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Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs
"Morphine," writes Richard J. Miller, "is the most significant chemical substance mankind has ever encountered." So ancient that remains of poppies have been found in Neolithic tombs, it is the most effective drug ever discovered for treating pain. "Whatever advances are made in medicine,"
Miller adds, "nothing could really be more important than that." And yet, when it comes to mind-altering substances, morphine is only a cc or two in a vast river that flows through human civilization, ranging LSD to a morning cup of tea.
In DRUGGED, Miller takes readers on an eye-opening tour of psychotropic drugs, describing the various kinds, how they were discovered and developed, and how they have played multiple roles in virtually every culture. The vast scope of chemicals that cross the blood-brain barrier boggle the very
brain they cannabis and cocaine, antipsychotics and antidepressants, alcohol, amphetamines, and Ecstasy-and much more. Literate and wide-ranging, Miller weaves together science and history, telling the story of the undercover theft of 20,000 tea plants from China by a British spy, for
example, the European discovery of coffee and chocolate, and how James Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous man of letters, first isolated the alkaloid we now know as caffeine. Miller explains what scientists know-and don't-about the impact of each drug on the brain, down to the details of
neurotransmitters and their receptors. He clarifies the differences between morphine and heroin, mescaline and LSD, and other similar substances. Drugged brims with surprises, revealing the fact that antidepressant drugs evolved from the rocket fuel that shot V2 rockets into London during World War
II, highlighting the role of hallucinogens in the history of religion, and asking whether Prozac can help depressed cats.
Entertaining and authoritative, Drugged is a truly fascinating book.
Miller adds, "nothing could really be more important than that." And yet, when it comes to mind-altering substances, morphine is only a cc or two in a vast river that flows through human civilization, ranging LSD to a morning cup of tea.
In DRUGGED, Miller takes readers on an eye-opening tour of psychotropic drugs, describing the various kinds, how they were discovered and developed, and how they have played multiple roles in virtually every culture. The vast scope of chemicals that cross the blood-brain barrier boggle the very
brain they cannabis and cocaine, antipsychotics and antidepressants, alcohol, amphetamines, and Ecstasy-and much more. Literate and wide-ranging, Miller weaves together science and history, telling the story of the undercover theft of 20,000 tea plants from China by a British spy, for
example, the European discovery of coffee and chocolate, and how James Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous man of letters, first isolated the alkaloid we now know as caffeine. Miller explains what scientists know-and don't-about the impact of each drug on the brain, down to the details of
neurotransmitters and their receptors. He clarifies the differences between morphine and heroin, mescaline and LSD, and other similar substances. Drugged brims with surprises, revealing the fact that antidepressant drugs evolved from the rocket fuel that shot V2 rockets into London during World War
II, highlighting the role of hallucinogens in the history of religion, and asking whether Prozac can help depressed cats.
Entertaining and authoritative, Drugged is a truly fascinating book.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
37 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Richard J. Miller
13 books6 followersRichard J. Miller is the Alfred Newton Richards Professor of Pharmacology
Professor in Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry at Northwestern University.
Dr. Miller’s research has concerned the properties of neurotransmitters and their receptors in nerve cell function. This has included work on dopamine receptors, opiate receptors and cytokine receptors. Dr. Miller has also worked extensively on understanding the structure and function of calcium channels. The influx of calcium into neurons through these channels is important for many reasons, including the release of neurotransmitters. His laboratory has analyzed the properties of these molecules by examining their electrophysiological properties and has generated calcium channel knockout mice. Other projects in his lab aim to understand the molecular basis of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), HIV-1-related dementia and other neuropathological conditions.
Dr. Miller obtained his Ph.D. at Cambridge University. Prior to joining Northwestern, he was Assistant Professor and Professor at the University of Chicago.
Professor in Molecular Pharmacology and Biological Chemistry at Northwestern University.
Dr. Miller’s research has concerned the properties of neurotransmitters and their receptors in nerve cell function. This has included work on dopamine receptors, opiate receptors and cytokine receptors. Dr. Miller has also worked extensively on understanding the structure and function of calcium channels. The influx of calcium into neurons through these channels is important for many reasons, including the release of neurotransmitters. His laboratory has analyzed the properties of these molecules by examining their electrophysiological properties and has generated calcium channel knockout mice. Other projects in his lab aim to understand the molecular basis of neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), HIV-1-related dementia and other neuropathological conditions.
