The Drug Science Podcast

The Drug Science Podcast

126 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.

81. Head Injury, Professional Rugby and Psychedelics with Rory Lamont

Jul, 05, 2023
This weeks podcast features Rory Lamont, a former professional Rugby Union player, as he discusses his experiences discovering the transformative healing potential of plant medicines such as Iboga and Ayahuasca. During the 2012 Six Nations tournament, while playing for Scotland, Rory suffered a...
Iboga Psychedelics

80. Cannabis for Epilepsy with Dr Evan Lewis

Jun, 21, 2023
In this week's episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Prof Nutt and Dr Thurgur are joined by Dr Evan Lewis of Numinus! Dr. Evan Lewis is a Paediatric Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist with expertise in epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, electroencephalography (EEG), tele-neurology and medical...
Cannabis

79. Smoking vs Vaping with Dr Alex Wodak

Jun, 07, 2023
In this week’s episode, join Professor David Nutt as he engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Alex Wodak, an internationally renowned authority on harm reduction and the esteemed president of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation. With a rich background as the former director of...

78. Are Psychedelics Anti-inflammatory? with Dr Charles Nichols

May, 24, 2023
Join us on this enlightening episode of the Drug Science podcast as we delve into the fascinating world of serotonergic pathways and their potential applications in treating psychiatric disorders and combating inflammation. Our special guest, Charles Nichols, a distinguished professor of...
LSD Psychedelics

77. Is Depression Evolutionary? with Dr Charles Raison

May, 10, 2023
Is depression evolutionary? Is inflammation good or bad? Can sleep be bad for you? Tune in to find out.    Depression is a complex and debilitating mental health disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. Despite the prevalence of depression, its causes and origins are still not entirely...
Psilocybin Psychedelics

76. What is Decriminalisation? with Kassandra Frederique

Apr, 26, 2023
Are you curious about the impact of drug policies on marginalized communities? Then tune in to this week's episode of our podcast! Our guest, Kassandra Frederique, the Executive Director of the Drug Policy Alliance, joins Dr. Hannah Thurgur to discuss the impact of drug policies on Black, Latino,...
Cannabis

T21 - Medical Cannabis bonus episode

Apr, 20, 2023
T21 (formerly Project Twenty21) is a pioneering medical cannabis registry launched in the United Kingdom in 2019. It aims to create the UK's largest body of evidence for the effectiveness and tolerability of medical cannabis in treating a range of conditions. T21 focuses on patients with conditions...
Cannabis

75. DMT for Depression with Dr Graham Campbell

Apr, 12, 2023
Are you curious about the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy? Tune in to this week's episode of our podcast, where we have a fascinating conversation with Dr. Graham Campbell, a renowned consultant psychiatrist and researcher in the field. Drawing from his extensive...
Psilocybin DMT

74. Welcome to Season 4 with Dr Thurgur and Prof Neill

Mar, 29, 2023
Welcome to season 4 of the Drug Science Podcast! In this episode, we're introducing our new hosts: Professor Jo Neill and Dr Hannah Thurgur!    Jo Neill is a professor of psychopharmacology at the University of Manchester and the chair of the Medical Psychedelics Working Group of Drug Science....
Psychedelics

Drug Science LIVE - Part 2

Mar, 15, 2023
This week we present you with part 2 of the podcast recorded live at the book launch of 'Drug Science and British Drug Policy’. We’re going to hear panel discussions on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and different approaches to drug policy with co-authors of the book. This time, professor David...
MDMA

Drug Science LIVE - Part 1

Mar, 01, 2023
This week we present you with a podcast recorded live at the book launch of ‚Drug Science and British drug policy’. We’re going to hear panel discussions on the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and different approaches to drug policy with co-authors of the book. In part 1 professor David Nutt will...
MDMA

73. Overdose Prevention Centres with Gillian Shorter and Mat Southwell

Sep, 28, 2022
Dr Gillian Shorter is currently a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast, with 17 years’ research experience on substance use and allied works. Her main research focus is supporting people who use drugs or alcohol who are not seeking formal treatment. She led the...

72. The Student Society Network with Libby Furminger and Ben Clayden

Sep, 14, 2022
Libby and Ben are third-year students from Swansea University and the University of York, who are deeply interested in the use of psychedelics in medicine and drug policy. At their universities, they are presidents of their respective Psychedelics in Medicine societies which raise awareness on the...
LSD Cannabis Psychedelics

71. Drugs in the Media with Mattha Busby

Aug, 31, 2022
Mattha Busby is a freelance journalist for publications including the Guardian, Observer, London Times, Vice, Jacobin and Leafly. Based in Mexico, Mattha writes about health, drugs, nutrition, human rights, blockchain, the environment, and events in Latin America. 'Should All Drugs Be Legalized?’...
Psilocybin

70. The Placebo Effect with Andrew Gold

Aug, 17, 2022
This week’s episode features Andrew Gold of the On the Edge with Andrew Gold podcast. Andrew Gold is a journalist and TV presenter who lived in 6 countries, producing documentaries on bizarre and controversial subcultures. His documentaries range from the award-winning Exorcism: The Battle for...

69. Amphetamine, Heroin and Cocaine with Prof Aldo Badiani

Aug, 03, 2022
Professor Badiani received his doctoral degree in Medicine and Surgery from Sapienza University of Rome and carried out post-doctoral research in Italy (CNR), Canada (CSBN), and USA (University of Michigan) to then return to Sapienza University Medical School as Assistant Professor in the Department...

68. Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Depression? with Prof Allan Young

Jul, 20, 2022
Professor Allan Young is a psychopharmacologist and the Director of the Centre for Affective Disorders in the Department of Psychological Medicine in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. Prof Young is the clinical academic lead in the Psychological...

68. Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Depression? with Prof Allan Young

Jul, 20, 2022
Professor Allan Young is a psychopharmacologist and the Director of the Centre for Affective Disorders in the Department of Psychological Medicine in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. Prof Young is the clinical academic lead in the Psychological...

68. Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Depression? with Prof Allan Young

Jul, 20, 2022
Professor Allan Young is a psychopharmacologist and the Director of the Centre for Affective Disorders in the Department of Psychological Medicine in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. Prof Young is the clinical academic lead in the Psychological...

68. Bipolar, Schizophrenia and Depression? with Prof Allan Young

Jul, 20, 2022
Professor Allan Young is a psychopharmacologist and the Director of the Centre for Affective Disorders in the Department of Psychological Medicine in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. Prof Young is the clinical academic lead in the Psychological...