On Speed: From Benzedrine to Adderall

This thoroughly researched and very well written book is the history of the amphetamine class of drugs that were first created in the early part of the 20th century and are still causing problems for society for today. In addition to the history of the drug, there is an allegorical story running parallel to the drug that is a detailed and scary look at practices in the pharmaceutical industry then and now.Amphetamine, as a class of drugs, was first discovered by Gordon Alles in 1929 while he was doing research on adrenaline substitutes. Although he was not the first to actually identify the molecule, he was the first to precipitate the salt form and identify it as a potential drug. Eventually he sold the rights to the drug to the Smith Kline French Co. in Philadelphia and the hunt was on to find a use for the new drug, as it was a drug looking for a home.The story follows the hunt to find a use for the new compound and the efforts by the company to get doctors to experiment with "creative" uses for the compound. The one thing the drug appeared to do well was to make people feel happy and empowered. Other than that, it had little use but the company worked around that problem by getting the military to issue speed to soldiers during World War II as a way of keeping them sharp.The book follows these uses, as well as the use of the inhaler version for recreational drug use and deals, in detail, with the many times the drug could have been put out to pasture only to be rescued by the company that was making so much money from it.It is still prescribed today, even given what is known about the addictive properties of the drug. And, of course, illegal drug manufactures discovered numerous ways to make it cheaply from legal products, ensuring that it lives on to today.While I would not recommend this book as a light read, it is certainly a detailed and fascinating look at a drug the public had no real use for and was sold on anyway. It is well written and very readable for those with an interest in the pharmaceutical industry or for a history of the drug itself.

On Speed is a comprehensive, if sometimes problematic history of amphetamines. Rasmussen does yoeman's work, tracing the history of amphetamines from a minor decongestant in the 1930s, to a military enhancement medicine in the 1940s, to widespread prescription as an antidepressant and diet drug in the 50s, it's role in the Beat and Hippie subcultures, and eventual prohibition in the 1970s after a series of 'speed kills' campaigns. Rasmussen's historical record of people, discoveries, new usages for old substances, drug production and legislative events is a great source for anybody working on related problems. The section on military use of amphetamines in WW2, and the way that speed hollowed out Haight-Ashbury were particularly interesting.Unfortunately, he is on less solid ground when talking about the social effects of amphetamines, particularly the recent (1990 onwards) explosion of illegal methamphetamine and the exponential increase in ADHD diagnoses. Rasmussen takes the standpoint that the psychological effects of amphetamines are mostly an increase in self-confidence, well-being, and energy, and that addiction and psychosis is a nearly inevitable result of exposure to amphetamines. This is a common opinion, and not necessarily wrong, but a more reflexive examination of the topic might postulate the reality of both benefits and harms, instead of a knee-jerk pharmacological puritanism. Similarly, the 'scientific idea' of amphetamine, in terms of its functioning, gets short shrift, being described mostly in the economic terms of drug development.On the whole, however, this is an invaluable and well-researched historical book. My political disagreements with Rasmussen cannot detract from his scholarly accomplishments.

The book's subtitle is "The Many Lives of Amphetamine" but I believe the above would be more appropriate. Early on, the author addresses the question - why use Speed as a vehicle for a history of the Pharmaceutical industry? It is because Speed was the first 'Blockbuster' selling drug that gave the public the enduring fantasy that drugs can solve all your problems - from boredom with everyday life to obesity, and more recently with failure to pay attention. All this from what is at heart a marketing organization with lots of lawyers. They perfected the art of making pills fifteen-for-a-penny and retailing them for dollars apiece.I especially recommend the chapter on World War II - how all major combatants used the drugs and how their usage evolved during the war. The US continued using speed after its negative effects became apparent because of its positive effect on morale - it significantly reduced the number of troops who left the front due to 'battle fatigue.'And the section on the NFL is highly enlightening, providing information that came to light during the discovery process in several players' lawsuit about being ordered to take speed on game days. Team doctors gave out three dosage ranges depending on each player's position. The reasons for the three ranges makes a great metaphor because the public is so familiar with football that it is easy to understand the different effects and why different doses would be desirable for Offensive Linemen versus Wide Receivers.

a detailed and extraordinary narrative about "Uppers"

This is a truly brilliant book; giving a thorough account and history of Amhetimines.Thanks Nicolas Rasmussen!

Un trabajo muy útil para cualquiera que desee conocer en profundidad qué son los estimulantes de tipo anfetamínico (anfetamina, metanfetamina, metilfenidato, MDMA, etc.). Un análisis exhaustivo de las diferentes vidas que estas drogas han ido teniendo a lo largo de las décadas, y de la interpretación que a sus efectos se le ha ido dando en virtud de las necesidades e intereses de las sociedades de cada época. Un libro cargado de matices de gran relevancia, que ayudan a entender mejor la estrecha relación que todavía existe entre el hombre y las drogas estimulantes.

Good book about the history of amphetamine