Dr. Miller obtained his Ph.D. at Cambridge University. Prior to joining Northwestern, he was Assistant Professor and Professor at the University of Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 7, 2016
Man, I love this guy. He gives explicit details about the subjective experience of different drugs, or how to get different drugs, adding a sly little “...for the record,” and admits he totally gets “the attraction of a sunny day trekking through woods and pastures collecting psilocybin mushrooms,” though he still thinks you should be responsible. And like, buy your shrooms from a drug dealer or whatever.
And he does all this without losing the scholarly tone of the book.
Fantastic.
This is the kind of “history and culture” book that makes your spidey senses tingle. The way he marries ethnology, archaeology, psychology, sociology, botany, pharmacology (he really goes hard on the organic chem, but I did my best to keep up), theology, and just about every other -ology you can imagine… it’s seamless and riveting. I had to keep a notebook next to me to jot down things I wanted to remember, there were so many.
You don’t have to be a psychonaut to be into this. You don’t even have to have any prior interest in drugs. It’s just a great, tight read in every way.
The only real complaint I have is curious occasional spelling mistakes regarding names. Nichols/Nicholls, Hofmann/Hoffman, that sort of thing. It wasn’t frequent, but it was enough I noticed it.
Surprisingly, it’s not the most pop-y of pop science books. Actually it’s quite un-pop-y. Between academic and bubblegumy science for the masses, it errs on the academic side, though it’s obviously not intended to be a work of research but of information or reference.
If you aren’t in the mood for something you actually need to focus on, put this one aside for now. If you’re ready for a tingly but time- and brainpower- heavy read, this is so worth it.
Mmph. Still reeling.
And he does all this without losing the scholarly tone of the book.
Fantastic.
This is the kind of “history and culture” book that makes your spidey senses tingle. The way he marries ethnology, archaeology, psychology, sociology, botany, pharmacology (he really goes hard on the organic chem, but I did my best to keep up), theology, and just about every other -ology you can imagine… it’s seamless and riveting. I had to keep a notebook next to me to jot down things I wanted to remember, there were so many.
You don’t have to be a psychonaut to be into this. You don’t even have to have any prior interest in drugs. It’s just a great, tight read in every way.
The only real complaint I have is curious occasional spelling mistakes regarding names. Nichols/Nicholls, Hofmann/Hoffman, that sort of thing. It wasn’t frequent, but it was enough I noticed it.
Surprisingly, it’s not the most pop-y of pop science books. Actually it’s quite un-pop-y. Between academic and bubblegumy science for the masses, it errs on the academic side, though it’s obviously not intended to be a work of research but of information or reference.
If you aren’t in the mood for something you actually need to focus on, put this one aside for now. If you’re ready for a tingly but time- and brainpower- heavy read, this is so worth it.
Mmph. Still reeling.
November 12, 2015
In this book, various illness and the drugs used to treat them are examined through scopes of the very large (personal relationships and societal attitudes) and the very small (deliciously awesome biochemistry). IMO, the section on schizophrenia was the best part of the book.
October 26, 2016
Picked this book for both personal and professional reasons. Chapters are quite extended, but full of surprises. Great addition to my science shelf
July 3, 2014
We are living in an awesome time of scientific discovery. And the researchers and journalists that are popularizing the findings of science are also achieving something of a golden moment. I think it's safe to say, popular science writing has never been better. Particularly in the domain of neuroscience and related fields.
Drugged is as good of an example of contemporary science writing as I can cite. Before I listened to it (it's available on audable.com) I would have thought no one could possibly make the field of psychopharmacology get up and dance. But that is exactly what the author; Richard J. Miller did, and how!
As I mentioned, I listened to this book, and frankly, I'm quite certain I would not have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the listen (certainly not always the case, but this time I have to say so). The reader gave a fantastic performance. He has this pompous as hell posh British accent that lends itself perfectly to the task of bringing to life, this rich text, part history, and part chemistry lesson, with the intermittent recitation of some Victorian era letters of correspondence. Think Mr. French meets Gore Vidal......perfect!
