A documentary profile of the scientists responsible for the development of so-called 'designer drugs', including Ecstasy, in recent times. The film explores the motivations, beliefs, and ideas of the scientists, who include amongst their number the American pharmacologist Dr. Alexander 'Sasha' Shulgin, single-handedly responsible for the creation of over 200 psychoactive compounds.

Contains over 70 experiments, complete with notes and ingredients with the focus on Tryptamines. The first half concentrates on Shulgin's spiritual journey, ideas and philosophy. Foreword by Daniel M Perrine and preface by Nicholas Saunders. Edited by Dan Joy.

A three-volume set of documentaries examining different aspects of the drug trade. 'Ecstasy Bandits' (2010), profiles the scientists responsible for the development of so-called 'designer drugs', including Ecstasy, in recent times. 'Cocaine Bandits' (2008), examines the way drug barons in the border region between the US and Mexico are increasingly using paramiltary forces to achieve their aims. Finally, 'Weed Bandits' (2003), examines both sides' views in the campaign to allow the planting of industrial hemp in the United States. In the pro camp, celebrity activists including Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Ralph Nader put forward the argument that American farmers, already finding it hard to survive in today's economic climate, are being criminalised for going into competition with their rival synthetic manufacturers.

The Nature of Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Social Impact, Volume 1, presents lectures from Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin's popular course on what drugs are, how they work, how they are processed by the body, and how they affect our society. Transcribed from the original lectures recorded at San Francisco State University in 1987, The Nature of Drugs series highlights Shulgin's engaging lecture style peppered with illuminating anecdotes and amusing asides. Ostensibly taught as an introductory course on drugs and biochemistry, these books serve as both a historical record of Shulgin's teaching style and the culmination of his philosophy on drugs, psychopharmacology, states of consciousness, and societal and individual freedoms pertaining to their use, both medicinal and exploratory. The Nature of Drugs, Volume 1 features course lectures 1 through 8 and offers Shulgin's view on the origin of drugs, the history of U.S. drug law enforcement, human anatomy, the nervous system, the range of drug administrations, varieties of drug actions, memory and states of consciousness, and research methods. It lays the groundwork for Shulgin's philosophy on psychopharmacology and society. The Nature of Drugs series presents the story of humanity's relationship with psychoactive substances from the perspective of a master psychopharmacologist and beloved luminary in the study of chemistry, pharmacology and consciousness.Audiobook note: The Nature of Drugs, Volume 1 audiobook contains portions of the original 1987 recordings of Shulgin himself conducting his course and interacting with his students. Those original clips are interlaced with newly recorded narration that fills in portions with more optimal audio quality.