On Speed: The Many Lives of Amphetamine

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 show more 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. show less