Drugs without the hot air: Making Sense of Legal and Illegal Drugs

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It even mentions some studies that are related to LSD and the ability to increase creativity (and mentions anecdotes from Steve Jobs to Francis Crick). That said, given his clear expertise, and the fact that the book is grounded in scientific fact, rather than "moral outrage" and media campaigns, I can think of worse people to be influenced by! Whether or not you agree with the policy suggestions he has, the information on various drugs and how drugs interact with the human body is valuable, and he clearly separates his opinions on policy from the facts on drugs. I'll proceed with a chapter by chapter breakdown (grouping similar ones together) to shine some further light.

If I asked you whether you think bungee jumping was a good idea or not, you would want to know how often harm or death befalls someone who does it. The book is highly recommended for everyone, particularly parents who are worried how their children may be affected by drugs. Confusingly the US Schedules don’t always match with those in the UN Conventions, and in the US penalties are specific to each drug rather than determined by the drug’s Schedule.Having read ‘Drugs Without the Hot Air’, I now realise that I owe those two drunk guys a (partial) apology! I live in a restrictive third-world country, so the concept of a book that portrays drugs objectively instantly caught my eye. One cup of double-shot coffee will keep me awake, alert, and wired for at least 18 hours, even after inadequate sleep, whether I like it or not.

The UK introduced the Psychoactive Substances Act in 2016, which makes all substances that affect the brain illegal – unless they are alcohol, tobacco or caffeine. Our conclusion was that, although there probably was a causal link between smoking cannabis and some cases of schizophrenia, this link was weak and didn’t justify moving the drug up to the next Class.Nutt devotes a chapter to each of the major classes of drugs, and weighs the possible benefits of each drug against its risks.