This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice.

A Brief History of Drugs explores the complex, often controversial relationship between humans and mind-altering substances throughout the ages. From ancient rituals involving sacred plants to the global rise of pharmaceuticals and the war on drugs, this concise yet compelling book traces how drugs have shaped cultures, economies, and belief systems across time.

Balanced and informative, A Brief History of Drugs examines both the healing and the harm, the legal and the illicit, offering readers a clear-eyed look at how societies have used, abused, and regulated substances—from opium and cocaine to LSD and cannabis. Whether you're interested in medicine, history, or social policy, this book is an essential primer on one of humanity's oldest and most enduring fascinations.