The book begins with hallucinogens (aka entheogens) starting with the Soma of mythological lore and winding up with LSD and the1960's new age, hippy culture that accompanied its emergence into popular culture, replete with all the cool chemistry clearly explained. What a treat. The book proceeds to systematically cover each of the broad category of psychotropic drugs in a similar (history/chemistry) fashion.
It's certainly not for everyone. But for me, this book makes learning this already fascinating subject an even bigger blast by bringing it to three dimensional living, breathing life. I could go on and on. But I'll just finish by slamming down my 5 star stamp of gratitude and approval. Cha Cunk!
Drugged is as good of an example of contemporary science writing as I can cite. Before I listened to it (it's available on audable.com) I would have thought no one could possibly make the field of psychopharmacology get up and dance. But that is exactly what the author; Richard J. Miller did, and how!
As I mentioned, I listened to this book, and frankly, I'm quite certain I would not have enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed the listen (certainly not always the case, but this time I have to say so). The reader gave a fantastic performance. He has this pompous as hell posh British accent that lends itself perfectly to the task of bringing to life, this rich text, part history, and part chemistry lesson, with the intermittent recitation of some Victorian era letters of correspondence. Think Mr. French meets Gore Vidal......perfect!
The book begins with hallucinogens (aka entheogens) starting with the Soma of mythological lore and winding up with LSD and the1960's new age, hippy culture that accompanied its emergence into popular culture, replete with all the cool chemistry clearly explained. What a treat. The book proceeds to systematically cover each of the broad category of psychotropic drugs in a similar (history/chemistry) fashion.
It's certainly not for everyone. But for me, this book makes learning this already fascinating subject an even bigger blast by bringing it to three dimensional living, breathing life. I could go on and on. But I'll just finish by slamming down my 5 star stamp of gratitude and approval. Cha Cunk!
February 1, 2017
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S Thompson
Drugs. They're a difficult hobby to have, or at least talk about; for you'll no doubt have a litany of people who will look down on you for being a degenerate running away from one's problems in a drug of choice. Though drugs do have a bad rap (for good reason) they have no doubt shaped our world and our culture, even though many like to think all they do is destroy.
Of course, drugs being an umbrella term for any psychoactive property, not just the stuff you get from the sketchy guy at the street corner under a street lamp at 4AM on a Saturday; tea, antidepressants, cocaine and chocolate all conspire to change the way you perceive your state of mind.
This book details the fascinating history of the cultivation of plants which would become cornerstones of many psychotropic properties we use today. To ancient fertility cults that shaped religion and myth. Coupled with the artistic madness that was brought about under the influence and the rise of the modern day pharmaceutical companies and the bike rides that brought them into the world's eye. Each chapter bookended with hard neurochemistry, but that should not deter one if you aren't familiar with the concepts.
This book does not posit any of the "x drug will cure..." but rather how many drugs known today were used for treatment, and how many prescription drugs came to be; as well as a hypothetical reasoning how we can utilise certain properties of known drugs in order to try and find cures for diseases (mostly neurological, Alzheimer's and alike).
This is a tremendous book that I suggest anyone with a passing interest in informed, rigorous, and fascinating history of our world and the drugs that shaped us. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Drugs. They're a difficult hobby to have, or at least talk about; for you'll no doubt have a litany of people who will look down on you for being a degenerate running away from one's problems in a drug of choice. Though drugs do have a bad rap (for good reason) they have no doubt shaped our world and our culture, even though many like to think all they do is destroy.
Of course, drugs being an umbrella term for any psychoactive property, not just the stuff you get from the sketchy guy at the street corner under a street lamp at 4AM on a Saturday; tea, antidepressants, cocaine and chocolate all conspire to change the way you perceive your state of mind.
This book details the fascinating history of the cultivation of plants which would become cornerstones of many psychotropic properties we use today. To ancient fertility cults that shaped religion and myth. Coupled with the artistic madness that was brought about under the influence and the rise of the modern day pharmaceutical companies and the bike rides that brought them into the world's eye. Each chapter bookended with hard neurochemistry, but that should not deter one if you aren't familiar with the concepts.
This book does not posit any of the "x drug will cure..." but rather how many drugs known today were used for treatment, and how many prescription drugs came to be; as well as a hypothetical reasoning how we can utilise certain properties of known drugs in order to try and find cures for diseases (mostly neurological, Alzheimer's and alike).
