Good intro to pharmacology books.

[trptamene]

I was wondering if anyone could reccomend some? I would like to learn more about this. I have a year of intro bio background but thats about it.

[jazzmetalguitar]

Friends up north tell me this book is as good as it gets (but probably a headache):

http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Dru.../dp/0443086761

Some hunting brought this one up, looks comprehensive yet introductory (perhaps skim some reviews):

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Clinical..._sim_b_title_3

Thats what SWIM could dig up; he is switching his major to medchem/pharmacology soon, so perhaps he will know better in a few months?

[Laudaphun]

A book I have found to be a terrific starting point for unbiased information relating to psycho-pharmacology is called "The Chemistry of Mind-Altering Drugs: History, Pharmacology, and Cultural Context" It was published by the American Chemical Society. I'm not sure if there are any more recent editions of the book, but the edition I have was published in the mid 90's. It's only about 500 pages, but it's terrific for someone looking for a place to start. It's title can be a bit misleading as it is not really a chemistry book at all.

While some people who have lots of education, degrees, experience, etc in the field of pharmacology might find it a bit simplistic, it was the first book I found in the college library that served as a straight up honest reference/textbook on psychoactive substances. In 1996 when it was published, it was definitely cutting edge information. This is a book I'd recommend you definitely pick up a copy of.

On a side note, SWIM decided after reviewing the 2 above books to purchase "Basic and Clincal Pharmacology" just now. SWIM just ordered it right before typing up this post.

[Shampoo]

A Primer Of Drug Action: A Comprehensive Guide To The Actions, Uses, And Side Effects Of Psychoactive Drugs by Robert M. Julien is a great introductory text for someone with a brief or minimal background in neuroscience or neurobiology. It would be helpful to enter the text with a basic understanding of actions potentials and the general forms of communication that the brain undergoes in its quest for functionality. The text itself is an accessible dialogue rife with applicable metaphors and reasonably complex, understandable information. THC is commonly used throughout the book as an example in various sections, as well as many of the NT-resembling amines.

[Laudaphun]

Originally Posted by jazzmetalguitar

Friends up north tell me this book is as good as it gets (but probably a headache):

http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Dru.../dp/0443086761

Some hunting brought this one up, looks comprehensive yet introductory (perhaps skim some reviews):

http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Clinical..._sim_b_title_3

Thats what SWIM could dig up; he is switching his major to medchem/pharmacology soon, so perhaps he will know better in a few months?

SWIM just recieved "Basic and Clinical Pharmacology" 10e yesterday. She hasn't had time to really sit down and spend much time reading it, but it looks like a pretty solid book. Another book SWIM also recieved was "Pharmacology" 3e Howland/Mycek which looks like a toned down version and much more basic version of the above book. Right now SWIM has 468 things to do, but will write up book reports on these after she has some time to review them.

That first book you mentioned looked very good, but a little over SWIM's affordability atm.

[kareena]

'Pharmacology' by Rang, Dale, Ritter and Moore has been one of the benchmarks. Enormous though and maybe not a good starting point!

'Pharmacology Condensened' by Dale and Haylett is designed to condense the Rang edition and may be a useful starting point. I like it.

EDIT: I feel I must edit- even 'P-C' makes use of terms that may be too hard to comprehend w/o a reasonable knowledge of chem. I have found myself struggling, still a great book, nonetheless.

[Laudaphun]

Originally Posted by Shampoo

A Primer Of Drug Action: A Comprehensive Guide To The Actions, Uses, And Side Effects Of Psychoactive Drugs by Robert M. Julien is a great introductory text for someone with a brief or minimal background in neuroscience or neurobiology. It would be helpful to enter the text with a basic understanding of actions potentials and the general forms of communication that the brain undergoes in its quest for functionality. The text itself is an accessible dialogue rife with applicable metaphors and reasonably complex, understandable information. THC is commonly used throughout the book as an example in various sections, as well as many of the NT-resembling amines.

SWIM purchased this book and is quite pleased. SWIM was even more pleased to discover that the psychopharmacology class taught at the university SWIM attends used to use this actual text as the textbook. SWIM spoke with the professor and who recommended that particular book as well, although he did mention that he had to change textbooks as it was a little bit over the heads of many students who were not quite as interested in the subject of some SWIM's and SWIY's out there. Overall, after perchasing the text by your recomenndation, SWIM is quite pleased.

On another note. A Much smaller and less informative text that SWIM would NOT recommend is "From Chocolate to Morphine"... Within 5 minutes of browsing the book after first receiving it in the mail, SWIM found very obvious false information. The really sad part is that it was published by Hougton Mifflin, a fairly major textbook company. SWIM hasn't bother to pick it up again since finding false information in the book almost immediately.

[Shampoo]

Glad you enjoyed. That book is truly a wealth of useful information and reasonably well-communicated heuristics.