Chemically Modified Minds

This innovative edited collection brings together leading international academics to explorethe use of various non-prescription and prescription substances. From a psychosocial perspective,the authors discuss the complex reasons behind their adoption, the ways in which they aremisused, and links between use and cognitive enhancement. While studies on substance use todate have examined the aetiology and effects in the context of sporting performance, addictionand recreational use, there has been little work which explores their wider misuse to improvecognitive enhancement. With medical sociology and social psychology at its core, this important volume shows thecomplex reasons behind the misuse of various substances, how these are connected tocontemporary desire for increased mental performance, and why the potential health risksand possibly harmful side effects do not act as deterrents.