This is a tremendous book that I suggest anyone with a passing interest in informed, rigorous, and fascinating history of our world and the drugs that shaped us. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
January 4, 2014
Just finished Richard J. Miller's "Drugged" which is a tour de force of the history, culture, and science of psychotropic drugs (i.e. drugs which influence the brain). Miller's tour can become a bit technical in places, but the non-technical reader should bear through these points for the bulk of the book is filled with interesting knowledge. For the technically inclined, the book provides an excellent chemical and biological overview. "Drugged" explores all classes if psychotropics with, for the most part, each chapter covering each class. Miller usually starts out with historical context then moves into the technicals and weaves cultural implications throughout. The last chapter covers the relationship between the brain and immune systems wrapped in an exploration of the life and death of composer Robert Schumann. Coffee, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and chocolate are reviewed in addition to the usuals of LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines, barbiturates, and morphine. All in all, it made for an excellent holiday read.
December 21, 2016
This book is highly dense for people that seem' familiar with the history, chemical/biological context, and science (in general), but in all honestly, it is a fantastic book that most educated adult should read.
The mass majority of the book is filled with technical terms, but that is to be expected because of the nature of the subject, but in my opinion, it is worth it.
I have much more to learn, but it is a fantastic written book in the science of substance usage on the brain and a good back ground for people in the study of the brain and in the cognitive sciences!
The mass majority of the book is filled with technical terms, but that is to be expected because of the nature of the subject, but in my opinion, it is worth it.
I have much more to learn, but it is a fantastic written book in the science of substance usage on the brain and a good back ground for people in the study of the brain and in the cognitive sciences!
July 11, 2016
I enjoyed learning about the history and development of drugs. The information and speculation about the historical use of some of these drugs was fascinating. I could have done without the complex descriptions of molecules and their interactions on the brain. While interesting to some, I think most of this information would go right over the head of the average person - it certainly did mine. Overall though, great information and worth the read.
May 22, 2015
It is really a nice book with the history, science and culture of psychotropic drugs. However, it is not for general audience. It requires some background in medicinal chemistry, molecular biology and/or neuroscience albeit not extensive.
March 14, 2014
Probably too technical for most readers (I studied psychopharmacology in my undergrad days and still had to skip over parts) but fascinating stuff nonetheless.
August 5, 2015
A bit "too much" on the hard facts, and not enough on the culture/history.
Still an interesting read though.
Still an interesting read though.
April 29, 2024
Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs by Richard J. Miller (Oxford University Press 2015) (615.788) (3941).
Author Richard J. Miller is a pharmacology and chemistry professor at Northwestern University. In this book he explores (in layman’s terms but in thorough detail) the science and culture of psychoactive drugs.
The most interesting parts of this fascinating book are the author’s deep dive into the culture and chemistry of psychedelics and his account of the development and history of psychiatric medications in the twentieth century.
My favorite new bit of trivial knowledge from this volume concerns the wildly-hallucinogenic mushroom Amanita muscaria. I already knew that the mushroom’s potency is often conserved (recycled) by one user drinking user's urine. “The drinking of drug-containing urine could continue for up to five cycles passing from one individual to another before the urine lost its capacity for intoxication.” (p.10).
Another fascinating trivial tidbit introduced a new term to this reader: “endogenous psychotogens.” “Endogenous substances” are those that originate from within the body or system such as an organism, tissue, or cell. “Psychotogens” are substances that cause psychotic reactions, or chemicals or drugs that cause the psychotic state. Endogenous psychotogens are thus hallucinogenic substances that originate in and are naturally produced within the human body (e.g. DMT).
I purchased a new PB copy of this book from Amazon on 10/29/2023 for $2.07.
My rating: 7.25/10, finished 4/29/24 (3941).
PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
October 16, 2021
I was not expecting this one to have so much high level pharmacology information in it, but was pleasantly surprised. Well researched and with also a lot of fun facts. My favorite - fluoxetine/Prozac is effective on bivalve molluscs, and in the case of oysters, spurs them to grow larger pearls in a shorter amount of time. I guess that's why they say "happy as a clam"! Also, the narrator of the audiobook deserves a medal for correctly pronouncing things like "deschloroclozapine dihydrochloride" multiple times.
