Intoxicating Minds: How Drugs Work

Intoxicating minds is exactly what the title suggests: a text about brain drugs and drugged brains. Mind-bending drugs are the order of the day, including those used to bend the mind back to "normal" and those used so commonly that their effects are taken for granted. The whole gamut of psychoactive pharmacology is sampled and discussed: alcohol and nicotine, uppers and downers, hallucinogens and psychedelics, and tea and coffee. This book comes with a good pedigree. As so often promised by brain-book blurb, it is written by a leading brain researcher, Professor Ciaran Regan. Regan discusses the effects, pharmacology and historical context of a varied range of drugs in a clear, accessible style.There is not a great deal of new information presented, but a number of areas are covered, from neuroscience and pharmacology to psychiatry and all the big names and major theories are mentioned. Regan does not try to be cutting edge (read Nature if that's what you hoped for) or propose radical new theories, but offers a decent review of recent understanding and current knowledge in psychopharmacology.Clearly, the topic is an interesting one, and it is well handled. The depth and interest added by the historical detail add a great deal to the psychopharmacolgy presented. This is most evident in the chapter on hallucinogens and psychedelics, which discusses the history of these drugs' use going back thousands of years: shamen's use of these substances and the association of a potent mix with witches' flight (they spread it on their broomsticks) is discussed alongside contemporary writers' use of LSD. This is a smashing little book which contains a lot of interesting information. An extensive bibliography is provided, so you can follow up areas that have stimulated your interest - there will be several.

My first read of Regan's was a very nice experience. The book gives you very insightful information into "how drugs work" just as the cover states. It supports everything with ahrd-core evidence (which I love) and does not seem to pick a bias stand point on drug usage etc. and just gives a 'matter of fact' point of view much like a journalist. Regan does not only point out the effects on drugs on the human body but also the influence of drugs on human beings throughout history...and how they have "reconfigured the chemistry of the body and the brain" throughout our own evolution.Well read!