Brain-Robbers: How Alcohol, Cocaine, Nicotine, and Opiates Have Changed Human History (Praeger Series on Contemporary Health and Living)

A psychiatrist examines how the world’s four most important mind-altering substances alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and opiateshave played a significant role throughout human history, and explains how these powerful drugs affect the brain and cause addiction.

· Presents a historical review of four plant-derived drugsalcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and opiatesand their effects throughout human civilization, as well as a fascinating exploration of the mystery and misery of addiction

· Provides comprehensive explanations of medical and psychiatric effects of these drugs

· Supplies stories of people who made discoveries about these drugs or who had their lives altered by them

· Describes the discovery of the way in which the brain works

· Includes illustrations of brain pathways and of the four plants of origin for these drugs, and maps showing drug trade triangles