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Drugged The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs
Richard J. Miller
Oxford University Press, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-19-023595-6 |
Don't let the title fool you, this book is not a self-righteous tirade on modern society's dependence on legal and illegal drugs, nor is it an aimless and superficial meandering through the history of drug use. Rather, you will find here an erudite and concise account of how diverse psychotropic chemicals came into use and how they are thought to alter brain function. Divided into nine chapters, the author runs through the most salient drug categories (think things like stimulants or hallucinogens) and provides us with an informative historical narrative on how these became entrenched in our everyday lives. Just enough molecular biology and pharmacology is provided to make the book substantive while keeping it palatable to the uninitiated. With the exception of the last chapter, which focuses on neuroinflammation and feels completely out of place in this book (very little pharmacology is discussed), you will find this book well worth your time. If you are curious about how certain chemicals can affect our behavior then you will find this account most illuminating.
