Starting with the 19th Century, gaining speed into the 20th, one sees the merging of interest in an unlimited, visionary subjectivity (a la Romanticism) and the recreational use of perception-altering drugs. The ritual serves as a leisure-time equivalent of what is being said by an emergent psychology field: that subjectivity is a chemical, biological process, not a transcendent one.
A notable contribution from the 19th C is the European and North American para-literature on opium use and the confessional of addiction. Thomas DeQuincey establishes the genre. Charles Baudelaire adds to the correspondence between drugs and psychological states a hammy, character-actor's brogue. Writerly observations of opium dens become faddish.
Into the 20th, there is Celine whose take on hardboard realism is tantamount to hallucination (the subject of literal drug use is not explored). Aldous Huxley is perhaps the prominent idealist and optimist of drug use, holding it dear for tapping into hitherto under-experienced adventures in subjectivity, explorations aligned with mysticism. Shortly later, Timothy Leary follows his example. William Burroughs is less rosy: drug use being the commodification of subjectivity--subjectivity given an external, material form--turns subjectivity over to the laws of commodities: trade, regulation, policing, negotiable ownership.
Hashish and Opium Literature
- Confessions of an Opium-Eater by Thomas DeQuincey.
- Artificial Paradises: on hashish and wine as means of expanding individuality by Charles Baudelaire.
- Protocol I. Highlights of the First Hashish Impression [by Walter Benjamin: 18.Dec.1927]
- Protocol II. Highlights of the Second Hashish Impression [by Walter Benjamin & Ernst Bloch:15.Jan. 1928]
- Protocol III. Walter Benjamin: Protocol of the Hashish Experiment of 11 May 1928.
- Protocol IV. Walter Benjamin: 29 September 1928. Saturday. Marseilles.
- Protocol V. Walter Benjamin: Hashish Beginning of March 1930
- Protocol VI. Walter Benjamin: On the Session of 7/8 June 1930
- Protocol VII. Egon Wissing: Protocol to the Experiment of 7 March 1931.
- Protocol VIII. Fritz Fränkel: Protocol of the Experiment of 12 April 1931 (Fragment.)
- Protocol IX. Fritz Fränkel: Protocol of 18 April 1931.
- Protocol X./ Crock Notes Walter Benjamin: 1932
- Protocol XI. Fritz Fränkel: Protocol to the Mescaline Experiment of 22 May, 1934.
- Protocol XII. Walter Benjamin: Undated Notes.
Other Narcotics Literature
- The Psychedelic Library
- Dr. Albert Hoffman: LSD: Completely Personal (1996).
- Dr. Albert Hoffman: Insight Outlook.
- Dr. Albert Hoffman: Excerpt from original diary of first self-administered LSD trip.
Contemporary Resources
- NoSlang.com Drug Slang Translator "Learn the latest drug slang terms kids are using."
- Slang Drug Terms from Pride Prevention
- National Institute of Drug Abuse and Addiction, The Science of Drug Abuse and Addiction
- Acid/LSD
- Wikipedia entry on LSD.
- Alcohol
- Wikipedia entry on Alcohol.
- Club Drugs
- Wikipedia entry on Club Drugs.
- Cocaine
- Wikipedia entry on Cocaine.
- Ecstasy/MDMA
- Wikipedia entry on Ecstasy.
- Heroin
- Wikipedia entry on Heroin.
- Inhalants
- Wikipedia entry on Inhalants.
- Marijuana
- Wikipedia entry on Marijuana.
- Methamphetamine
- Wikipedia entry on Methamphetamine.
- PCP/Phencyclidine
- Wikipedia entry on PCP.
- Prescription Medications
- Steroids (Anabolic)
- Wikipedia entry on Steroids.
- Tobacco Addiction
- Wikipedia entry on Tobacco.
- Testimonial Community Board from Blue Light (may require registration).
In Film
Curious Alice - 1970s After School Special
Reefer Madness
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