In PiHKAL and TiHKAL, Ann and her husband developed a systematic way of ranking the effects of various psychoactive drugs, known as the Shulgin Rating Scale (or “quantitative potency scale”), with a vocabulary to describe a drug’s visual, auditory, physical, emotional, and mental effects. The most intense experience on the Shulgin Scale is “PLUS FOUR” or “++++”, which is:
“A rare and precious transcendental state, which has been called a “peak experience,” a “religious experience,” “divine transformation,” a “state of Samadhi” and many other names in other cultures. It is not connected to the +1, +2, and +3 of the measuring of a drug’s intensity. It is a state of bliss, a participation mystique, a connectedness with both the interior and exterior universes, which has come about after the ingestion of a psychedelic drug, but which is not necessarily repeatable with a subsequent ingestion of that same drug. If a drug (or technique or process) were ever to be discovered which would consistently produce a plus four experience in all human beings, it is conceivable that it would signal the ultimate evolution, and perhaps the end, of the human experiment.”
The couple experimented with the psychedelic and entactogenic compounds themselves. Sasha would test them first and, if all went well, he would bring them to Ann; after this, they would share them with a small group of trusted friends and fellow researchers to try and review.
Many of these substances were novel, such as the 2C-x compounds, but some were classic, naturally-occurring psychedelics like mescaline and DMT. The Shulgins noted the effects achieved from different dosages. In PiHKAL, Ann also wrote about her first psychedelic experience in her 20s:
“I saw something forming in the air, slightly above the level of my head. I thought that it was perhaps a few feet from me, then I realized I couldn’t actually locate it in space at all. It was a moving spiral opening, up there in the cool air, and I knew it was a doorway to the other side of existence, that I could step through it if I wished to be finished with this particular life I was living, and that there was nothing threatening or menacing about it; in fact, it was completely friendly. I also knew that I had no intention of stepping through it because there was still a great deal I wanted to do in my life, and I intended to live long enough to get it all done. The lovely spiral door didn’t beckon; it was just matter-of-factly there.”
Established publishers thought that PiHKAL was too controversial to publish, so the Shulgins started their own imprint, Transform Press, to make the work public. They wanted to share their experiences and knowledge with the world. Unfortunately, the book caught the attention of law enforcement (it included accounts of manufacturing illicit drugs, after all) and Sasha’s backyard lab was investigated. This led to a lot of disruption and distress, ending in heavy fines, but nothing more serious than that.
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What a great couple and what a good job they’ve done.
I was first introduced to their work some years ago and still am in awe with how great it is
and how great they are.
Thanks for writing this article and keep up with the good job.
Peace and love 😉
Phikal &Thikal; 2 obras imprescindibles en la biblioteca de cualquier farmacofilo junto con Pharmacotheon (J.Ott), entre otras
RIP
glad i got a copy of the book many years ago
Rest in peace. Deep respect for all the work.
Love the books too.
Angels and demons come together there is one path to choose, find your own happiness throu the experience of your conciousness in ahighet level. RIP. 🙏🏻
Rest in peace! It is sad to see the passing of such a key figure. Yet, it brings comfort that Shulgin’s collective work will continue to inspire. I’ve learned so much from their work about research chemicals. RIP.
Good to remember the greats!