A Primer of Drug Action

Preface - PART I: INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY: HOW DRUGS INTERACT WITH THE BODY AND THE BRAIN - Pharmacokinetics: How Drugs are Handled by the Body - Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act - The Neuron, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters - PART II: DRUGS THAT DEPRESS BRAIN FUNCTION: SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS - Ethyl Alcohol and Inhalants of Abuse - Barbiturates, General Anaesthetics and Antiepileptic Drugs - Benzodiazepines and"Second Generation"Anxiolytics - PART III: DRUGS THAT STIMULATE BRAIN FUNCTION: PSYCHOSTIMULANTS - Cocaine, Amphetamines, and Other Behavioral Stimulants - Caffeine and Nicotine - PART IV: DRUGS THAT RELIEVE PAIN: NARCOTIC AND NON-NARCOTIC ANALGESICS - Opioid Analgesics ("Narcotics") - Non-Narcotic Anti-inflammatory Analgesics - PART V: DRUGS THAT POSSESS HALLUCINOGENIC OR PSYCHEDELIC PROPERTIES - Tetrahydrocannabinol - Mescaline, LSD, and other"Psychedelic"Drugs - PART VI: DRUG ABUSE - Drugs and Society: Topics in Drug Abuse - Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids - PART VII: DRUGS THAT ARE USED TO TREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS - Drugs Used to Treat Depression (Antidepressants) - Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder (Mood Stabilizers) - Drugs Used to Treat Schizophrenia (Antipsychotic Drugs) - Drugs Used to Treat Parkinsonism - The Integration of Drugs and Psychological Interventions in the Treatment of Mental and Behavioral Disorders-coauthored with D. Lange, M.D. - PART VIII: HERBAL MEDICINES - Herbal Medicines Used in the Treatment of Psychological Disorders