After dedicating a series of articles to Albert Hofmann—discoverer of LSD—and three to Antonio Escohotado—author of several books on psychoactive substances, including the monumental and encyclopedic General History of Drugs—we will now look at the pioneers of "drug-philia." We begin with Ernst von Bibra, an author who, by the mid-19th century, was already writing about his experiences with cannabis and other substances known at the time. A pinch of pharmacophilic culture, coming right up!

The San Pedro cactus is undoubtedly one of the oldest magical plants in South America, with a history of use spanning over 3,300 years. Known by the botanical name Trichocereus pachanoi, it is a fast-growing, blue-green columnar cactus that can reach heights of up to 20 feet (6 meters), growing at a rate of up to 16 inches (40 cm) per year. Its maximum height is 40 feet (12 meters).