The Drug Science Podcast

Dec 04 2024 121 ep. 47 mins 2.1k
The Drug Science Podcast artwork

Professor David Nutt has spent a career making the argument for a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. The scientific evidence still challenges perceived wisdom on drugs and for that reason can appear to be contentious. In this podcast, the Professor explores the actual harms and potential benefits of various drugs, challenging myths surrounding classification and legislation, and exploring the societal impact of poorly informed drug policy. Using evidence in public policy should not be controversial. A podcast for anyone interested in understanding the scientific truth about drugs, free from political or moral concern.

  Society & Culture  Science
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118. Psychotherapy with Andrew Feldmár

Dec 04 2024 45 mins  
In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, we hear from Andrew Feldmár, a psychotherapist with over 52 years of experience. He discusses his journey into psychotherapy, his departure from mainstream psychiatric and therapeutic practices rooted in the concept of mental illness, and his experiences with LSD. Feldmár also critiques various techniques used in contemporary psychedel

117. Drugs and Music with Jon Hopkins

Nov 20 2024 52 mins  
In this episode, Prof Neil and Dr Thurgur speak with electronic musician Jon Hopkins. Together, they explore the intersection of music, mental health, and psychedelics. Jon shares his personal journey, from his early love of music to his experiments with electronic sounds as well as discussing how experiences with meditation and psychedelics have profoundly influenced his music, sh

116. Reducing drug harms in the UK with Dr Gillian Shorter and Prof Alex Stevens

Nov 06 2024 54 mins  
In this episode, Prof Nutt meets with Prof Alex Stevens, researcher in drug policy, treatment and harm reduction and Gillian Shorter, a researcher into the health and wellbeing of people who use alcohol and drugs. In this episode they discuss harm reduction strategies in the UK. They delve into the root causes of the stigma surrounding substance use disorders and explore the effect

115. Six years of medical cannabis in the UK with Dr Leon Barron, Dr Callie Seaman and Michael Sassano

Oct 23 2024 46 mins  
What is the UK medical cannabis industry looking like in 2024?We are 6 years on from legalisation of cannabis-based medical products in the UK and although many patients have now been able to access these products, many others are still struggling to get access. In this episode of the Drug Science podcast, Prof. David Nutt is joined by three leading experts in cannabis science and

114. Chemsex with Darren Murphy

Oct 09 2024 52 mins  
In this episode, we meet with Darren Murphy, a Chemsex Specialist Practitioner at Forward Leeds, to discuss chemsex, addiction, as well as addressing the link with the LGBTQ+ community. Darren shares his personal journey, navigating the challenges of drug addiction and everything which came with it. Realising the limited support available for people engaging in chemsex, Darren shar

113. Psychiatrists and Curanderos with Dr Simon Ruffell

Sep 25 2024 63 mins  
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist and ayahuasca researcher with extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin. He discusses the potential of Indigenous medicines to complement Western psychiatric care and reduce relapse rates. Dr. Ruffell compares Western and Indigenous approaches to using spiritual plants, addressin

112. Parties, drugs and young people with Dr Karenza Moore

Sep 10 2024 61 mins  
In this episode, we meet with Dr Karenza Moore as she discusses changes in drug trends in the UK, focusing on the motivations, risks, and patterns of drug use, particularly among young people. Karenza identifies trends in drug use, including the impact of the lockdown on substance abuse. She also examines various drug trends within dance music culture, which leads to a discussion o

111. OCD and Psychedelics with Rose Cartwright

Aug 28 2024 44 mins  
In this episode, Prof Nutt meets with Rose Cartwright as she discusses the impact of psychedelics on her Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). She reflects on some of the common misconceptions around OCD as well as the impact diagnosis and traditional treatment had on her life. Throughout the episode, she reflects on her own psychedelic experiences, mistakes made along the way and t

110. Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World with Satya

Aug 14 2024 49 mins  
In this episode, we meet with Satya, a consciousness activist, who has been entirely dedicated to the expansion and evolution of human consciousness for 15 years. Throughout this time, she has facilitated retreats for over 63,000 people around the world, with profound processes of transformation. Satya is the founder of Working With Satya and of the Awareness Facilitator School, th

109. Prisons and Drugs with Prof Karen Duke and Prof Susanne MacGregor

Jul 31 2024 54 mins  
In this episode, we meet with Prof Susanne MacGregor and Prof Karen Duke to explore the issues surrounding drug use in prisons. They discuss the ways vulnerable inmates can be targeted by gangs, as well as how various aspects of the prison environment can increase the potential harms of psychoactive substances. The risk matrix: Drug-related deaths in prisons in England and Wales, 2