix 'A Psychoactive Bestiary' which is new addition for this edition.

[Kurt Chircop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at how drugs shaped up society and the effect they had on political, religious and sexual life of cultures since the beginning of man to this day.

If you are looking into reading about such topic, Essential Substances is an unbiased look at this issue that veers away from the usual commentary that intoxicants were used only for hedonistic purposes. Really easy to get into for a person that has no knowledge of anthropology.

[Kasandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read, entertaining and educational -- including little lessons on history, biology, and sociology, and including much information on ceremonial and ritual use of intoxicants. From the Conclusion: "The use and abuse of intoxicants in our communities is part of a wider problem of secular society, namely that altered states of consciousness are not perceived as culturally valuable." Rudgley, an Oxford professor, insists that humans have an innate need to experience altered states of consciousness. (Why wouldn't you want to read this?!)

[Tucker Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5