July 27, 2022
Good book, poor audiobook.
well researched, with a pacing more interesting than a textbook.
sadly this is mostly just a textbook without the pictures. (is there a PDF? I haven't looked). a book like this is interesting and invaluable...but as an audiobook it would only serve to assist the reading of the physical book.
I would use a book like this to just read quick chapters here or there...it was very hard to just get lost in the narrative! LOL. This book took me a long time to finish!
I appreciated the neutral stance towards recreational drugs!
well researched, with a pacing more interesting than a textbook.
sadly this is mostly just a textbook without the pictures. (is there a PDF? I haven't looked). a book like this is interesting and invaluable...but as an audiobook it would only serve to assist the reading of the physical book.
I would use a book like this to just read quick chapters here or there...it was very hard to just get lost in the narrative! LOL. This book took me a long time to finish!
I appreciated the neutral stance towards recreational drugs!
April 22, 2019
3 cool chapters on entheogens and the cultural history behind them. Interesting chapter on the widespread use of hallucinogens across every major religion, and then 10+ chapters breaking down the chemical structure of opium and which neurotransmitters it affects. Jumps all over the place, which was disheartening to see after such a strong start. Poorly put together, there's multiple cases of 5+ pages of random notes written to a persons friend or lover from previous centuries.
July 1, 2017
Tells the origins, history of use, and chemical breakdowns of substances such as mushrooms, lsd, opium, morphine, codeine, and heroin
Do you know about Bicycle Day?
Do you know how opium was used to discover morphine and codeine? Then subsequently, used to discover heroin?
If not, get in on this juicy info filled book, curious individual
Do you know about Bicycle Day?
Do you know how opium was used to discover morphine and codeine? Then subsequently, used to discover heroin?
If not, get in on this juicy info filled book, curious individual
October 9, 2025
Not often do I finish a book and walk away thinking I should experiment with drugs more but alas...
Neuropsychopharmacology is topic I've been interested in since I was very young and am pleasantly surprised to have landed in the field. I hope to continue my professional growth for many decades to come, and I consider Drugged to be an entertaining educational piece.
Neuropsychopharmacology is topic I've been interested in since I was very young and am pleasantly surprised to have landed in the field. I hope to continue my professional growth for many decades to come, and I consider Drugged to be an entertaining educational piece.
June 23, 2017
Cuenta la historia del descubrimiento de ciertas sustancias químicas a partir de plantas, hongos, etc. Y también cómo comenzaron las farmacéuticas y cómo se descubrieron ciertos fármacos. Lo hace de forma amena, la verdad es que me gustó porque no se me hizo nada pesado y cuenta cosas muy curiosas.
September 17, 2019
Too technical for me, had diagrams of chemical make up of drugs
February 25, 2020
Some of the technical terms used are not for the average reader.
August 21, 2020
Interesting parts, but sometimes very scientific and dry
Read
June 15, 2021Want yo read
May 21, 2022
A fascinating and thorough history of various drugs. I enjoyed that it covered a wide range including their discovery, uses, and cultural implications. At times quite a bit technical.
May 15, 2017
Drugs are a weird subject by default. You know they exist; you may know some of them and some of their effects. But how many of us know their history? What about how they work and how much science knows about them?
And this is where this book shines. Covering many different substances, the author goes in great detail into the fascinating stories about drugs and their discoveries, the chemical features that make them relevant and the ways they interact with the brain.
After reading it, and notwithstanding the inherent complexity of the chemistry involved, you’ll have a much broader understanding on this controversial but unavoidable subject. If the use of drugs is rampant in our contemporary world, knowing about them will at least give you a saner perspective and a much more informed position about the whens and hows they came to be what they are.
April 9, 2020
2016.03.22–2016.04.01
Contents
Miller RJ (2014) (15:42) Drugged - The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. In the Beginning
• Drugs and the origins of religion
• The great soma debate
• The Jesus cult
• The chemistry of soma
• How does muscimol work?
