Messengers of Paradise, Opiates and the Brain: The Struggle Over Pain, Rage, Uncertainty and Addiction [Hardcover]

Charles F. Levinthal (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Scientific collaboration spiked with fierce competition attended the discovery in the 1970s that the human nervous system produces endorphinsopium-like pain-killersand the pinpointing of the brain's opiate receptors. Today many scientists believe that an over-opiated brain plagues autistic children and heroin addicts alike. Research suggests that acupuncture triggers pain-reducing reactions that are mediated by endorphins. In lucidly discussing these and other advances, Levinthal, a Hofstra (New York) psychology professor, interweaves the history of opium (a popular 19th century nostrum) and an account of the chemical treatment of pain, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, depression and stress. Of special interest are his speculations that endorphins were crucial to the long evolutionary journey from the reptilian brain to the "new mammal" brain that dominates our thought processes today.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Both titles deal with the discovery and role of endorphinsnaturally occurring opiates in the brainbut treat the material differently. Goldberg presents a very readable account of the discovery of endorphins, beginning with research on pig brains in the early 1970s and ending a decade later as endorphins are being considered for use in such diverse areas as obstetrics, phantom limb pain, and schizophrenia. He offers many references to actual dates, individuals, and places. Levinthal's more scholarly treatise presents a well-documented historical overview of opium and the structure, function, and chemistry of the brain. After briefly discussing the discovery of endorphins, he focuses on the various applications and parallels of endorphins to mental and physical conditions. While both titles are of great interest, Levinthal's represents the more complete and comprehensive treatment of the subject. Barbara J. Powell, Veterans Administration Medical Ctr., Kansas City, Mo.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 229 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (March 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385240678
• ISBN-13: 978-0385240673
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,681,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Charles F. Levinthal is Chair of the Department of Psychology and Professor of Psychology at Hofstra University, where he has taught and conducted research since 1971, having received his Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Michigan. He is author of fifteen books, including Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society, 7th ed. (2011), Drugs, Society, and Criminal Justice, 3rd ed. (2011), Point/Counterpoint: Opposing Perspectives on Issues of Drug Policy (2003), Introduction to Physiological Psychology, 3rd ed. (1990), and Messengers of Paradise: Opiates and the Brain (1988). Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society has been published in Korean (2008), and Messengers of the Paradise: Opiates and the Brain has been published in Spanish (1989) and Japanese (1991). His present research interests include issues in substance abuse and dependence, clinical neuropsychology, and cognitive decision-making. Dr. Levinthal presented the Hofstra University Distinguished Faculty Lecture in 1987 and was voted by the graduating Class of 2003 as Distinguished Teacher of the Year. Dr. Levinthal was elected as a Fellow of the American Psychological Association in 2010.