Ann Shulgin, Forerunner of Today’s Psychedelic Re-Emergence, Dies at 91

David E. Presti, Mariavittoria Mangini and Bob Jesse

Ann Shulgin, one of the foremost thinkers and authors to have guided the current resurgence of interest in psychedelics, died at home July 9, in the company of people who loved her, at the age of 91.

Ann was the widow and co-conspirator of the legendary chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin and was the matriarch of a decades-old community of therapists, scientists, scholars, and explorers of the realms opened by psychedelic substances. It was Ann who best understood people and the complexities of the psyche, whereas Sasha was a genius in chemistry and psychopharmacology. When they met in 1978, Sasha had already created 2C-B, as well as many other psychedelic molecules. He had also rediscovered MDMA and had described its chemistry and psychoactive properties. He and Ann took note of the unique therapeutic potential of MDMA, thus beginning its launch into today’s prominence... continue reading

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