The Drug Science Podcast

The Drug Science Podcast

138 episodes

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.

113. Psychiatrists and Curanderos with Dr Simon Ruffell

Sep, 25, 2024
  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....
Ayahuasca

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

Sep, 11, 2024
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...

111. OCD and Psychedelics with Rose Cartwright

Aug, 28, 2024
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...
Psychedelics

110. Ancient Wisdom in the Modern World with Satya

Aug, 14, 2024
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....
Psilocybin

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

Jul, 31, 2024
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...

108. Psychedelic Education in the UK with Dr Duncan Still

Jul, 17, 2024
In this episode, David Nutt meets with Dr Duncan Still, a GP with significant interest in integrative medicine. He highlights the importance of adopting a holistic approach when providing support for patients and connecting traditional medicine with modern medicine as opposed to discounting it....
MDMA

107. Kava with Dr Apo Aporosa

Jul, 03, 2024
In this episode we meet with Dr Apo Aporosa He discusses his unconventional route to his PhD, having not finished school and joined the Army followed by the police only to break into academia at a masters level and continuing studies from there.  Apo talks about his PTSD diagnosis and his...

106. The Microdot Gang with Kate Hayes

Jun, 19, 2024
In this episode, Kate Hayes reflects on her experiences with the LSD Microdot Gang, drawing upon her interactions and experiences with Dr. Christine Bott and Richard Kemp. She addresses Richard and Christine’s aspiration to bring about positive change in the world using LSD which led to their...
LSD

105. MDMA medicalisation in the US with Dr Julie Holland

Jun, 05, 2024
In this episode we meet with Dr Julie Holland.  She discussed how MDMA influenced her career and inspired her to investigate its therapeutic potential. Controversially, she has investigated the effect of MDMA in schizophrenia and its potential in preventing paranoia and inhibiting auditory...
MDMA Ketamine

104. Psychedelics in New Zealand with Dr Suresh Muthukumaraswamy

May, 22, 2024
 In this episode, we meet with Dr. Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, an Associate Professor of Pharmacy in Auckland. Dr. Muthukumaraswamy discusses his early research, exploring the functional connectivity of substances like DMT and Ketamine. He proceeds to share insights into his breakthrough realisation...
DMT MDMA Psychedelics

103. Neuroimaging with Prof Mitul Mehta

May, 08, 2024
Professor Mitul Mehta explains how his studies in neuroscience and the role of dopamine in learning and memory led to his own career in neuroimaging. He offers an overview of what neuroimaging entails and how these scans can contribute to the advancement of research.  Drawing from his latest...

102. MDMA and the Octopus with Dr Gül Dölen

Apr, 24, 2024
In this episode, Prof Neill and Dr Thurgur meet with Dr Gül Dölen, a neuroscientist known for studying social behaviour and psychedelic drugs. Together, they explore the role of critical periods in trauma and mental health; following the potential of Psychedelics in reopening critical periods...
MDMA Psychedelics

101. LSD, Nazis and the CIA with Norman Ohler

Apr, 10, 2024
In this episode, Prof Nutt meets with German author Norman Ohler as he speaks about his new book “Tripped” which addresses drug use in post-Nazi Germany. Ohler shares how a secret history held back therapeutic research of psychedelic drugs for decades and eventually Nazi policies became part of...
LSD

100. 100 Years of the Maudsley Hospital with Dr James Rucker

Mar, 27, 2024
On the 100th Episode of the Drug Science podcast, Prof David Nutt meets with Dr James Rucker to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Maudsley Hospital. James shares his experiences as one of the first clinicians in a psychedelic study hosted by David Nutt before explaining his own personal journey...

99. Anyone's Child with Anne-Marie Cockburn and Jane Slater

Mar, 13, 2024
In this episode, we meet with Jane Slater, co-founder of Anyone’s Child and Anne Marie, a mother who tragically lost her child, Martha, to an accidental overdose. Anne and Jane discuss the consequences of drug policy failures and the need for safe drug use education, drawing in on Anne’s...

98. The Merseyside Experiment with John Marks

Feb, 28, 2024
In this week's episode, we feature John Marks, an Addiction Psychologist who spearheaded the Merseyside experiment in northwest England from 1982 to 1995. Throughout this 13-year period, Marks fearlessly operated clinics in Liverpool, basing his practice on the long-term maintenance prescribing of...

97. 5-MeO-DMT with Patrick Cox

Feb, 14, 2024
In this episode, we meet with Patrick Cox, a fashion designer with a background collaborating with Vivianne Westwood. Patrick shares his personal journey from his lifestyle in fashion, led to confronting deep-seated intergenerational trauma. Patrick opens up about undertaking the highly secretive...

96. Ayahuasca: Before and After with Evgeny Lebedev

Jan, 31, 2024
In this episode, David Nutt meets with Evgeny Lebedev, owner of the Independent and Evening Standard newspaper. Lebedev shares his transformative journey during his first Ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica. Throughout the episode, Lebedev not only shares insight into the ceremony's practices but also...
Ayahuasca

95. Psilocybin for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder with Sorcha O'Connor

Jan, 17, 2024
In the last episode of our live series, David meets with Sorcha as she explains her ongoing research into using low dose psilocybin in treating OCD. She discusses the pre-existing treatment paradigms for OCD and highlights the potential benefits of Psilocybin assisted psychotherapy in future...
Psilocybin

94. Psilocybin for Sexual Wellbeing and Relationships with Tommaso Barba

Jan, 03, 2024
Tomasso discusses his journey on how he became interested in neuroscience and how that lead to him becoming involved with the UK's leading Psychedelic Research Centre. He discusses the potential of psychedelics in promoting positive sexual wellbeing and healthy relationships. He discusses research...
Psilocybin MDMA