High Price

A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society

De: Carl Hart

Narrado por: JD Jackson

A pioneering neuroscientist shares his story of growing up in one of Miami's toughest neighborhoods and how it led him to his groundbreaking work in drug addiction.

As a youth, Carl Hart didn't realize the value of school; he studied just enough to stay on the basketball team. At the same time, he was immersed in street life. Today he is a cutting-edge neuroscientist—Columbia University's first tenured African American professor in the sciences—whose landmark, controversial research is redefining our understanding of addiction.

In this provocative and eye-opening memoir, he recalls his journey of self-discovery and weaves his past and present. Hart goes beyond the hype of the antidrug movement as he examines the relationship among drugs, pleasure, choice, and motivation, both in the brain and in society. His findings shed new light on common ideas about race, poverty, and drugs, and explain why current policies are failing.

Though Hart escaped neighborhoods that were dominated by entrenched poverty and the knot of problems associated with it, he has not turned his back on his roots. Determined to make a difference, he tirelessly applies his scientific research to help save real lives. But balancing his former street life with his achievements today has not been easy—a struggle he reflects on publicly for the first time.

A powerful story of hope and change, of a scientist who has dedicated his life to helping others, High Price will alter the way we think about poverty, race, and addiction—and how we can effect change.

Does what it says it does

At first, I was going to give it 4 stars bc I wasn't expecting a memoir, but when I abandoned that expectation, I really enjoyed and appreciated Dr.Hart's perspective. I admittedly had my own ignorance and misconceptions about illegal drugs and this audio book helped change my mind. btw I highly recommend listening to this book while working out. it's fast paced and frank in its delivery of scientific, social, and personal insights. I also hope any typos in this review don't detract from what I'm saying, as I'm typing on my tiny phone screen while on the elliptical machine. cheers!

An objective look at drugs and drug policy

Dr. Carl Hart shares his personal development from the economically disadvantaged Miami neighborhood from which he came to the monumental status he achieved through his post doctoral work on drug and addiction science. His objective take on drugs and drug policy highlights the misinformation campaign around drugs that creates a disproportionately negative affect in the black communities in America. Starting before drug policies were written in America, the misinformation campaign targets black Americans when a new drug is discovered. Powder cocaine, Marijuana, alcohol dyring prohibition, heroin, crack cocaine, methamphetamine all have had tired, recycled arguments based in anecdotal fear mongering to perpetuate the over policing of black and low socioeconomic communities. Governmental and trusted organizations have perpetuated these myths since before anyone alive was born. if we continue to ignore these intolerable policies, we will continue the cycle of oppressing and dehumanizing our fellow Americans.

A profound research and understanding

Dr carl removes the myths from Drugs that we all used to believe or were brainwashed by the media. Very insightful.

great information and story

loved it. it was a great story and eye opening perception on drugs specifically crack cocaine

Amazing book and author

Inspiring book with moving personal experiences, struggles, education, personal growth, society and drug science. Must read for anyone interested in learning the truth about addiction and drug use.