Handbook on Opium

Handbook of Opium: History and Basis of Opioids in Therapeutics traces the history of poppy from its prehistory, its use in Greek and Egyptian medicine through the European Renaissance, and the opioid epidemic of the present day. The book explores the discovery of morphine and its alkaloids, reviews its biosynthetic process, and covers the evolution of synthetic opioids. Further, it reviews the biological effects of opium and the molecular basis of its actions, including future perspectives in clinical applications with therapeutic targets. The book is interspersed with numerous notes on the events and great minds in history and medicine who advocated, analyzed and advanced opium through history.

The book is a comprehensive review on opium, covering a breadth of topics, including its history, botany, chemistry, trade, physiology, clinical use and molecular biology, with numerous references, tables, vignettes and illustrations included for additional understanding.

"This book presents the history of opioids...starting with its botanical aspects, its discovery, its uses, and its problems. The authors are extremely balanced in their approach, presenting both positive and negative aspects of opioids....The book highlights the number of individuals who served in foreign wars and returned addicted to opioids and features historical aspects throughout the book [as] hidden gems....It provides the history of opioids across the first nine chapters, focusing on non-scientific aspects of opioids. Chapters 10-15 focus on the basic and clinical science of opioids, offering balanced information....The final chapter discusses the advances and prospects, which prepares readers for the future directions of these medications....The figures are liberal in each chapter and provide information that supplements the chapter....The book is an interesting read with useful information and [gives] a comprehensive historical and clinical discussion of opioids."—Robert R. Gaiser, MD(Yale School of Medicine)