• Muscimol becomes gaboxadol
• The fall of gaboxadol
• Notes
2. Bicycle Day
• Ergot and its alkaloids
• The "little round things"
• Mysterious mysteries
• Mayan mushrooms
• Hallucinogenic tryptamines
• The ayahuasca of the Indians
• Peyote: the cactus hallucinogen
• The molecules of madness
• Dr. Shulgin's cookbooks
• LSD hits the streets
• Hallucinogenic mechanisms
• Notes
3. Purple Haze
• Mauve madness
• The rise of the chemical industry
• From chemicals to drugs
• Magic bullets
• The fall of the German drug industry
• Chlorpromazine, the first antipsychotic drug
• Antipsychotics shift the paradigm
• Antipsychotics: new structures and new mechanisms
• Reserpine: the natural antipsychotic
• The dopamine theory of schizophrenia
• Antipsychotic drugs block dopamine receptors
• Typicals and atypicals
• Atypical antipsychotics, atypical problems
• How do we measure psychosis in animals?
• Genes and schizophrenia
• Notes
4. The House of the Sylvan Harmonies
• The origins of Eli Lilly & co.
• Eli Lilly marches on
• The arrival of insulin
• Eli Junior takes the reigns
• The psychopathology of clinical depression
• The Nazi largesse
• The first antidepressants
• Biogenic amines and mood
• The rise of the tricyclics
• The mechanisms of tricyclic action
• Prozac: the billion dollar baby
• The SSRI phenomenon
• SSRIs become SNRIs
• Notes
5. The Cabinet of Doctor Snyder
• Opium and the Ancients
• Opium and alchemy
• The investigation of opium
• The identification of morphine
• De Quincey and the rise of romanticism
• Artistic endeavors
• Opiates and the industrial revolution
• Heroic acts
• The holy grail
• Inhibiting morphine
• The opiate receptor concept
• Dr. Snyder's breakthrough
• Enkephalins and endorphins
• Multiple opiate receptors
• Wasson's opiate
• Opiates, neurotransmission, and pain
• Notes
6. Divertimento
• Mr. Hoffmann meets Ms. Laroche
• The new world beckons
• The education of Leo
• Anxious moments
• Barbara's breakthrough
• Tranquilizers in a minor key
• Miltown hits Hollywood
• Leo Sternbach's home run
• Benzodiazepines and receptors
• The GABA connection
• The brain on steroids
• Alcohol and GABA
• Notes
7. Harry and Tonto
• The vilification of hemp
• The many uses of hemp
• Marijuana, cannabis, and hash
• China, India and Persia
• Cannabis and the West
• The kid from Poughkeepsie
• The purification of the cannabinoids
• The cannabinoid receptors and their agonists
• Endocannabinoids and neurotransmission
• The prescription of pot
• Pot and the law
• Notes
8. The Man with the Dragon Tattoo
• Liquid jade
• Tea conquers Europe
• Europe conquers tea
• The arrival of coffee
• Chocolate, bitter and sweet
• Goethe's question: Runge's reply
• ATP: the "energetic" neurotransmitter
• Cocaine reaches Europe
• From coca to coke
• Ephedrine and amphetamine
• Ecstatic amphetamines
• Psychostimulants and biogenic amines
• The Indians go up in smoke
• Nicotine: pleasure and poison
• Notes
9. Papillons
• The tragic story of Robert Schumann
• Notes
Bibliography
Index
Contents
Miller RJ (2014) (15:42) Drugged - The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. In the Beginning
• Drugs and the origins of religion
• The great soma debate
• The Jesus cult
• The chemistry of soma
• How does muscimol work?
• Muscimol becomes gaboxadol
• The fall of gaboxadol
• Notes
2. Bicycle Day
• Ergot and its alkaloids
• The "little round things"
• Mysterious mysteries
• Mayan mushrooms
• Hallucinogenic tryptamines
• The ayahuasca of the Indians
• Peyote: the cactus hallucinogen
• The molecules of madness
• Dr. Shulgin's cookbooks
• LSD hits the streets
• Hallucinogenic mechanisms
• Notes
3. Purple Haze
• Mauve madness
• The rise of the chemical industry
• From chemicals to drugs
• Magic bullets
• The fall of the German drug industry
• Chlorpromazine, the first antipsychotic drug
• Antipsychotics shift the paradigm
• Antipsychotics: new structures and new mechanisms
• Reserpine: the natural antipsychotic
• The dopamine theory of schizophrenia
• Antipsychotic drugs block dopamine receptors
• Typicals and atypicals
• Atypical antipsychotics, atypical problems
• How do we measure psychosis in animals?
