Editing Psychopharmacology (section)

===Early psychopharmacology===
[[Image:Amanita muscaria 3 vliegenzwammen op rij.jpg|thumb|left|250px|The common [[muscimol]]-bearing mushroom ''[[Amanita muscaria]]'' (fly agaric)]]
Not often mentioned or included in the field of psychopharmacology today are [[psychoactive]] substances not identified as useful in modern [[mental health]] settings or references. These substances are naturally occurring, but nonetheless psychoactive, and are compounds identified through the work of [[ethnobotanists]] and [[Ethnomycology|ethnomycologists]] (and others who study the native use of naturally occurring psychoactive drugs). However, although these substances have been used throughout history by various cultures, and have a profound effect on mentality and brain function, they have not always attained the degree of scrutinous evaluation that lab-made compounds have. Nevertheless, some, such as [[psilocybin]] and [[mescaline]], have provided a basis of study for the compounds that are used and examined in the field today. [[Hunter-gatherer]] societies tended to favor [[hallucinogen]]s, and today their use can still be observed in many surviving [[tribe|tribal]] cultures. The exact drug used depends on what the particular [[ecosystem]] a given tribe lives in can support, and are typically found growing wild. Such drugs include various [[psychoactive mushroom]]s containing psilocybin or [[muscimol]] and [[Psychoactive cactus|cacti]] containing mescaline and other chemicals, along with myriad other [[psychoactive plant|plants containing psychoactive chemicals]]. These societies generally attach spiritual significance to such drug use, and often incorporate it into their religious practices.
With the dawn of the [[Neolithic]] and the proliferation of agriculture, new psychoactives came into use as a natural by-product of farming. Among them were [[opium]], [[cannabis (drug)|cannabis]], and [[ethanol|alcohol]] derived from the fermentation of cereals and fruits. Most societies began developing [[herblores]], lists of herbs which were good for treating various physical and mental ailments. For example, [[St. John's wort]] was traditionally prescribed in parts of Europe for depression (in addition to use as a general-purpose tea), and [[Chinese medicine]] developed elaborate lists of [[herbal remedies|herbs]] and preparations. These and various other substances that have an effect on the brain are still used as remedies in many cultures.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Consuming Habits: Global and Historical Perspectives on How Cultures Define Drugs|publisher=Routledge|year=1995|isbn=978-0-203-99316-3| veditors = Goodman J, Sherratt A, Lovejoy PE |editor-link2=Andrew Sherratt |edition=First |location=London |doi=10.4324/9780203993163|lccn=94042752 }}</ref>
{{clear}}