Cocaine Papers [Hardcover]

Sigmund Freud (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Outlet (March 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517175134
• ISBN-13: 978-0517175132
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,277,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) is one of the twentieth century's greatest minds and the founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. His many works include The Ego and the Id; An Outline of Psycho-Analysis; Inhibitions; Symptoms and Anxiety; New Introductory Lectures on Psycho-Analysis; Civilization and Its Discontent, and others.

Customer Reviews

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ALL OF FREUD'S WRITINGS ON COCAINE, IN A SINGLE VOLUME, August 16, 2010

By 

Steven H. Propp (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Cocaine Papers (Paperback)

Yes, Freud did at one time advocate (and even use himself) cocaine---both as a painkiller (e.g., for eye surgery) and as a stimulant. (Remember that it was LEGAL at this time.) He even recommended it to his friend (and morphine addict) Ernst von Fleischl-Marxow, who died from cocaine overuse only a few years later---which Freud was greatly distraught about. However, he later rejected it, as more and more reports came in of its highly addictive qualities. (His early advocacy DID somewhat tarnish his reputation as a medical doctor, however.)

This very informative book assembles all of his articles, letters, and other writings (including excerpts from writings ABOUT Freud, such as Ernest Jones' famous biography, The Life and Work of Sigmund Freud - Volumes 1-3. Here are some representative quotations from the book:

"It seems probable, in light of reports which I shall refer to later, that coca, if used protractedly but in moderation, is not detrimental to the body."
"Long-term use of coca is further strongly recommended---and allegedly has been tried with success---in all diseases which involve degeneration of the tissues."
(Letter from E. Merck) "The remedy has also been recommended as an aphrodisiac, and Dr. Freud has undoubtedly observed sexual excitation occur after the use of cocaine."
"(A)s a result of my findings, I must stress, even more emphatically than before, the diversity of individual reactions to cocaine."
"All reports of addiction to cocaine ... refer to morphine addicts.... Cocaine has claimed no other, no victim on its own."
"To the history of Freud's hospital years (1882-1885) belongs a chapter on his advocation of cocaine, a 'side interest, though a deep one.'"