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Psychedelics: A Visual Odyssey
A gorgeously illustrated journey through psychedelics and their global history that explores how psychedelic visions have inspired and given meaning to humans throughout time.
Interest in psychedelics has grown considerably in recent years—one might even say psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance. But these mind-altering plants have always been with us. They have a rich and controversial history, in plumbed from the depths of ancient Greek culture, infused with Christian symbols of sacrament, enriched by Buddhist philosophies, protected through Indigenous ceremonies, and, by the latter part of the twentieth century, catapulted into cultural consciousness through science, music, posters, blotter art, and fashion. In A Visual Odyssey , Erika Dyck takes readers on an epic visual trip through some of the diverse ways that our fascination with psychedelics have been imagined throughout history.
Blending academic rigor with rich imagery from around the globe, Psychedelics goes beyond the expected terrain of describing hallucinations. It reveals not only how psychedelic plants have been illustrated and understood, but also how these plants and chemical synthetics have inspired visual representations of health, fear, peace, colonial resistance, creativity, and more. A stunningly beautiful and comprehensive deep dive into the world of psychedelics, A Visual Odyssey will inspire everyone from the curious general reader to the seasoned psychonaut.
Interest in psychedelics has grown considerably in recent years—one might even say psychedelics are experiencing a renaissance. But these mind-altering plants have always been with us. They have a rich and controversial history, in plumbed from the depths of ancient Greek culture, infused with Christian symbols of sacrament, enriched by Buddhist philosophies, protected through Indigenous ceremonies, and, by the latter part of the twentieth century, catapulted into cultural consciousness through science, music, posters, blotter art, and fashion. In A Visual Odyssey , Erika Dyck takes readers on an epic visual trip through some of the diverse ways that our fascination with psychedelics have been imagined throughout history.
Blending academic rigor with rich imagery from around the globe, Psychedelics goes beyond the expected terrain of describing hallucinations. It reveals not only how psychedelic plants have been illustrated and understood, but also how these plants and chemical synthetics have inspired visual representations of health, fear, peace, colonial resistance, creativity, and more. A stunningly beautiful and comprehensive deep dive into the world of psychedelics, A Visual Odyssey will inspire everyone from the curious general reader to the seasoned psychonaut.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 6, 2025
una quantità sorprendente di materiale iconografico mai visto e riflessioni non banali a margine
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October 23, 20244 stars
A look at psychedelics and their role in counterculture, history, medicine and art.
Doesn’t go in depth but has many lovely photographs.
A look at psychedelics and their role in counterculture, history, medicine and art.
Doesn’t go in depth but has many lovely photographs.
June 16, 2025
I purchased this at Collected Works Bookstore in Santa Fe. This book features beautiful illustrations, photos, and artwork related to psychedelics, along with written sections on indigenous use, history, and the cultural impacts of psychedelics. The author offers a modern take by incorporating themes of colonialism and intersectionality to better contextualize the history of psychedelic use. There are also sections on the influence of psychedelics on rock music, the countercultural movement, drug criminalization, and the “Just Say No” campaign. I absolutely loved this beautiful book and especially enjoyed the psychedelic-inspired artwork by indigenous artists. Highly recommended.
July 12, 2024
WOW! A complete history of psychedelics and how they have had a burst of interest in recent years.
I won a copy on Goodreads.
I won a copy on Goodreads.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews