Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science
What led scientists to have acrobats copulate inside an MRI machine? Why do wordless patterns of sound send shivers down our spines and tickle ancient parts of our brains? How did a chemist's quest to create a drug to ease the pain of childbirth result in the creation of LSD? And did it change our understanding of the brain forever?
From tortoiseshell condoms to superstar athletes on hallucinogens, science writer Zoe Cormier dissects these and other burning questions, amplifying them with insights from some of the world's bravest, cleverest, and downright weirdest scientists.
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll explores science at the edge, where scientists ask big, strange questions -- and sometimes experiment on themselves to find answers. It shines a light into the lesser-known corners of scientific research to gain insight into the nature of consciousness, happiness, and humanity. Not to mention our parties.
Here are stories of unconventional scientists, innovative inquiries, hedonistic impulses -- and how the renegades of science have illuminated the secrets of our baser impulses.
1120409976
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science
What led scientists to have acrobats copulate inside an MRI machine? Why do wordless patterns of sound send shivers down our spines and tickle ancient parts of our brains? How did a chemist's quest to create a drug to ease the pain of childbirth result in the creation of LSD? And did it change our understanding of the brain forever?
From tortoiseshell condoms to superstar athletes on hallucinogens, science writer Zoe Cormier dissects these and other burning questions, amplifying them with insights from some of the world's bravest, cleverest, and downright weirdest scientists.
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll explores science at the edge, where scientists ask big, strange questions -- and sometimes experiment on themselves to find answers. It shines a light into the lesser-known corners of scientific research to gain insight into the nature of consciousness, happiness, and humanity. Not to mention our parties.
Here are stories of unconventional scientists, innovative inquiries, hedonistic impulses -- and how the renegades of science have illuminated the secrets of our baser impulses.
17.99 In Stock
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science

by Zoe Cormier
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll: The Science of Hedonism and the Hedonism of Science

by Zoe Cormier

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$17.99 

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Overview

What led scientists to have acrobats copulate inside an MRI machine? Why do wordless patterns of sound send shivers down our spines and tickle ancient parts of our brains? How did a chemist's quest to create a drug to ease the pain of childbirth result in the creation of LSD? And did it change our understanding of the brain forever?
From tortoiseshell condoms to superstar athletes on hallucinogens, science writer Zoe Cormier dissects these and other burning questions, amplifying them with insights from some of the world's bravest, cleverest, and downright weirdest scientists.
Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll explores science at the edge, where scientists ask big, strange questions -- and sometimes experiment on themselves to find answers. It shines a light into the lesser-known corners of scientific research to gain insight into the nature of consciousness, happiness, and humanity. Not to mention our parties.
Here are stories of unconventional scientists, innovative inquiries, hedonistic impulses -- and how the renegades of science have illuminated the secrets of our baser impulses.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780306823947
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Publication date: 04/08/2025
Sold by: OPEN ROAD INTEGRATED - EBKS
Format: eBook
Pages: 354
File size: 7 MB

About the Author

Zoe Cormier is a freelance journalist, author, and public speaker with a background in zoology. Spawned by the music industry, she rebelled by studying science. Originally from Toronto, she now lives in London.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements xi

Foreword xiii

Introduction xv

Sex

Evolutions Climax 3

The Human Animal 9

'So Pretty and Useful a Thing' 23

Come As You Are 28

'The Tyranny of the Clitoris' 34

'Die of Shame' 37

Made to Measure 40

Of Monkey Balls and Millionaires 42

Pills and Potions 48

Chacun á Son Gout 50

Gross Indecency 52

Evolution's Rainbow 60

Inconceivable 62

Intoxicating Odours 66

Feast of Stenches 72

Just One? 76

Sperm Bombs 79

'A Cold, Dark Sea' 83

Mind-Body Dance 86

Drug

Botanical Battles 91

Animal Nature 101

'The Ideal Dreams of Wild Desire' 110

Before the Boomers 115

Of Parasites, Bicycles and Saints 125

Silence of the Science 135

Experimental Revelations 139

Renegade Research 145

Reclaim the Dream 150

Cures What Ails You 154

Addicted to Addiction 157

Drugs for Drugs 167

Surgery of the Soul 171

Shaking up a Snow Globe 176

Better Dying through Chemistry 180

Rock 'N' Roll

Intoxicating Influences 187

Substance and Character 189

Redemption and Recovery 192

Technological Transformations 195

Rock, Bone and Water 198

Immortalising Sound 208

Magnetic Music 210

Sound on Sound 212

Synthesised Sounds 213

Turn Up the Bass 216

Piscine Origins 220

Relic Bones 225

Sonic Spiral Staircase 229

Organised Sound 232

An Exquisite Illusion 234

No Music 237

'Evolutionary Parasite' 240

Synaptic Symphonies 243

Chemical Crescendos 247

Hardwired 248

Neural Nutrition 251

Medicinal Music 254

Sonic Bonds 256

Musical Monkeys 260

Duets with Nightingales 263

Insight and Inspiration 268

Conclusion 269

Further Reading 274

Notes 277

List of Illustrations 298

Index 301

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