Customer Reviews

The Cocaine Papers

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.'"