The Drug Science Podcast

Drug Science

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.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    127. Psychedelic Therapy in the UK with Dr Laurie Higbed and Dr Owain Winfield

    Join us in the latest episode of the Drug Science Podcast where David Nutt meets with Psychedelic psychotherapy experts Laurie Higbed and Owain Winfield to dive into how to use psychedelics in psychotherapy. In this episode, they discuss the different techniques used with different psychedelics for different conditions to optimise this type of therapy and why these differences are necessary. They discuss MDMA, Ketamine and Psilocybin in a range of applications including trauma and addictions. MDMA Ketamine Psilocybin Substance Misuse PTSD MAPS MDMA study into Substance Use Disorder Compass Pathways Compass Pathways Psilocybin for Treatment Resistant Depression Awakn life sciences Amygdala Link in show notes ★ Support this podcast ★

    45 min

  2. 26 MAR

    126. The body keeps the score with Dr Bessel van der Kolk

    In this episode, we meet with Bessel van Der kolk, a trauma based psychiatrist, author, researcher and educator. Since the 1970s his research has been in the area of post-traumatic stress and he is the author of four books including best seller “the body keeps score”. Within this episode, he dives into what trauma is and different research into the impact trauma can have on the body and brain. He further discusses various traditional and alternative treatments for trauma and where these may be appropriate for different people with specific emphasis on EMDR and MDMA.       The body keeps score  Nutt's paper lancet psychiatry 50 years of failure  MDMA  SSRI EMDR  Gaba Benzodiazepines Rorschach test Norepinephrine  Bowlby  MAPS When the spirit catches you, you fall down Neuroplasticity  ★ Support this podcast ★

    42 min
  3. 125. The 5-HT hypothesis of depression with Prof Philip Cowen and Dr Sameer Jauhar

    12 MAR

    125. The 5-HT hypothesis of depression with Prof Philip Cowen and Dr Sameer Jauhar

    In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, David Nutt meets with psychopharmacologist Phil Cowen and Psychiatrist Sameer Jauhar  to discuss the neuroscience behind and treatments for depression. Within the episode they touch on various neurotransmitters involved in depression as well as research studies into each of their impact, stigma around antidepressants and the role of psychedelics in treatment.     Depression Serotonin Tryptophan Hamilton depression scale Antidepressants Geddes paper on preventing relapse Support the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

    33 min
  4. 124. The power of Medicine with Josh Dugdale

    26 FEB

    124. The power of Medicine with Josh Dugdale

    In this episode of the Drug Science podcast, we speak with Josh Dugdale of the Wasing Estate, described as a "mindful aristocrat." He shares his experiences with Ayahuasca in the Amazon and how they influenced his journey upon returning to the UK. Josh discusses the creation of a mindful and spiritual festival during the pandemic, its evolution over time, and its wider impact. He also explores the challenges surrounding psilocybin access rights, the changes needed in this area, and what the future of psychedelic reform might look like. Medicine Festival  Psilocybin Access Rights Ayahuasca Psilocybin MDMA Drug Science Reschedule Psilocybin Medical Cannabis PTSD Veterans  PTSD Industrial Hemp Licensing DEFRA Subscribe to podcast   ★ Support this podcast ★

    53 min
  5. 123. Memory, Movies and Psychedelics with Prof Ravi Das

    11 FEB

    123. Memory, Movies and Psychedelics with Prof Ravi Das

    Prof Ravi Das is a leading expert in psychopharmacology and cognitive neuroscience, with a career dedicated to understanding and developing innovative treatments for addiction and anxiety disorders. He completed his BSc in Psychology and MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London (UCL), followed by a PhD in Psychopharmacology at the UCL Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit.   Prof Das’s research takes a translational and experimental medicine approach, focusing on the mechanisms of memory plasticity and their role in the development of addictive and anxiety disorders. A key area of his work is memory reconsolidation—the process by which established memories become temporarily unstable when retrieved, creating an opportunity to modify maladaptive memories. By targeting these unstable memories, Prof Das explores how drug or behavioral interventions could potentially disrupt the cravings and relapse associated with addiction, the fear underlying anxiety disorders, or the flashbacks experienced in PTSD.   In addition to his work on memory reconsolidation, Prof Das is deeply interested in the phenomenology and effects of illicit drug use, as well as the role of cognitive and mindfulness-based strategies in treating substance use disorders. His research bridges the gap between scientific discovery and clinical application, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective, evidence-based treatments for mental health challenges.   Prof Celia Morgan Prof Val Curran Prof Sunjeev Kamboj Memory Research and consolidation  Biggest DMT study Placebos in psychedelic clinical trials  Prof Mitul Mehta Psychedelic gold rush  RFK Jr pro-psychedelics  FDA reject Lykos decision  UNITy screening form  Wellcome Leap LSD study  Preparation for Psilocybin study UNITy ★ Support this podcast ★

    56 min
  6. 122. Street Drugs Discussions with Prof Chris Chandler and Dr James Morgan

