The Dopaminergic Mind in Human Evolution and History by Fred H Previc (2009).pdf

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The Dopaminergic Mind in

Human Evolution and History

What does it mean to be human? There are many theories of the

evolution of human behavior which seek to explain how our brains

evolved to support our unique abilities and personalities. Most of these

have focused on the role of brain size or speciﬁc genetic adaptations of

the brain. In contrast, Fred Previc presents a provocative theory that

high levels of dopamine, the most widely studied neurotransmitter,

account for all major aspects of modern human behavior. He further

emphasizes the role of epigenetic rather than genetic factors in the rise

of dopamine. Previc contrasts the great achievements of the dopami-

nergic mind with the harmful effects of rising dopamine levels in

modern societies and concludes with a critical examination of whether

the dopaminergic mind that has evolved in humans is still adaptive to

the health of humans and to the planet in general.

Fred H. Previc is currently a science teacher at the Eleanor Kolitz

Academy in San Antonio, Texas. For over twenty years, he was a

researcher at the United States Air Force Research Laboratory where

he researched laser bioeffects, spatial disorientation in ﬂight, and

various topics in sensory psychology, physiological psychology, and

cognitive neuroscience. Dr. Previc has written numerous articles on the

origins of brain lateralization, the neuropsychology of 3-D space, the

origins of human intelligence, the neurochemical basis of performance

in extreme environments, and the neuropsychology of religion.

This book is dedicated to mati and oce (in memoriam)

and to Nancy, Andrew and Nicholas.

The Dopaminergic Mind in

Human Evolution and History

Fred H. Previc