This text investigates the complex relationship between psychoactive substances, neurobiological mechanisms, and the resulting behavioral manifestations in humans and animal models. Authors David M. Grilly and John Salamone synthesize foundational research in behavioral pharmacology and neuroscience to explain how drugs alter brain chemistry to influence cognition, emotion, and motor function. The book provides a structured framework for understanding the physiological basis of drug action, ranging from synaptic transmission to the systemic effects of both therapeutic and recreational substances.

The text serves as a rigorous academic resource, providing a dense, evidence-based overview of the intersection between neurobiology and behavioral science. Its systematic approach makes it a standard reference for students and researchers seeking to understand the physiological mechanisms of drug-induced behavioral changes.