Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs

De: Richard J. Miller

Narrado por: Roger Clark

"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 from LSD to a morning cup of tea.

In Drugged, Miller takes listeners 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 reach: 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.

©2014 Oxford University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wow This was heady

What did you love best about Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs?

This was a really good book but so far beyond my ability to understand 100% that I just kind of listened to it and ignored what I did comprehend. The author used very technical terms in describing various drugs but as long as I just kind of ignored those parts I was all good and the info in it was great. There was a good bit that shows how in some ways the politics of the system that we use that brings new drugs to the market actually prevent some really good medication from ever making it to the market.

Good Read, But not for Everyone

I enjoyed this book immensely. However, I have a pretty good background in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Without some background in pharmacology, organic chemistry, or biochemistry, quite a bit of this material will be incomprehensible to you. I think a reasonable minimum pre-requisite to get the most out of the book would be some fairly recent undergraduate course work in one or more of these subjects. Though the author explains many of the technical terms and concepts he introduces, he often explains them in ways that assume only slightly less knowledge than if he offered no explanation at all. I do think a reasonably well educated reader with an interest in the subject could get a lot out of the book without much pharmacological or chemical knowledge if she didn't let the technical details throw her.

I enjoyed the narrator very much, but then I always like to hear narration with a british accent.

A fascinating survey of science and history

Fascinating and dry in equal measures, be prepared for engrossing storytelling mixed with a healthy dose of textbook-dense chemistry and the biological implications. Definitely enjoyed it, but those looking for a narrative journey should be prepared for the heavy lectures interspersed within.

One of the most interesting books I've heard

Surely the beginning of a deep dive into any or all of the facets of this gem, but on its own a fascinating tale of science and history.

By all means listen under the influence, but choose wisely of you do. Mine was plain old boring exercise...

Fascinating story ruined by awful Reader

I had very high hopes for this book because the subject matter is of great interest to me. Having worked in a neuropharmacology research lab, I am familiar with many of the drugs and chemicals referenced by the author. It was that extremely disappointing to find out that the book is read by a narrator who hasn’t a clue about the proper pronunciation of literally dozens of chemicals, drugs, and even simple abbreviations related to same. While I don’t mind an occasional mispronunciation by a narrator, there are so many here that it becomes a major distraction. If this subject is of interest, I suggest you buy the book and read it rather than listen to this sorry effort.