Leslie Iversen (1937–2020)

Author of Drugs: A Very Short Introduction

About the Author

Leslie Iversen, PhD is a retired pharmacologist, known for his work psycho-pharmacology, especially on drugs acting on monoamine uptake mechanisms in the central nervous system. He has advised the UK House of Lords, and the British Government on drug issues. He has worked in Cambridge and Oxford show more Universities, and in the Salk Institute in California. show less

Includes the names: Les Iversen, Leslie Iversen, Leslie L. Iversen, Leslie L. Iversen PhD, Professor Leslie Iversen

Works by Leslie Iversen

Popular Recent

Drugs: A Very Short Introduction (2001) 114 copies, 1 review

The Science of Marijuana (2000) 47 copies

Introduction to Neuropsychopharmacology (2009) 16 copies

Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: The Science of Amphetamines (2006) 14 copies, 1 review

Dopamine Handbook (2009) 7 copies

Biogenic amine receptors (1975) 4 copies

Biology of mood and antianxiety drugs (1978) 4 copies

Stimulants (2012) 3 copies

Amino acid neurotransmitters (2013) 3 copies

Biochemical studies of CNS receptors (2013) 3 copies

Drugs, neurotransmitters, and behavior. Volume 8 (2013) 3 copies

Handbook of psychopharmacology. Volume 2, Principles of receptor research (2012) 3 copies

Synaptic modulators (2012) 3 copies

Handbook of Psychopharmacology: Volume 15: New Techniques in Psychopharmacology (1982) 2 copies

Biochemical Studies of CNS Receptors (Handbook of Psychopharmacology) (2012) 2 copies

Drogas - Serie Encyclopaedia (2012) 2 copies

The Science of Marijuana, 2nd edition (The Science of Marijuana, 2nd edition) 1 copy

Fast and slow chemical signalling in the nervous system (1986) 1 copy

Handbook of Psychopharmacology: Volume 13 Biology of Mood and Antianxiety Drugs 1 copy

Farmaci e sostanze (2007) 1 copy

Neuropeptides (2012) 1 copy

Neuroleptics and schizophrenia (2012) 1 copy

New techniques in psychopharmacology (2012) 1 copy

Principles of behavioral pharmacology (2012) 1 copy

Handbook of Psychopharmacology: Volume 20: Psychopharmacology of the Aging System (Physics of Atoms and Molecules) (1988) 1 copy

Biochemistry of Biogenic Amines (Handbook of Psychopharmacology) (1975) 1 copy

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Common Knowledge

Legal name: Iversen, Leslie Lars
Birthdate: 1937-10-31
Date of death: 2020-07-30
Gender: male
Education: Hele's School, Exeter
Trinity College, Cambridge (BA|Biochemistry)
University of Cambridge (PhD|Pharmacology)
National Institute of Health, US (research fellowship)
Harvard Medical School
Occupations: pharmacologist
research scientist
laboratory director
journal editor
professor
Organizations: Royal Navy
Cambridge University, MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit (director)
Journal of Neurochemistry (co-chief editor)
Merck, Sharp and Dohme - Merck Neuroscience Research Centre (exec. director)
University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology
King's College, London - Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases
Awards and honors: Royal Society (Fellow, 1980)
American Academy of Arts and Sciences (honorary member, 1981)
Royal College of Psychiatrists (assoc. member, 1986)
United States National Academy of Sciences (foreign assoc. member, 1986)
British Pharmacological Society (honorary fellow, 2009)
Order of the British Empire (Commander, 2013)
Relationships: Iversen, Susan D (widow)
Nationality: UK
Birthplace: Exeter, Devon, England, UK
Associated Place (for map): England, UK

Members

Reviews

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2 reviews

Robertgreaves 2,399 reviews

Drugs: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) by Leslie Iversen

The book covers both medicinal and recreational drugs. The second chapter on the biochemical mechanisms behind how drugs actually work was heavy going, but the book as a whole was interesting and informative, though I don't know how much I will remember.

Jan 26, 2023

Michael_Burnam-Fink 1,748 reviews

Speed, Ecstasy, Ritalin: The Science of Amphetamines by Leslie Iversen

A solid, well-research, and very readable review of the history of amphetamines from a pharmacological perspective. Iverson covers their differences in structure and mechanisms of action, before delving into their use as diet drugs, anti-depressants, for ADHD, enhancement in sport, and illegal activity. Each of the chapters is rather light, a summary of a complex topic rather than the final word, but there are plenty of references to primary sources for the scholar who wants to go deeper.

Apr 17, 2026