    29 JAN

    122. Street Drugs Discussions with Prof Chris Chandler and Dr James Morgan

    Tune in to the latest episode of the drug science podcast where we meet with Dr James Morgan, Prof Chris Chandler and Prof Jo Neill, the founders of Street Drugs Discussions (SDD). They discuss the process which led to them founding SDD, a series of webinars featuring experts on drug policy and drugs featuring topics surrounding overdose prevention centres, trafficking, specific substances and more. They reflect on the journey which got them to their current position as well as future hopes for SDD. Further, in this episode, the speakers discuss specific research conducted into long term heroin use and learning theory of addiction.     Street Drugs DiscussionsBuvidal  Wedinos Barod psycare Diamorphine assisted treatment Leap Neil Woods Episode Needle exchange Trainspotting Heroin Crack cocaine Nicotine Alcohol  MDMA morphine Drug Science Community Member ★ Support this podcast ★

    55 min
  7. 121. What is Naturalistic Research? with Dr Matthew X. Lowe

    15 JAN

    121. What is Naturalistic Research? with Dr Matthew X. Lowe

    A conversation between Prof David Nutt and research scientist Dr Matthew X. Lowe. Dr Matthew X. Lowe PhD is Director of Research for Realm of Caring and Executive Director for Unlimited Sciences, a not-for-profit, observational research organisation with a focus on cannabis and psychedelic use by underrepresented population groups and a toll-free info line providing evidence-based support for anyone using psychedelics. In this episode, they discuss the vital role of observational and longitudinal research when it comes to the medicalisation of cannabis and psychedelics — and the importance for safetyof bringing real-world data into our collective knowledge base. They start with the genesis of Realm of Caring and Unlimited Sciences. Both organisations were conceived following first-hand experience of the banned compounds they research being profoundly medically transformative — inspiring co-founder Heather Jackson to grow related research and make it freely available to all who stand to benefit from such education. The origin stories of the organisations are followed by Dr Lowe’s personal route to his current research role and the roots of his passion for pursuing psychedelic research questions. Their focus then shifts to the present day with a comparison of roadblocks and red tape around researching cannabis and psychedelics in the UK and the US, noting the pioneering role that parents so often play in advocating for research into medicinal cannabis. Next comes a deeper exploration of specific properties of psychedelics that relate to their potential therapeutic applications, including their anti-addictive nature and positive habit-forming potential resulting from the neuroplastic window they potentiate — Unlimited Sciences has conducted the world’s largest naturalistic study on psilocybin use with further papers coming out on these implications. For the remainder of the episode, Prof David Nutt and Dr Matthew Lowe go into specifics on several key projects from Realm of Caring and Unlimited Sciences, including: -       The Realm of Caring Observational Research Registry, being done in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Cannabis Science Laboratory. This ongoing research is an IRB-approved online survey study looking at the effects on a variety of health conditions, in people who do and do not use cannabis. It is open to everyone in the world with internet access.   -       The Cannabis and Health Research Initiative (CHRI), another collaboration between Johns Hopkins and Realm of Caring, examining the patient-level impact of therapeutic cannabis use, through data collection and dissemination — aiming to aid clinical decision making and policymaking.  And finally, two ceremonial research projects looking at ayahuasca, foregrounding the role of community and context in ceremonial psychedelic experiences — both exemplifying Unlimited Sciences’ diversification of the evidence base on psychedelics by collecting real world data on underrepresented population groups:  -       With subjects who were Arabic-speaking women, a study exploring the psychological benefits of ayahuasca for refugees — with DrugScience collaborator Dr Robin Carhart-Harris.   -       And, currently in data analysis, with first results set to release in 2025, an IRB-approved study about ayahuasca use in the LGBTQIA+ community in collaboration with Costa Rica plant medicine retreat Jungle Gayborhood, with an emphasis on the importance of set and setting being truly safe spaces in the sense of meeting the specific needs of participants involved.  Find out more about Dr Matthew X. Lowe and Unlimited Sciences below!  Dr Matthew X. Lowe  Realm of Caring Unlimited Sciences  The Psychedelic Info Line Charlotte’s Web, Charlotte Figi and Realm of Caring Realm of Caring’s research library Long-term CBD study (Realm of Caring) Observational Research Registry (Realm of Caring) World’s largest naturalistic study on psilocybin use (Unlimited Sciences) Psychological benefits of ayahuasca for refugees (Unlimited Sciences) Jungle Gayborhood The LGBTQIA+ study  ★ Support this podcast ★

    53 min
  8. 120. Ask David Anything

    1 JAN

    120. Ask David Anything

    Tune in to the latest episode of the drug science podcast where Prof Nutt meets with several Drug Science Community members for a session of “Ask David Anything”. Together, they explore questions such as the use of cannabis as a psychoactive substance in psychedelic therapy and the latest developments in regulatory decisions on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.      Cannabis THC CBD MDMA Psilocybin Ketamine Oxford Ketamine Clinic Mike Jay Psychonaughts book Breathwork Psychedelic Cannabis book Daniel Mcqueen Treatment resistant depression PTSD Maps ★ Support this podcast ★

    45 min
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    4.9
    out of 5
    206 Ratings

    About

    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.

    Information

    • Creator
      Drug Science
    • Years Active
      2019 - 2025
    • Episodes
      130
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Drug Science
    • Show Website
      The Drug Science Podcast

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