Overview

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. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Full Product Details

9780192854315

Table of Contents

Reviews

`The chapters are easy to dip into, but the book as a whole reads well and is short enough to read cover to cover. . . The book is up to date' Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 `I found the text very informative . . . this book succeeds as a general introduction to drugs in medicine abd society, and should have wide appeal to both scientists and non-scientists. It is also good value for money.' Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 `illuminating' TNT Magazine, 17/01/2001 `a vade-mecum of drugs of all kinds, bursting with facts presented succintly in a user-friendly style that will make it a favourite reference for many people not otherwise versed in the sciences. Highly recommended.' Gill Ewing, Nurturing Potential

`The chapters are easy to dip into, but the book as a whole reads well and is short enough to read cover to cover. . . The book is up to date' Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 `I found the text very informative . . . this book succeeds as a general introduction to drugs in medicine abd society, and should have wide appeal to both scientists and non-scientists. It is also good value for money.' Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 `illuminating' TNT Magazine, 17/01/2001 `a vade-mecum of drugs of all kinds, bursting with facts presented succintly in a user-friendly style that will make it a favourite reference for many people not otherwise versed in the sciences. Highly recommended.' Gill Ewing, Nurturing Potential

The chapters are easy to dip into, but the book as a whole reads well and is short enough to read cover to cover... The book is up to date Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 I found the text very informative ... this book succeeds as a general introduction to drugs in medicine abd society, and should have wide appeal to both scientists and non-scientists. It is also good value for money. Chemistry in Britain 01/03/2002 illuminating TNT Magazine, 17/01/2001 a vade-mecum of drugs of all kinds, bursting with facts presented succintly in a user-friendly style that will make it a favourite reference for many people not otherwise versed in the sciences. Highly recommended. Gill Ewing, Nurturing Potential

Author Information

Leslie Iversen is Professor of Pharmacology at Oxford, and was previously Director of the Neuroscience Research Centre of Merck Research Laboratories. His most recent book is The Science of Marijuana, published by OUP.

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