Native Intoxicants of North America by Sean Rafferty
Journal of the Early Republic August 28, 2022 Cameron B. Strang
A book review describes Sean Rafferty's overview of plants, fungi, and animals used by Indigenous people in North America to achieve altered states of consciousness. Rafferty argues that the desire for intoxication is a universal human trait, but social behaviors, especially rituals, determine which drugs are used and how. Tobacco was the most widely used intoxicant because its mild effects encouraged social bonding, while more potent hallucinogens were limited to ritual specialists. The book draws on archaeological and documentary evidence, concluding that intoxication was an ancient and widespread practice and that social value drove use. The review notes a lack of Indigenous voices and clunky use of long block quotes.