Mike Jay

Mike Jay, expert on mescaline, explores its history, from South American civilizations to Huxley and Thompson. Tripping balls and human consciousness. Mexico's drug influence, lies about trousers. P.K. Sartre's imaginary crabs. Alkaloids in cacti and psychoactive plants in South America. Indigenous vs. European experiences. Variations and interpretations of mescaline. Folklore and entities in psychedelic experiences.

Mike Jay, author of Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic, discusses the indigenous use of mescaline and its adoption in Western society. He explores the history, effects, and dosages of mescaline, contrasting it with LSD. Additionally, the chapter mentions his future projects, including a book on the history of lithium.

In a captivating discussion, Mike Jay, a British author and cultural historian, delves into the transformative history of nitrous oxide in psychedelic science. He reveals how 19th-century figures like Humphry Davy paved the way for modern psychedelic thought. The conversation navigates through indigenous traditions and colonial perceptions of psychedelics, highlighting the clash between grassroots healing and institutional control. Mike also examines the cultural revolution sparked by psychedelics, advocating for a balance between clinical and community-centered approaches to mental health.