In the time of the 1960s and '70s counterculture, lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly known as LSD, was a popular hallucinogenic drug. Though eventually made illegal, LSD was first used in government and psychotherapeutic experiments conducted to pinpoint a clinical use for the drug. These experiments were abandoned due to the unpredictability of people's reactions to LSD 'trips' and the dangerous psychological effects that an unpredictable bad trip can have on a person. "LSD" gives a brief overview of how hallucinogens work in the brain and explains their traditional use in spiritual contexts. Looking at the psychological, biological, social, and legal aspects of this psychedelic drug, this informative new title explains the chemistry of the drug, dispels common misconceptions, and highlights the very real risks of hallucinogenic drugs.Chapters include: Overview of Hallucinogens; History of LSD; Government Testing of LSD; Psychological and Physiological Effects of LSD; LSD-Induced Psychological Disorders; Use of LSD in Psychotherapy; and Comparison of LSD to Other Hallucinogens....

Popular party drugs from the 1980s to the present, crack and its more expensive, purer form, cocaine, have gripped users both rich and poor in the United States. "Crack" examines the psychological, biomedical, social, and legal aspects of this highly addictive form of cocaine. Beginning with an overview of how crack affects the brain and body, the book details why the drug is so addictive, the history and demographics of its use, and the relationship between crack and crime. Illustrated with full-color and black-and-white images, "Crack" discusses the medical and psychological consequences of crack use and summarizes current approaches to the treatment of addiction to crack cocaine. The chapters include: Why Is Crack So Addictive? History of Crack Cocaine; Demographics of Crack Use; Crack, Crime, and Violence; and Treatment for Crack Addiction....

Tourette syndrome is a disorder of the nervous system that involves involuntary vocal and motor tics - sudden, rapid, repeated sounds and movements. Tourette is usually first identified in children between the ages of 7 and 10, and boys are four times as likely as girls to have the disorder. The disorder can be mild or severe, with about 10 percent of Americans having a mild form, according to the National Institutes of Health. "Tourette Syndrome" explores the signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment of this bizarre and misunderstood neurological condition, which is often referred to as a 'tic' disorder. Following an overview of Tourette syndrome, the book details its history, symptoms, biological causes and triggers of tic episodes, epidemiology, and current forms of treatment. Ways in which parents and children cope with Tourette syndrome and its social stigma, as well as psychiatric conditions that are commonly associated with it, are also discussed. Chapters of this book include: Tourette Syndrome - An Overview; Signs and Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome; Demographics of Tourette Syndrome; Causes of Tourette Syndrome; Medical Treatments; Psychosocial and Behavioral Therapy for Tourette Syndrome; Psychiatric Disorders Commonly Associated with Tourette Syndrome; and, Coping Strategies for Tourette Syndrome Patients....

Ongoing pharmaceutical research has provided an almost endless variety of prescription pain relievers available today for those who suffer from severe of chronic pain. Learn more about the benefits and potential hazards of these drugs....