Provides a framework for understanding the enormous amount of information available on psychoactive substances. Stafford relays the history, botany, chemistry, physical and mental effects, forms, sources, and preparations of LSD--the most potent and representative of class of drugs called psychedelics. Stafford claims that psychedelics offer surprising benefits to society and he explores the record of promising studies that were truncated in the 1960s, along with a commentary of developments since that time.