Brain-Robbers: How Alcohol, Cocaine, Nicotine, and Opiates Have Changed Human History

A psychiatrist examines how the world's four most important mind-altering substances— alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and opiates—have 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 drugs—alcohol, cocaine, nicotine, and opiates—and 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