Full Description
What actually happens to you when you drink a cup of coffee?Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac? How do drugs like alcohol and cannabis work? Did psychedelics play a part in human evolution? In this fascinating little book, leading psychopharmacologist Dr. Ben Sessa describes the drugs, legal and illegal, natural and synthesised, from nicotine to endorphins, sugar to antidepressants, that humans all over the world take every day to change their state of mind. "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.
Contents
Introduction 1 States of Consciousness 2 The Brain 4 Neurotransmitters 6 Oxytocin & Adrenaline 8 Dreaming 10 Hypnotic States 12 Meditation 14 Endorphins 16 Sex & Aphrodisiacs 18 Emotional States 20 Food & Fasting 22 Sugar 24 Chocolate 26 Caffeine 28 Alcohol 30 Nicotine 32 Cannabis 34 Solvents & Inhalants 36 Ketamine & Nitrous Oxide 38 Cocaine 40 Opiates 42 MDMA & Amphetamines 44 Natural Psychedelics 46 LSD 48 Poisons & Potions 50 Shamanism 52 Antidepressants 54 Quantum Consciousness 56 Further Reading 58