• Genes and schizophrenia
• Notes
4. The House of the Sylvan Harmonies
• The origins of Eli Lilly & co.
• Eli Lilly marches on
• The arrival of insulin
• Eli Junior takes the reigns
• The psychopathology of clinical depression
• The Nazi largesse
• The first antidepressants
• Biogenic amines and mood
• The rise of the tricyclics
• The mechanisms of tricyclic action
• Prozac: the billion dollar baby
• The SSRI phenomenon
• SSRIs become SNRIs
• Notes
5. The Cabinet of Doctor Snyder
• Opium and the Ancients
• Opium and alchemy
• The investigation of opium
• The identification of morphine
• De Quincey and the rise of romanticism
• Artistic endeavors
• Opiates and the industrial revolution
• Heroic acts
• The holy grail
• Inhibiting morphine
• The opiate receptor concept
• Dr. Snyder's breakthrough
• Enkephalins and endorphins
• Multiple opiate receptors
• Wasson's opiate
• Opiates, neurotransmission, and pain
• Notes
6. Divertimento
• Mr. Hoffmann meets Ms. Laroche
• The new world beckons
• The education of Leo
• Anxious moments
• Barbara's breakthrough
• Tranquilizers in a minor key
• Miltown hits Hollywood
• Leo Sternbach's home run
• Benzodiazepines and receptors
• The GABA connection
• The brain on steroids
• Alcohol and GABA
• Notes
7. Harry and Tonto
• The vilification of hemp
• The many uses of hemp
• Marijuana, cannabis, and hash
• China, India and Persia
• Cannabis and the West
• The kid from Poughkeepsie
• The purification of the cannabinoids
• The cannabinoid receptors and their agonists
• Endocannabinoids and neurotransmission
• The prescription of pot
• Pot and the law
• Notes
8. The Man with the Dragon Tattoo
• Liquid jade
• Tea conquers Europe
• Europe conquers tea
• The arrival of coffee
• Chocolate, bitter and sweet
• Goethe's question: Runge's reply
• ATP: the "energetic" neurotransmitter
• Cocaine reaches Europe
• From coca to coke
• Ephedrine and amphetamine
• Ecstatic amphetamines
• Psychostimulants and biogenic amines
• The Indians go up in smoke
• Nicotine: pleasure and poison
• Notes
9. Papillons
• The tragic story of Robert Schumann
• Notes
Bibliography
Index
May 30, 2016
4.5 stars.
I'm to blame for the half-star void. The pharmacological science was pretty far over my head and I consequently found those sections a little difficult to get through. But the stories were super fun and interesting! I picked up this book because marijuana is a hot issue in Canada these days, and I surprisingly know very little about psychotropic substances, other than minor short-lived forays into erowid.org when I have been bored in the past.
My favourite parts in this book include:
1.) Liquid Jade - The history of human tea consumption and the interactions between colonial Britain, China and India (including its relation to the Opium Wars). The Robert Fortune story was super exciting. The botany segment on tea was also really interesting.
2.) Chapter 3 (I read it with my mom and she loved it!) was about how the chemists working on synthetic dyes (for moneyed fashion-conscious Europeans keeping up with tastemakers like Empress Eugenie) laid the foundations for the modern pharmaceutical industry. Interesting stuff about how coal tar was involved in all of this.
3.) The Schumann story in the last chapter was really good!
4.) The opening chapter describing the relation between psychotropic substances and religion. Also the history of opium, morphine, and heroin.
5.) The entire chapter on marijuana (Chapter 7) was really interesting, especially the history of hemp and how cannabis plants got mixed up in a lot of the race politics of Harry Anslinger's time. Also a fun fact about Queen Victoria in this chapter and a some speculative etymology regarding the word 'assassin'.
6.) The coffee and chocolate sections.
7.) Throughout the book, how a lot of illegal substances and 'street drugs' had their genesis in chemistry labs working to create medically and surgically useful substances.
8.) Many more that I can't remember off the top of my head, but really neat book!
