29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intro to History, Uses & Properties of Psychoactive Drugs., February 26, 2005
This review is from: From Chocolate to Morphine: Everything You Need to Know About Mind-Altering Drugs (Paperback)
"From Chocolate to Morphine" (2004 edition) attempts to be a basic encyclopedic reference of psychoactive drugs and their uses, whose goal is to provide objective information on the risks and benefits of prescription, over-the-counter, illegal, and natural drugs for a modern audience living in a very drug-soaked society. The authors, Dr. Andrew Weil and Winifred Rosen, are forthright about their perspective: "We cannot say that we have no biases about drugs, but we think that we know what our biases are." They don't generally encourage or discourage recreational drug use. Instead, they repeatedly emphasize the necessity of education and avoiding dependency if one is to use drugs beneficially. I say "generally", because the authors' tone betrays obvious disdain for a few drugs and affection for some others.
The authors outline their viewpoint and purpose in the book's first chapter, where they also offer some rather silly advice to parents, teachers, and teens on communicating about drugs. But the book improves from there. Chapters 2-5 provide basic information: What is a Drug, Why People Use Drugs, Relationships with Drugs, and Types of Drugs. This is followed by chapters on Stimulants, Depressants, Psychedelics, Marijuana, a sort of catch-all chapter on Solvents and Inhalants/Deliriants/PCP and Ketamine, and Medical Drugs/Herbal Remedies/Smart Drugs. The information on each drug is not what I would call complete, and it probably isn't meant to be. Caffeine is handled poorly. Its immunosuppressant, diuretic, and damaging effects on the linings of blood vessels are not mentioned. On the other hand, the cases against tobacco and alcohol may be overstated. The book is very hard on heroin, speaks well of marijuana, but omits glaucoma treatment when discussing medicinal uses. The authors don't like anti-depressants, especially SSRIs. I can't say that I blame them, but, oddly, they are more harsh when discussing antihistamines. Descriptions for each drug contain history and basic information on uses, effects, and dangers. One of the best features of "From Chocolate to Morphine" is the Suggested Reading at the end of each chapter, which provides a list of related books and films for those readers who would like more detailed information.
The final chapters of the book address Problems with Drugs, Alternatives to Drugs, and the authors give us some Final Words on the subject of drug use -including some interesting advice regarding the treatment of drug addiction. The Appendix contains about 40 pages of interesting "First Person Accounts and Comments" on drug use, and is followed by a glossary and an index. Dr. Andrew Weil and Winifred Rosen don't hide their contempt for the current drug hysteria and drug policies in the United States. Nor do they deny how easy it is to become dependent on drugs if they are used carelessly or for the wrong reasons. "From Chocolate to Morphine" isn't a definitive work on psychoactive drugs, but it's a good primer that is easy to read. Those who intend to use any of these drugs on a regular basis will want more detailed information, for which the Suggested Reading sections are excellent guides.
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to keep drugs from ruining your life, February 17, 2000
By A Customer
The drug czar would claim this book "sends the wrong message" to kids. Sorry, czar. I disagree. Ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance can kill you. This book gives the facts, not "messages."
The central premise of the book is, "There are no good or bad drugs, only good and bad relationships with drugs." It then goes on to explain the dangers inherent in each drug and how to use the drug responsibly to avoid the dangers and have a good relationship with that drug, if possible.
We already provide that sort of information for alcohol when we say "don't drink and drive" and "don't drink alone," for instance. This book expands that to give guidelines for all the common "recreational" drugs.
For some drugs (e.g., tobacco) it's virtually impossible to have a good relationship with them because they are so addicting. That is all spelled out, and because the book gives clear explanations of WHY certain drugs are dangerous (i.e. why it's very difficult to have a good relationship with them), it becomes, I think, far easier to rationally choose not to use those drugs.
"Just say no" goes only so far. At some point some kids WILL say "yes." What then? This book will give a kid who does experiment much better odds of not doing something really stupid....and possibly, by satisfying a lot of a kid's curiosity about drugs, keep him from experimenting at all.
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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The single best book on mind altering drugs, August 11, 1999
By A Customer
This book covers almost all the information you could want toknow about mind-altering substances. It includes a history of drugsand drug use. It has user reports, lists side effects, has precautions for would-be users, and offers advice as to the safety of various drugs. There is a section all about WHY people use drugs, as well as suggestions for a sane domestic policy regarding drug use. Dr. Andrew Weil is probably the most respected proponent of homeopathic medicine in the USA. His insights are detailed and while he has a certain political bias in regards to drugs, his advice comes from his extensive experience as a Medical Doctor. I'd give this one an extra star if it were an option. If you're seeking useful info about drugs that is not clouded by anti-drug propoganda or pro-drug mania, then this is the book you need.
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