The Chemistry of Mind-Altering Drugs
Price:
$48.95 $34.30 (06)American Chemical Society
Description
This fascinating book presents a scientificlly objective, and thoroughly documented exposition of the pharmacological and psychological effects of nearly every known substance that affects human consciousness, from alcohol to Zopiclone. It also features first-hand accounts and descriptions of the social, cultural, and religious milieus in which many psychotropic plants are used, and discusses historical allusions to many literary and scientific figures who used or wrote of mind-altering drugs, including Freud, Dickens, Yeats, and Huxley. Intended for a wide audience of general readers seeking unbiased information, the book gives an accessible explanation of drug-receptor interaction and organic chemical structures, as well as descriptions of the discovery, isolation, and syntheses of the chemical substances responsible for drug activity. Written by an experienced chemist, the book nevertheless keeps technical information to a minimum.Reviews
"This book will provide a pleasant surprise for many readers! . . . I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with basic science literacy who wants a good general overview of psychoactive substances, how they were discovered, and the roles they play in medicine and in our present culture." --David E. Nichols in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
"An appropriate alternative title for this fascinating, modestly priced volume might be 'Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Drugs.' The author . . . has left no stone unturned in making this vade mecum of drugs, for specialist or layperson alike, as complete as possible . . . Clearly a labor of love. . . . I heartily recommend this interesting and informative study not only to chemists and pharmacologists but also to professionals, students and educators in the health sciences as well as to science-conscious citizens concerned with the social and ethical implications of the use of mind-altering drugs in our society." --George B. Kauffman in American Scientist
"Mind-altering substances have captivated human beings through the ages and have certainly been in the forefront of local, national, and international politics for more than a century . . . Because this subject holds the interest of such a disparate group of individuals, it is not an easy task to write a book on this subject that would appeal to a diverse audience. Perrine has made a serious attempt to write such a book . . . Very readable and chocked with information . . . providing rich descriptions of the psychological and behavioral effects of mind-altering drugs." --Journal of the American Chemical Society
"In addition to the crucially important element of subjective effects, Daniel Perrine's book complements the more standard presentation of drugs of abuse by filling out their essentially human side . . . In so doing, his book takes on a more enjoyable and, at times, compelling quality. It is not often one can call a basically pharmacological textbook a page-turner, . . ." --American Journal of Psychiatry
"This book will provide a pleasant surprise for many readers! . . . I enthusiastically recommend it to anyone with basic science literacy who wants a good general overview of psychoactive substances, how they were discovered, and the roles they play in medicine and in our present culture."--David E. Nichols in Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
"A 26-year-old woman had eaten a lemon poppy seed muffin and her urine test by GS-MS showed traces of morphine and codeine. . . . Notwithstanding the sparing use of poppy seed in American gastronomy, the author warns that using drugs has become truly as American as apple pie. The book describes the chemistry and pharmacology of the substances of mind-altering drug activity. It also provides, in appendices, plenty of introductory organic chemistry for the chemically uninitiated not to be drowned in the formulas of the discussion. Dr. Perrine, however, gives much more than chemistry. He stresses the importance of culture and tradition in the discussion of drug use and beautifully integrates the most diverse aspects of this complex issue. It is a real tour de force that chemistry appears more friendly than alienating in this potentially frightening context. The book will be of interest to a broad readership beyond chemistry and beyond science."--The Chemical Intelligencer
