Chapters 12-17 Summary and Analysis

In chapter twelve, Shura describes his experiences with MDMA, now more commonly known by the street name ecstasy. Shura's interest in MDMA grows out of a discussion with one of his colleagues' graduate students. After taking the drug himself, Shura concludes that it is not psychedelic itself, but that it has several of the good qualities of a psychedelic drug. Shura witnesses the drug help several people with psychological issues, which leads him to believe that it is similar to snake-oil. in that it can be all things to all people. Shura believes that MDMA can be an effective therapeutic medicine.

In chapter thirteen, Shura describes taking marijuana after a combination of MDOH and MDA in an attempt to relieve stress. This backfires on Shura badly as the combination seems to make time slow down to one twentieth of...