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Memoirs of an Addicted Brain: A Neuroscientist Examines his Former Life on Drugs by Marc Lewis - 4* - My Review

Unusual combination of memoir and brain science. The memoir tells Marc Lewis’s personal story of addiction, which began in boarding school and continued in college in the Berkeley drug scene of the 1960s. The ambiance of the 1960s counterculture is vividly depicted. He also describes his drug-related experiences in Malaysia, India, and Canada. His drug usage results in his arrest for theft and, eventually, in recovery. What makes this memoir unusual is that it is interspersed with a description of what is occurring inside his brain when he ingests these substances. Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist. He articulates the biological and chemical processes underlying addiction.

I found this book fascinating. It describes the biological interactions in the brain, such as the functions of orbitofrontal cortex, ventral striatum, dopamine receptors, glutamates, and the like. He explains the natural opioids that occur in our bodies, and how a lack of these, which are triggered by a variety of sociological and interpersonal factors, may lead to addiction.

I learned a great deal from this book. The memoir portion is absorbing. I think it could have included a bit more about his recovery. The science is informative. I enjoy reading widely in the fields of psychology, brain science, and addiction, and very much enjoyed this one.

I've never heard of this book before, but it sounds fascinating. I will add it to the list!

Meli wrote: "I've never heard of this book before, but it sounds fascinating. I will add it to the list!"
Yes, it's really different than most memoirs.