Comprehensive Guide to Hallucinogenic Plants - Book review

A review of Noureddine Chaachouay, Abdelhamid Azeroual, and Lahcen Zidane. 2025. Comprehensive Guide to Hallucilogenic Plants. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group. Boca Raton, Florida, USA and Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK. pp 455. GBP £180.00 (Hardback), ISBN 9781032591803 (hardback), ISBN 9781032607320 (paperback), ISBN 9781003460336 (ebook). The book Comprehensive Guide to Hallucinogenic Plants, edited by Noureddine Chaachouay, Abdelhamid Azeroual, and Lahcen Zidane, offers an in-depth exploration of hallucinogenic plants. This book explores more than 50 species of hallucinogenic plants, focusing on their historical, cultural, and medicinal significance. It examines their traditional uses in ancient societies, their roles in indigenous healing practices, and the psychoactive compounds they contain. Beyond ethnobotanical perspectives, the book delves into the ritualistic and medicinal applications of these plants, covering their taxonomy, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic benefits. It also addresses conservation challenges and sustainable utilization. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific research, this work provides a comprehensive analysis of the pharmacological and ethnobotanical significance of hallucinogenic plants. The book is structured into multiple comprehensive chapters, each exploring a distinct aspect of hallucinogenic plants.