ABSTRACT
In many cases, the effect of a medication or other chemical substance on human physiology and emotional state does not depend solely on its pharmacological properties. A number of other factors, such as personality, social or cultural backgrounds, can either enhance or reduce this effect, and are responsible for the wide variability in people’s response to medication. This chapter examines some of these non-pharmacological influences, in relation to placebos, psychotropic and narcotic drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
