Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs

By: Richard J. Miller

Narrated by: Roger Clark

"Morphine," writes Richard J. Miller, "is the most significant chemical substance mankind has ever encountered." So ancient that remains of poppies have been found in Neolithic tombs, it is the most effective drug ever discovered for treating pain. "Whatever advances are made in medicine," Miller adds, "nothing could really be more important than that." And yet, when it comes to mind-altering substances, morphine is only a cc or two in a vast river that flows through human civilization, ranging from LSD to a morning cup of tea.

In Drugged, Miller takes listeners on an eye-opening tour of psychotropic drugs, describing the various kinds, how they were discovered and developed, and how they have played multiple roles in virtually every culture. The vast scope of chemicals that cross the blood-brain barrier boggle the very brain they reach: cannabis and cocaine, antipsychotics and antidepressants, alcohol, amphetamines, and Ecstasy - and much more.

Literate and wide-ranging, Miller weaves together science and history, telling the story of the undercover theft of 20,000 tea plants from China by a British spy, for example; the European discovery of coffee and chocolate; and how James Wolfgang von Goethe, the famous man of letters, first isolated the alkaloid we now know as caffeine.

Miller explains what scientists know - and don't - about the impact of each drug on the brain, down to the details of neurotransmitters and their receptors. He clarifies the differences between morphine and heroin, mescaline and LSD, and other similar substances. Drugged brims with surprises, revealing the fact that antidepressant drugs evolved from the rocket fuel that shot V2 rockets into London during World War II, highlighting the role of hallucinogens in the history of religion, and asking whether Prozac can help depressed cats.

Entertaining and authoritative, Drugged is a truly fascinating book.

©2014 Oxford University Press (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Wow This was heady

What did you love best about Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs?

This was a really good book but so far beyond my ability to understand 100% that I just kind of listened to it and ignored what I did comprehend. The author used very technical terms in describing various drugs but as long as I just kind of ignored those parts I was all good and the info in it was great. There was a good bit that shows how in some ways the politics of the system that we use that brings new drugs to the market actually prevent some really good medication from ever making it to the market.

Good Read, But not for Everyone

I enjoyed this book immensely. However, I have a pretty good background in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Without some background in pharmacology, organic chemistry, or biochemistry, quite a bit of this material will be incomprehensible to you. I think a reasonable minimum pre-requisite to get the most out of the book would be some fairly recent undergraduate course work in one or more of these subjects. Though the author explains many of the technical terms and concepts he introduces, he often explains them in ways that assume only slightly less knowledge than if he offered no explanation at all. I do think a reasonably well educated reader with an interest in the subject could get a lot out of the book without much pharmacological or chemical knowledge if she didn't let the technical details throw her.

I enjoyed the narrator very much, but then I always like to hear narration with a british accent.

Interesting reading but heavy on the biochemistry

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I enjoyed this audiobook but have a background in the field. The author takes us throughout each of the various classes of mind and mood altering drugs, both prescription and illegal, offering a brief history of each, their uses, effects, efficacy etc. Most, if not all the drugs covered here will be familiar to most readers and there is lots of interesting details, trivia, and factoids. This isn't a book for anyone searching for the right "med" - rather, is more of a history of man's flirtation with and apparent need for, mind altering experiences. I was captivated throughout. My only criticism was that the author tends to delve a little too deep into the biochemistry of each drug which tends to overwhelm the reader at times. As well, I got the sense the title was the publisher's ploy to make this rather academic book more appealing to the lay reader. Still, for anyone with an interest in the history and science behind many of our modern drugs of choice to either treat or self-medicate psychiatric illnesses, this is the book for you.

What does Roger Clark bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

No complaints about the narration. Could have been dry given the subject matter but to the credit of Clark.

Very interesting!

Would you listen to Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs again? Why?

If you work in the medical field, or just have an interest in science pharmacology, or social history, you will find a wealth of exciting facts here. It's read well and was just very very interesting!

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How medications grow out of other medications - the evolution process.

Any additional comments?

Just that it's like a textbook, only written and read in such a way that even if you don't have a medical background you will enjoy the learning experience. It's not dry and boring, but relevant to current science and society.

Eye opening expose of the history of drugs

Drugged is an excellent audio book with wonderful narration. The author tells the story of who discovered pcilocybin and mescaline, and tells some interesting history of the Grateful Dead. He reveals that research on LSD has recently been revived and interestingly, tells how ecstasy was discovered in 1912. He leads us through the discovery of coal tar, which led to anesthetics, which led to psychiatric drugs. He reveals how a Scottish family with schizophrenia helped scientists discover the related gene. He reveals how in 1977 Eli Lily Co developed a new drug Prozac and why it became the first drug in the world to reach one billion dollars in sales. The author talks about Miltown and how Hollywood stars used it. He really makes you think as he sets up a question and walks the reader through it, for example how receptors for benzodiazepams work. A little humor thrown in for good measure makes this a most enjoyable audiobook!

Solid history of drugs, but not very modern

Would you listen to Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs again? Why?

Yes. It is quite dense and there are a lot of interesting facts in it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs?

The description of how early hallucinogens were carefully guarded by religious leaders was fascinating.

Have you listened to any of Roger Clark’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A History of Biochemistry

Any additional comments?

If what you are expecting is a book about the current drug sub-culture, you will be sadly disappointed here. This book does an excellent job of looking at the history of drug use over the centuries, but spends little time in the last 20 years. As an example, the biochemistry of crack cocaine is discussed in detail. The practical effects of how crack cocaine has changed the use of that drug in recent decades is almost totally absent. This book is heavy on history and biochemistry, but does little to discuss the current epidemic of meth or the legalization of marijuana. I truly enjoyed it, but it was not what I was expecting.

Boring

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No--it was so boring I could not make it all the way through

Has Drugged: The Science and Culture Behind Psychotropic Drugs turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not totally--I did listen to the latest book about LSD and it was a bit better--it engaged me like this book did not

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

no

A fascinating survey of science and history

Fascinating and dry in equal measures, be prepared for engrossing storytelling mixed with a healthy dose of textbook-dense chemistry and the biological implications. Definitely enjoyed it, but those looking for a narrative journey should be prepared for the heavy lectures interspersed within.

One of the most interesting books I've heard

Surely the beginning of a deep dive into any or all of the facets of this gem, but on its own a fascinating tale of science and history.

By all means listen under the influence, but choose wisely of you do. Mine was plain old boring exercise...

Fascinating story ruined by awful Reader

I had very high hopes for this book because the subject matter is of great interest to me. Having worked in a neuropharmacology research lab, I am familiar with many of the drugs and chemicals referenced by the author. It was that extremely disappointing to find out that the book is read by a narrator who hasn’t a clue about the proper pronunciation of literally dozens of chemicals, drugs, and even simple abbreviations related to same. While I don’t mind an occasional mispronunciation by a narrator, there are so many here that it becomes a major distraction. If this subject is of interest, I suggest you buy the book and read it rather than listen to this sorry effort.