Das Handbuch Psychoaktive Substanzen bietet einen fundierten UEberblick und vereint das aktuelle Grundlagenwissen einer neu entstehenden Drogenwissenschaft, die psychoaktive Substanzen mehrdimensional betrachtet, Chancen und Risiken bilanziert und gegenwartige Debatten mit Fakten fundiert. Das Handbuch ist ein wichtiges Referenzdokument fur verschiedene Disziplinen und Professionen; von Medizinern, Psychologen, Suchttherapeuten, Pharmakologen und Neurowissenschaftlern zu Sozialwissenschaftlern, (Sozial-)Padagogen, Kriminologen, Juristen und Polizisten. Es ist ausserdem fur jene Personen von Interesse, die sich mit den soziokulturellen und historischen Aspekten des Ge- und Missbrauchs von psychoaktiven Substanzen beschaftigen - einschliesslich Lehrern, Journalisten und Politikern. Basierend auf einem interdisziplinaren Ansatz wird in den Kapiteln das komplexe Wirkungsgefuge zwischen Mensch und psychoaktiven Substanzen untersucht und in strukturierter und ubersichtlicher Weise zuganglich gemacht. Aktuelle Entwicklungen wie das Erscheinen neuer psychoaktiver Substanzen (NPS) sowie die kulturellen und politischen Veranderungen der letzten Jahre werden ebenfalls beleuchtet. The Handbook of Psychoactive Substances integrates the current knowledge base of the evolving field of drug science that views psychoactive substances from an interdisciplinary perspective. Opportunities and risks are balanced alongside objective facts in order to add to current debates. The Handbook is an important reference document, with relevance to many disciplines and professions; from medical doctors, psychologists, addiction therapists, pharmacologists and neuroscientists to criminologists, police officers, lawyers and attorneys. It will also be of interest to those involved in the socio-cultural and historical aspects of drug use and misuse, including teachers, journalists and politicians. In a helpful structured form the handbook offers user-friendly and trustworthy information concerning classes of psychoactive substances. Chapters explore psychoactive drugs as therapeutic tools, their benefits for medicine and research and the problems associated with their harmful use. Current developments, including the recent appearance of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) and the associated political and cultural changes in recent years are also explored in the book.

This is a fascinating compilation of medical, psychological and sociological papers on the spread of ayahuasca use...in Brazil and in several European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands), as well as the USA....highly recommended for serious students of this subject. - Ralph Metzner, Ph.D, psychologist and author of Sacred Vine of Spirits: Ayahuasca *** ...provides reliable information that has never before appeared in print, ranging from the rain forests of the Amazon to the churches in Western Europe....like it or not, ayahuasca has left the jungle and is here to stay Read this book and you will understand the importance of its arrival on the global scene. - Dr. Stanley Krippner, Ph.D., Alan Watts Professor of Psychology, Saybrook U. *** ...a detailed consideration of the legal situation of ayahuasca...as well as a multidisciplinary assessment of the health implications of its use...a must-read for anyone attempting to understand the global implications of ayahuasca today. Dr. Michael Winkelman, M.P.H., Ph.D., author of Shamanism: A Biopsychosocial Paradigm of Consciousness and Healing (Series: Performances: Intercultural Studies on Ritual, Play and Theatre - Performanzen: Interkulturelle Studien zu Ritual, Spiel und Theater - Vol. 16)