Observations placeholder
Louis Lewin - On kava
Identifier
019182
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Louis Lewin (born in Tuchel, West Prussia, 9 November 1850; died 1 December 1929 in Berlin) was a German pharmacologist. In 1886, he published the first methodical analysis of the Peyote cactus, a variant of which was named Anhalonium lewinii in his honor.
One of Lewin's most enduring tasks was to create a system of classification of psychoactive drugs and plants based on their pharmacologic action. His original categories were:
- Inebriantia (Inebriants such as alcohol or ether)
- Exitantia (Stimulants such as Khat or Amphetamine)
- Euphorica (Euphoriants and Narcotics such as Heroin)
- Hypnotica (Tranquilizers such as Kava)
- Phantastica (Hallucinogens or Entheogens such as Peyote or Ayahuasca)
A description of the experience
Louis Lewin [from Christian Ratsch – Encyclopaedia of Psychoactive Plants]
The muscle power no longer appears to be under jurisdiction and control of the will, walking becomes slower and more unsteady; the people appear as if half drunk; one feels the need to lie down.
The eye sees objects that are present but does not want to and cannot fix upon them on command, just as the ear perceives without being able or willing to give an account of that which is being heard…. Often it produces a torpid/somnolent state accompanied by disconnected dreams and according to some reports by erotic visions as well.