The Bufo toad and its chemical bufotenine have been surrounded by myth and misinformation for centuries. Used in ancient magic and medicine, the toad was later seen as both a cure and a poison. In the 1960s, it became a countercultural icon when people reportedly licked or smoked its secretions to get high. Bufotenine has been scientifically debated since 1893. This paper reviews the extensive literature to clarify the facts and separate them from popular and scientific confusion, providing a comprehensive bibliography for further research.
In the summer of 1988, Acid House music concerts emerged in British cities, triggering a media frenzy of misinformation about a supposed drug craze. The music was banned from pop charts, radio, television, and retail outlets. While some psychoactive substances were bought, sold, and consumed at these events, drug use does not appear to have been extensive. The drumming aspect of Acid House music seems instrumental in producing altered states of consciousness at a physiological level. The social setting of events further enhances these responses. Acceptance by subcultural groups may depend on media exposure and societal reactions, especially if authoritarian suppression amplifies the music's political or ideological aspects.