3 Review(s)

The book gives a non-technical account of how drugs work in the body. The twentieth century saw a remarkable upsurge of research on drugs, with major advances in the treatment of bacterial and viral infections, heart disease, stomac ulcers, cancer, and metal illnesses. These, along with the introduction of the oral contraceptive, have altered all of our lives. There has also been an increase in the recreational use and abuse of drugs in the Western world. The book reviews both legal (alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine) and illegal drugs and disscusses current idea about why some are addictive, and whether drug laws need reform. Special Features Covers both medicinal and recreational drugs Discusses the history of drug use from ancient times Explains the facts about how drugs work, including alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, as well as beta-blockers, antidepressants, and painkillers Explains how therapeutic drugs are developed and tested, and how the drug industry works Explores political, legal, medical, and social aspects of recreational drug-taking, and gives opinions about legalization of drugs such as cannabis Leslie Iversen's previous books include The Science of Marijuana