The Drug Science Podcast

Drug Science
  • 4.8 (51)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Biweekly

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. Sep 2

    158. The Story of Pharmacology with Prof Rod Flower

    Join Prof David Nutt and Prof Rod Flower for a captivating journey into the history of pharmacology. Rod is emeritus professor of biochemical pharmacology at Queen Mary University of London and co-author of Rang and Dale's Pharmacology, the textbook that has shaped the understanding of generations of medical and science students. His work was pivotal in advancing the knowledge of anti-inflammatory treatments, and his new book, Drugs: The Story of Pharmacology, looks back at the discoveries that built the foundations of modern medicine. He recounts how a misread job advert landed him in Sir John Vane's lab, and traces his path from smoking chymograph traces to co-founding the William Harvey Research Institute at Queen Mary. The conversation covers the ethics of self-experimentation in the early days of drug development, the lineage of plant medicines from ancient civilisations to the everyday drugs in your medicine cabinet, the separate mechanisms behind aspirin and salicylic acid, and the discovery of curare and how it shaped our understanding of receptors. Rod also shares his views on the value of genetic understanding to the development of treatments, and why the Human Genome Project's early promises to pharmacology fell short. Professor Roderick FlowerDrugs: The Story of PharmacologyBecome a Drug Science community memberWilliam Harvey Research InstituteJohn VaneFelix HoffmannCurareHuman Genome ProjectAspirin mechanism of action HeroinLSDKetamineAlcohol ★ Support this podcast ★

    158. The Story of Pharmacology with Prof Rod Flower

  2. Aug 19

    157. Psychedelics and Christianity with Wendi Rees

    Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, trauma, suicidal thoughts, and mental health challenges. Listener discretion is advised.    In this episode, Prof Jo Neill speaks with Wendi Rees, the critically acclaimed author of A Christian's Guide to Psychedelics. Wendi reflects on growing up as a preacher's kid under a strict set of household rules, and shares how surviving abuse from her father shaped her lifelong mission to protect children from similar harm.    She traces her path from full sobriety to healing using psilocybin, MDMA and intramuscular ketamine, before an even bigger breakthrough came with ibogaine, an experience that brought a profound sense of God's presence and support. Wendi now leads ibogaine retreats for Christians seeking emotional healing, and closes the conversation by exploring why acceptance of psychedelics remains so difficult within Christian communities.    If you or someone you know is struggling with any of these issues, support is available:    Support for survivors of childhood abuse Support for suicidality    Links  ●      Journey to the Father’s heart ●      Wendi Rees  ●      A Christian's Guide to Psychedelics  ●      Psilocybin  ●      Ketamine  ●      MDMA  ●      Ibogaine  ●      22:2 Retreat  ★ Support this podcast ★

    157. Psychedelics and Christianity with Wendi Rees

  3. Aug 5

    156. Training Grandmothers to Treat Depression with Dr Dixon Chibanda

    In this episode, we speak with Dr Dixon Chibanda, a psychiatrist and professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He shares how losing a patient to suicide drove him towards community-based mental health care in Zimbabwe. Chibanda discusses the Friendship Bench, a model he built around grandmothers as custodians of local culture, and how listening and storytelling became its foundation. He explores how the approach was proven through research, its expansion across the world, and why he sees grandmothers, who also gain from the intergenerational connection, as the gold standard for this kind of care.   Links Dr Dixon Chibanda The Friendship Bench Friendship Bench in a Box The Friendship Bench Book ★ Support this podcast ★

    156. Training Grandmothers to Treat Depression with Dr Dixon Chibanda

  4. Jul 22

    155. The History of Schizophrenia with Justin Garson

    In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Dr Hannah Thurgur speaks with Dr Justin Garson, professor of philosophy at CUNY and the author of The Madness Pill, a history of Professor Solomon Snyder and the biological understanding of schizophrenia. He outlines the significant shift to biological paradigms of mental health treatment in the 80s and its ramifications for psychiatry decades later. He dives into the role of different drugs, including psychedelics and amphetamines, in crafting a more informed understanding of schizophrenia and psychosis, before explaining the faults he sees within the field of psychiatry.   Links ●      Justin Garson ●      The Madness Pill ●      Aeon Article ●      Amphetamine ●      LSD ★ Support this podcast ★

