Table of Contents

Preface - PART I: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: HOW DRUGS INTERACT WITH THE BODY AND THE BRAIN - Pharmacokinetics: How Drugs are Handled by the Body - Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act - The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters - PART II: DRUGS THAT DEPRESS BRAIN FUNCTION: SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS - Ethyl Alcohol and Inhalants of Abuse - Barbiturates, General Anaesthetics and Antiepileptic Drugs - Benzodiazepines and "Second Generation" Anxiolytics - PART III: DRUGS THAT STIMULATE BRAIN FUNCTION: PSYCHOSTIMULANTS - Cocaine, Amphetamines, and Other Behavioral Stimulants - Caffeine and Nicotine - PART IV: DRUGS THAT RELIEVE PAIN: NARCOTIC AND NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS - Opioid Analgesics ("Narcotics") - Non-Narcotic Anti-inflammatory Analgesics - PART V: DRUGS THAT POSSESS HALLUCINOGENIC OR PSYCHEDELIC PROPERTIES - Tetrahydrocannabinol - Mescaline, LSD, and other "Psychedelic" Drugs - PART VI: DRUG ABUSE - Drugs and Society: Topics in Drug Abuse - Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids - PART VII: DRUGS THAT ARE USED TO TREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS - Drugs Used to Treat Depression (Antidepressants) - Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder (Mood Stabilizers) - Drugs Used to Treat Schizophrenia (Antipsychotic Drugs) - Drugs Used to Treat Parkinsonism - The Integration of Drugs and Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental and Behavioral Disorders-coauthored with D. Lange, M.D. - PART VIII: HERBAL MEDICINES - Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders

About the Author

ROBERT M. JULIEN, is Anaesthetist at the St Vincent Hospital and Medical Centre, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Reviews

"A complete, unbiased, and professional review of psychoactive drugs."--"American Journal of Psychiatry
"A concise, easily readable guide to actions, uses, and side effects of psychoactive drugs . . . This book covers general principles of each class of psychoactive drugs and specific information about each drug within that class. It looks at mechanisms of action, theories about etiologies of major psychological disorders and rationale for drug treatment, and uses and limitations of psychopharmacology. It also includes basic explanations of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Drugs of compulsive use are emphasized. Each of the 20 chapters examines current and future directions in drug research (including drugs not yet available for clinical use). An interesting new chapter on herbal medications has been added. A brief glossary is included. This is a bold attempt to capture the explosion of knowledge about psychoactive substances . . . This is a good, comprehensive review that has organized and presented a massive amount of often disparate information into a comprehensible, easy to use book."--Nancy Schell, MD (Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center), "Doody Review Services
"Since the primer's first edition 20 years ago, much has been learned about psychoactive drugs, their use in the treatment of mental disorders, and their potential for misuse. Chapters cover principles of drug action, properties of specific drugs, pharmacotherapy for various disorders, and societal issues. The primer's goal is to present information in clear language, free of jargon, for students and general readers, though scholarly syntax is the norm throughout."-- "Book News
"This in-depthsurvey of the effects of psychoactive drugs on the brain and behavior includes an expanded discussion of drug action and new discoveries in psychopharmacology since 1975. Surprisingly simple language lend insights to details on the actions, uses and side effects of these drugs. A valuable . . . reference addition."-- "Midwest Book Review