The ideal text for students new to pharmacology based on the latest research and newest formulations.

Julien’s Primer of Drug Action continues to evolve side by side with the field it covers providing a thoroughly up to date look at psychotherapeutic and recreational drugs, including the latest research and the newest formulations. It introduces important concepts to build a strong foundation for students and then applies them to the most common recreational and psychotherapeutic drugs. Written in a sophisticated but accessible style this makes the ideal text for students new to pharmacology.

PART 1: Introduction to Psychopharmacology: The Biological Basis of Drug Action

Chapter 1: Pharmacokinetics: How the Body Handles Drugs

Chapter 2: Brain, Neurons, Synaptic Transmission, and Neurotransmitters

Chapter 3: Pharmacodynamics: How Drugs Act

PART 2: Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse

Chapter 4: Addiction: Terminology, Epidemiology, Neurobiology, and Pharmacology

Chapter 5: Ethyl Alcohol and the Inhalants of Abuse

Chapter 6: Caffeine and Nicotine

Chapter 7: Psychostimulants: Cocaine, Amphetamines, and Nonamphetamines

Chapter 8: Psychedelic Drugs

Chapter 9: Cannabis

Chapter 10: Opioids

PART 3: Psychotherapeutic Drugs

Chapter 11: Antipsychotic Drugs

Chapter 12: Antidepressant Drugs

Chapter 13: Anxiolytics, Sedative Hypnotics, Anesthetics, and Anticonvulsants

Chapter 14: Drugs Used to Treat Bipolar Disorder

PART 4: Special Populations

Chapter 15: Pregnancy and Psychotropic Drugs

Chapter 16: Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology

Chapter 17: Geriatric Psychopharmacology

Chapter 18: Challenging Times for Mental Health