◎ contents 1. Introduction 2. Neurotransmission 3. Principles of drug action 4. Classification 5. Variability in response to drugs 6. New drugs : development, testing, and promotion 7. Pharmacological dangers and benifits of psychoactive drugs 8. Effects of drugs on the embryo, fetus, and developing young 9. The question of legalization 10. Users and abuse of drugs 11. Prevention of drug abuse : a short and depressing chapter 12. Treatment of drug abuse 13. Psychopharmacotherapy : methoodlogical issues 14. Psychopharmacotherapy 15. Memory 16. Creativity 17. Sexual behavior 18. Aggression and violence 19. Sleep