PIHKAL: A Chemical Love Story Paperback – October 1, 1990

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.

good condition

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.

Really, if you know, you know. This is a must have book on anyone’s shelf who is looking to understand and explore the inner reaches of their own psyche. You won’t be disappointed.

Quintessential read on the subject. Dont skip TiHKAL either.

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.

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.

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