Biology 440
Psychoactive Drug Plants
Taxonomy, ecology, biochemistry, distribution, cultural history, and
contemporary use of mind-altering drug plants; examples from primitive,
traditional, and modern societies.
General Information
- Instructor: Dr. Mark Merlin (Dean 108, 956-6038)
- Credits: 3
- Offered: Spring Semester
- Time: T, Th 1:30 - 2:24 PM
- Lecture: Dean 107
- Texts:
- A primer of drug action by R. Julien. W. H. Freeman and Co.
- Kava: the Pacific drug by V. Lebot, M. Merlin and L.
Lindstron. Yale University Press.
- Plants of the gods by R. E. Schultes and A. Hofmann. Inner
Traditions International.
- Pre: junior standing, one semester
of biological science, and either ANTH 200 or GEOG 151; or consent.
- Note: was SCI 440.
Topics
This course provides students with a formal opportunity to study various
aspects of a widespread and important type of ethnobotanical
relationship: the deliberate introduction of mind-alterning plant
substances into human bodies to affect the functioning of the nervous
system. A systematic investigation of the natural and cultural origins
of the world's better known psychoactive drug plants serves as a
foundation for an examination of past and present patterns of use and
abuse in primitive and advanced societies around the world. The course
utilizes published material from a number of disciplines, including
botany, ecology, biochemistry, anthropology, and history.
Based on interdisciplinary research and discussion, students will
become familiar with important scientific discoveries and frontiers
relevant to the study of mind-alterning drug plant use. Students are
introduced, through the literature, to the wide variety of psychoactive
drug plants and how they have been used by primitive and modern peoples.
They learn what the basic botanical characteristics of these plants are
and how they affect the human mind and body. A broad survey of the
taxonomy, chemistry, ecology, geographic range, and cultural patterns of
use of the fly agaric mushroom, ergot fungi, peyote, hallucinogenic
morning glories, belladonna, henbane, the Daturas, marijuana, the opium
poppy, the coca plant, the coffee and tea palnts, tobacco, and other
mind-alterning plants are included.
Disclaimer: This information has been obtained from the syllabus for the Spring 1996
class offering and is only partial information about the course. It is not an authorized
syllabus and does not offer any guarantee that the course was taught according to this
outline then or will be taught this way in the future. It is only intended for general
planning.