I'm to blame for the half-star void. The pharmacological science was pretty far over my head and I consequently found those sections a little difficult to get through. But the stories were super fun and interesting! I picked up this book because marijuana is a hot issue in Canada these days, and I surprisingly know very little about psychotropic substances, other than minor short-lived forays into erowid.org when I have been bored in the past.
My favourite parts in this book include:
1.) Liquid Jade - The history of human tea consumption and the interactions between colonial Britain, China and India (including its relation to the Opium Wars). The Robert Fortune story was super exciting. The botany segment on tea was also really interesting.
2.) Chapter 3 (I read it with my mom and she loved it!) was about how the chemists working on synthetic dyes (for moneyed fashion-conscious Europeans keeping up with tastemakers like Empress Eugenie) laid the foundations for the modern pharmaceutical industry. Interesting stuff about how coal tar was involved in all of this.
3.) The Schumann story in the last chapter was really good!
4.) The opening chapter describing the relation between psychotropic substances and religion. Also the history of opium, morphine, and heroin.
5.) The entire chapter on marijuana (Chapter 7) was really interesting, especially the history of hemp and how cannabis plants got mixed up in a lot of the race politics of Harry Anslinger's time. Also a fun fact about Queen Victoria in this chapter and a some speculative etymology regarding the word 'assassin'.
6.) The coffee and chocolate sections.
7.) Throughout the book, how a lot of illegal substances and 'street drugs' had their genesis in chemistry labs working to create medically and surgically useful substances.
8.) Many more that I can't remember off the top of my head, but really neat book!
July 10, 2016
Omfg, thank God I've finally finished this damn book I feel like I've been reading it forever. I listened to it on Audio and it took me a long time because I had to listen to a chapter, then take a break and listen to something else, and just come back to it between other audio books because it was so damn dense. The title says "science and culture behind psychotropic drugs " but this book is much heavier on the science aspect than the culture aspect. There was a ton of very intense chemistry and pharmacology that was hard to follow. I am very interested inot pharmacology and still found it hard to stay engaged at times. But it was very interesting, especially the bits where it actually did focus on the social and culture aspects surrounding drugs and their use throughout history. But this is a very, very dry book, with very little literary flourish, so I don't recommend this unless your looking for scientific information on the way drugs work. There is some excellent information here but I wish it had been presented in a more fun, accessible way.
June 1, 2017
I really enjoyed this popular history of psychoactive drugs. While it claims to be encyclopedic, I found a few areas it skipped over; as far as I can recall, it didn't cover inhalants like nitrous oxide or poppers, or volatile chemicals like glue. It spends a LOT of time on antidepressants, but since that's my primary interest, I didn't mind it. The book has just enough neurochemistry that I got lost at times, but it's laid out simply enough that I could follow most of it, and expanded my understanding of the field without having to work too hard. Occasionally the author would make sweeping statements I wouldn't necessarily sign on with. One example: Morphine is the most important chemical the human race has encountered. I would suggest that gunpowder might be more important, though I wouldn't necessarily expect a professor of pharmacology to agree with me. Nonetheless, it's partly this willingness to make provocative statements, married to a fair amount of informational rigor, that made this such an enjoyable book for me.
March 23, 2014
Informative, but a little dry for my taste. The most interesting fact is to see ancient images of people under the influence. Vices are as old as human beings.
Pschycotropic mushrooms:
Woman under the influencee:
More junkies:
Ad for coke wine:
Pschycotropic mushrooms:
Woman under the influencee:
More junkies:
Ad for coke wine:
February 28, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page of this, although I am no man of science and it at times became hard to follow, then I never really lost track of how the drugs mentioned work on the brain. Not only is he unbiased concerning the use of drugs by people in the past, but he is also very careful to point out the dangers of a continued use of any psychotropic drugs. Understanding the historical background (as far as we are allowed to track it into the past), will leave one not only laughing, but left with a sense of wonder concerning the ignorance even the most well meaning person has in regard to the topic. After having read this book, you will be able to understand the flaws of other people's argument (thus correct them), as well as become able to justify why the topic of drug use is not simply black or white.
Any person with a interest in the subject of drugs, be it history, science, use or just to gain knowledge for the sake of understanding can and should not avoid this book.
Any person with a interest in the subject of drugs, be it history, science, use or just to gain knowledge for the sake of understanding can and should not avoid this book.
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