PIHKAL: A Chemical Love Story

A book written by one of the foremost legends of psychedelics and the genre itself. A must have if you're at all interested in exploring more on the topic. TIKHAL is it's sister book, same author, just FYI.

No. A chemical opus, perhaps. A masterpiece from a man who was adept with a conical flask as Michaelangelo was with a paintbrush, or Da Vinci with charcoal. Many may disagree but anyone who can who can discover, document and wax poetic about the subtle nuances of the effects of moving around an isomer or two...well, they must be unique to say the least. Sasha and his wife Ann were just that - a very special couple whose love exudes from their interactions, joined together in their mutual appreciation for psychedelics. Part memoir, part lab journal, Pihkal is an interesting read even for someone such as myself with only a minor interest in the science behind the experiences. We've been taught that psychedelics are psychosis-inducing compounds, highly addictive, terribly dangerous and ultimately will lead to the breakdown of society. The Shulgins, after DECADES of psychedelic use, are highly intelligent and very loving people with not a hint of psychological problems. In fact, after very sadly passing away at the ripe old age of 88, Sasha surpassed the average life expectancy for a western man by a good couple of years. Hardly the story of the drug-crazed addict dying alone in a back alley with a needle sticking out of their arm. Always honest (even with the "bad" experiences), Alexander Shulgin was a pioneer of psychoactive chemistry, a man who stuck to his convictions and followed a passion for discovering new socio-chemical interactions despite strong pressure from various government agencies. This is not the tale of a clandestine chemist passing dirty drugs to naive teens. This is not breaking bad. This book is an eye-opener into one of the unsung heroes of the scientific world, and his stories of benignly wandering around art museums while experimenting with new Phenethylamines is a far cry from the wild-eyed psychosis that certain people would have us believe psychedelics induce.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in psychopharmacology and or psychoactive substances. The first 450 some pages is a beautiful story about the lives of the author and as his wife, how they became intertwined, and their spiritual evolution’s alongside their detailed psychedelic experiences over the years. There is romance, conflict, some drama, adventure, and wisdom throughout the story. The next 400 pages or so read like a medicinal chemist’s laboratory experiments and notes. You don’t need an in depth knowledge of chemistry to read and understand the book, but I’m sure people with a background in chemistry would absolutely love the second half. This book is a hidden treasure and no library of psychedelic literature is complete without it.

There is a world to be explored in the unfolding of a single molecule." — And explore we do. PiHKAL isn't just a book — it's a pharmaco-epic, a love letter to chemistry, consciousness, and human curiosity. Part Two, the synthesis compendium, is a meticulous masterwork. Take 2C-B (4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine): “The usual work-up, a careful acid-base extraction, yielded white crystals with a potency and clarity that seemed almost architectural.” Shulgin doesn’t just describe chemical reactions — he narrates them like alchemical poetry. 2C-B is a prime example of why this book is important: it's gentle, profound, and introspective — a molecule with therapeutic potential and a surprisingly warm personality. Its inclusion highlights the real value of this book — not just knowledge, but wisdom. To read PiHKAL is to walk with Alexander and Ann along the edge of the known — chemistry as communion. Essential.

This book is a whirlwind of chemicals, love and magical compounds. This is the story of Alexander (Sasha) Shulgin who is widely considered the godfather and inventor of most modern chemical compounds (MDMA, 2CB, etc etc). The book is quarter biography, quarter love story for the drugs and his wife (co written with his second wife Ann) and half recipes for the compounds. If you are into the psychedelics world, this is an absolute must read. Fun fact: the title PIKHAL comes from P (compounds) I Have Known And Loved. I could have never come up with a more appropriate title.

The book is the best - and I have read extensively on the subject. The only downside is that it is real heavy - being over 900 pages - so I cut it up into 4 pieces! GREAT !!! I wish somebody would reprint it into 4 books - the first 3 being their stories, and the last 450 pages the receipe for his 179 chemical formulas. Now THAT would be worth collecting

Never tried one, this is food for thought into doing so. Shura’s and Alice’s accounts are complimentary and the love story is certainly worth a read. I can’t judge the second part of the book, but I highly recommend the first part.

If you aren’t a chemist, the first two parts are still great. If you are, I’m sure you could enjoy the third part.

This is a absolute necessity for anyone who has any interest in psychedelics.

Excelente

Good read

I am member of Erowid.org. I thought this book very infomative and educational. It gives great insight to DR.Shulgin & his wifes life work. A must read for any aspiring chemist. This book cuts away all the propaganda surrounding many of these recreational compounds and chemicals. The facts and nothing else. Educate yourself, knowledge is always your friend. "Sasha" You are Great Chemistry !

This is an iconic book, the original of the two, and a must for any person interested in this topic . Special to have this as a physical copy, worth it over a PDF. Came in fairly decant condition packaging shipping quality for a paperback of this size that's so easily crushed when shipped. Buy this book if you like sulgins works. Loaded with information as is also a collectable iconic piece of art