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Review
...a thoughtful adn thorough review of amphetamines from both the historical perspective of their use in society and from a more scientific view of their effects, uses (past, present, future), and dangers...well written, informative,a nd will be useful for a wide variety of readers. (Michael Easton, MD, Rush University Medical Center )
Product Description
Amphetamines have had a relatively short, though chequered history. From their use in wartime, their abuse by the beat generation, up to the popularity of Ecstasy in the late 20th century, many have found amphetamines an enjoyable, though unpredictable, stimulant. More than that though, amphetamine-based treatments have been found to have beneficial effects for those suffering from attention deficit disorders, and are now widely prescribed in the US and elsewhere as a treatment for children and adults. What is the truth behind these medical claims? What are the real effects of stimulants like Ecstasy? Just how harmful are amphetamines? In this book, a leading authority on psychoactive drugs explores the uses and abuses of amphetamines. Starting with a look at the origins of amphetamines, their use in wartime, their use by poets, musicians - even a President of the US, it presents a fascinating and accessible account of amphetamine use. It examines the evidence for the claims that drugs like Ecstasy kill, and considers the widespread use of amphetamines for ADHD, presenting a thorough account based on science and fact, rather than dogma.
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Amphetamines come in many different forms and have powerful effects for good and evil. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
Amphetamines come in many different forms and have powerful effects for good and evil. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As the title of this timely book alludes, Amphetamines occupy a curious position; on the one hand they are a commonly abused, potentially devastating class of substances, on the other, an increasingly popularly prescribed psychiatric medication.
Leslie Iversen is a Pharmacologist, and his book covers the mechanism of action of amphetamines, before going on to give a brief history of amphetamines, their medical uses, their abuse around the world, and their harmful effects, with a chapter devoted to ecstasy.
I found the description of the scandal surrounding the prescription of fenfluramine/phentermine for obesity in the '90s, leading to an upsurge in heart and lung problems, particularly fascinating, and a chilling model of what can go wrong when effective drug safety monitoring breaks down.
The writing is clear throughout, although the comprehensibility will depend somewhat on a reader's background; whilst the chapters on the history and medical uses of amphetamines are accessible to anyone, the chapters on pharmacology and harms are aimed more squarely at the professional reader.
The book is also very even-handed, acknowledging the potential benefits, as well as harms of amphetamines. I found the chapter on ecstasy interesting in relation to this; almost 20 years after its use exploded onto the UK drug scene, and after a lot of early exaggerated accounts of its danger, the conclusion here is that the jury is still out regarding long-term harm.
Overall I would strongly recommend this as a up-to-date review of a critical area for mental health professionals or those working in substance misuse services. The interested amateur reader will also find much that is interesting here, as long as they don't mind some in-depth science.
Leslie Iversen is a Pharmacologist, and his book covers the mechanism of action of amphetamines, before going on to give a brief history of amphetamines, their medical uses, their abuse around the world, and their harmful effects, with a chapter devoted to ecstasy.
I found the description of the scandal surrounding the prescription of fenfluramine/phentermine for obesity in the '90s, leading to an upsurge in heart and lung problems, particularly fascinating, and a chilling model of what can go wrong when effective drug safety monitoring breaks down.
The writing is clear throughout, although the comprehensibility will depend somewhat on a reader's background; whilst the chapters on the history and medical uses of amphetamines are accessible to anyone, the chapters on pharmacology and harms are aimed more squarely at the professional reader.
The book is also very even-handed, acknowledging the potential benefits, as well as harms of amphetamines. I found the chapter on ecstasy interesting in relation to this; almost 20 years after its use exploded onto the UK drug scene, and after a lot of early exaggerated accounts of its danger, the conclusion here is that the jury is still out regarding long-term harm.
Overall I would strongly recommend this as a up-to-date review of a critical area for mental health professionals or those working in substance misuse services. The interested amateur reader will also find much that is interesting here, as long as they don't mind some in-depth science.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As a worker in the substance misuse field, I have searched long and hard for a book on the amphetamines/stimulants - well I have found it in Iversen's book. It is (from my experience) well researched, contains many items of historical use, has a useful bibliography for each chapter, but most of all - was published in 2006!! ie it is up to date with current thinking about this field of stimulants. They are about to erupt onto the drug scene of the UK with a vengeance. I seem to be a prophet in the wilderness crying out that methylamphetamine is going to be the UK's No.1 public health problem very shortly - it is easily made from over the counter ingredients, and has lasting side effects, not the least of which is aggression - Iverson lists all these in his book and gives references to them.
This book is handily pitched between the interested amateur, and the professional working in the drug field. I would unhesitatingly recommend this book to these two groups.
This book is handily pitched between the interested amateur, and the professional working in the drug field. I would unhesitatingly recommend this book to these two groups.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
This is a large research paper...
10 Aug 2011
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I feel like this Ph.D Oxford (or something rather) professor is making a killing knowing that talking about drugs will keep people's attention. It details all about dextroamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and methylphenidate. It quotes sources throughout and has no original material. There are parenthesis with last names and page numbers after every idea. I feel like this Ph.D Oxford (or something rather) professor is making a killing knowing that talking about drugs will keep people's attention. I learned little through this book, and felt like it was a waste of my money.
3 of 6 people found the following review helpful
speed and more speed
10 Dec 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Neuro enhancements are on their way (again) and this text appers to head in the direction of normalizing the acceptance of their use. While there is nothing new that the author adds to the knowledge of these medications/drugs, the underlying theme is cautionary of what will eventually will become (if it is not already) a movement to use neurotransmitters as adjuncts to what is considered a "normal" brain. If the reader is not familiar with the topic of the book it is an OK introduction to the nature and use of these types of drugs. Nothing new under the sun in terms of the use of substances to "enhance" our natural abilities.
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