    155. The History of Schizophrenia with Justin Garson

  5. Jul 8

    154. Is Medical Cannabis Over-Prescribed? with Dr Andy Barker

    Join us in this episode as Prof Nutt speaks with Dr Andy Barker, a senior psychiatrist, medical cannabis prescriber, and the co-founder of This Native Mind. Andy shares his journey into medical cannabis, detailing the regulatory process for prescribers entering the field. He goes on to discuss the outcomes he’s seen in his own patients, contrasted against backlash from GPs, non-patients, and the broader scientific community. He closes by talking about the psychedelic effects of high-dose cannabis, highlighting the role of set and setting in promoting positive cannabis experiences.    Links  This Native Mind Psilocybin Cannabis T21 Lancet Article on Cannabis Critique of the Lancet Paper Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society  ★ Support this podcast ★

    154. Is Medical Cannabis Over-Prescribed? with Dr Andy Barker

  6. Jun 24

    153. Psychedelics, Couples and Sex with Sarah Tilley

    In this episode, we speak with Sarah Tilley, a couple’s therapy pioneer and the CEO and founder of Beautiful Space, a provider of psilocybin programmes for couples. She details how her own divorce led her to this work, emphasizing that issues between couples become emotionally taxing on their children, manifesting in poor mental health and wellbeing. Sarah discusses how she has seen psilocybin, in conjuction with mindfulness and intentional couples’ exercises, rekindle lost connection and intimacy. She goes on to explore the typical outcomes couples experience after her programmes and why she prefers psilocybin over MDMA for this work.   Links ●      Beautiful Space ●      Psilocybin ●      MDMA ●      Este Perel ★ Support this podcast ★

    153. Psychedelics, Couples and Sex with Sarah Tilley

  7. Jun 10

    152. Cocaine and Alcohol with David Hillier

    In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Prof Nutt speaks with David Hillier, a journalist and the creator of the Substack WHAT ARE YOU ON. David  Hillier has been writing about drug culture and mental health for 12 years and shares his journey into the drugs and harm reduction space, describing how a feature he wrote on The Loop cemented the topic as a broader journalistic focus. The conversation largely revolves around cocoethylene, the metabolite produced by co-ingestion of cocaine and alcohol, and its potential role in a number of cocaine-related deaths that may have been misattributed. David explores his research and other organization’s work to raise awareness of cocaethylene and its harms, and to push for it to become a more substantive focus of scientific research.   Links ●      WHAT ARE YOU ON ●      Alcohol ●      Cocaine ●      Co-Alc Alliance ●      Co-Ingestion Mortality Study ●      Should Young People Drink More ●      Students, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2024-25 ★ Support this podcast ★

    152. Cocaine and Alcohol with David Hillier

  8. May 27

    151. Francis Crick: From DNA to the Brain with Prof Matthew Cobb

    In this episode, we speak to Prof Matthew Cobb, professor of zoology at the University of Manchester and author of Crick: A Mind in Motion, which profiles Francis Crick. Matthew shares insights into his own academic background in neurobiology and evolution, explaining the motivation behind his latest book. He delves into the collaborative approaches that fueled Crick's work and explains the complex dynamics between Crick, James Watson, and Rosalind Franklin during their pursuit of the double helix structure. Finally, Matthew touches on Crick’s cannabis and psychedelic use.   Links ●      Prof Matt Cob ●      Crick: A Mind in Motion ●      What and how do maggots smell? ●      The Double Helix ●      Beatles Letter ●      Mescaline Poem ★ Support this podcast ★

    151. Francis Crick: From DNA to the Brain with Prof Matthew Cobb
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4.8
out of 5
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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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    161
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Drug Science
  • Show Website
    The Drug Science Podcast

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