The Drug Science Podcast

Join Prof Emma Robinson, a leading psychopharmacology expert from the University of Bristol, as she discusses the vital role of animal research in understanding depression. She tackles the ethical nuances of animal testing and shares insights on how psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine could revolutionize mental health treatments. Emma also highlights innovative animal models for studying emotional memory and the nuances of drug effects. Discover her perspectives on the future of psychiatry, focusing on emotional biases and the path to integrating social factors into mental health care.

In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, we talk to Simon Doherty, a journalist and content creator with a focus on harm reduction. He explores how reporting on electronic music and rave culture naturally led to his work on harm reduction. He goes on to dissect Talk to Frank and its flaws in providing accurate, evidence-based information. Finally, by comparing the unique landscape of free parties to the regulated club scene, Doherty discusses why and how clubs avoid common sense harm reduction techniques, endangering clubgoers. LinksSimon’s TikTokInvestigating Talk to FrankCalling FrankThe LoopRave Aid CrewGHB/GHLKetamineNitazenes ★ Support this podcast ★

Join us in this episode as we talk to Prof Sara Tai, a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Manchester and an NHS consultant clinical psychologist. Sara’s research is grounded in biopsychosocial frameworks, with a focus on understanding the mechanisms of change that underpin effective psychological therapies. She has extensive experience delivering therapy, and training other clinicians to deliver interventions with individuals, families, and young people across diverse settings, including acute in-patient units, community mental health services, and schools.For many years, Sara has been at the forefront of research into psychedelic-assisted therapies, working collaboratively with academic and industry partners to explore how psychedelics bring about therapeutic change. She has been instrumental in manualising psychological support models that integrate the core effective components shared across evidence-based psychotherapies, helping to define best practice in this rapidly advancing area. An experienced researcher, clinician, and trainer, Sara has led and collaborated on large-scale randomised controlled trials and has played a central role in training psychedelic therapists worldwide. Her work continues to bridge scientific research and clinical practice, advancing safe, effective, and compassionate approaches to mental health care.Sara explores her research into the oft-overlooked role of therapy within psychedelic treatments. She discuses how her work has helped to challenge the notion of psychedelic compounds as medicine in themselves, shifting the focus onto the therapeutic approaches alongside them. Ultimately, Sara underscores the need for more transformative psychedelic experiences grounded in peer support, indigenous knowledge, or therapeutic experience in order to facilitate positive outcomes. Links Prof Sara Tai Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Method of Levels ★ Support this podcast ★

Adam Zmith, a writer and producer known for his work on queer history and author of "Deep Sniff," dives into the fascinating world of poppers. He examines their complex history and regulation while highlighting their cultural significance within the queer community. Zmith discusses the evolution of poppers from Victorian medical use to their branding in the 1970s nightlife scene. He explores the implications of policing and the need for harm reduction, positioning poppers as a metaphor for queer visibility and resilience. History becomes a lens for envisioning inclusive queer futures.

Join us in this episode as Prof Nutt speaks to John, Joanne, and Ryan of the Scottish Ambulance Service in Glasgow. They explore their backgrounds in the Service and how their work exposed them to challenging situations that caused severe detriment to their mental health. After describing the failings of traditional mental health support for emergency workers, they tell their story of travelling to Peru for an ayahuasca retreat, an eye-opening and profoundly heartening experience. LinksScottish Ambulance ServicesAyahuascaHeroic Hearts Project UKThe ShipiboScottish Psychedelic Research Group ★ Support this podcast ★

Dr. Andy Letcher, a religious scholar and author of 'Shroom: A Cultural History of the Magic Mushroom', dives deep into the fascinating intersection of psychedelics and spirituality. He discusses how his journey from astronomy to studying contemporary Druidry shaped his views on psychedelics as a means to explore religious experiences. Letcher shares insights on the cultural contexts of these experiences, the complexities of modern Druidry, and the influence of Gordon Wasson in popularizing psilocybin mushrooms in the West. Finally, he highlights his role in developing new psychedelic studies at Exeter.

Tune into the latest episode of the Drug Science Podcast, where we talk to Jenny Chapman and Dr. Stephen Naulls, researchers at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) and authors of ‘Psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health: Policy considerations, a briefing for Parliament’ on the state of psychedelic research. They explore the remit of POST in highlighting objective, emerging scientific research, and how psychedelics have come into their focus. With backgrounds in biology and medicine, both Jenny and Stephen stress the interwoven nature of science and policy. Through this intersection, they highlight the policy levers holding psychedelic researchers back and what Parliament and the greater public can take from the POST brief.   Links Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology POST report on Psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental health: Policy considerations, a briefing for Parliament Psychedelic drugs to treat eating disorders Psychedelic drugs to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Psychedelic-assisted therapy to treat anxiety disorders Psychedelic drugs to treat depression Psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of addiction POST Board Fellowship opportunities  POST All Reports Knowledge Exchange Unit – KEU Horizon Scanning Ketamine ★ Support this podcast ★

In this discussion, mycologist Darren Le Baron shares his journey from East London, where he empowers at-risk youth through horticulture and mushroom programs. He dives into his series on psychedelics in Africa, highlighting ancient and modern links between psychedelics and African culture. By sharing insights on iboga, psilocybin, and the challenges of stigma, he emphasizes the importance of including indigenous perspectives in the psychedelic conversation, confronting the erasure caused by coloniality.

Join us in this episode as we speak to Bruce Parry, the creator and star of the BBC series Tribe With Bruce Parry. He explains his sharp career change from a Royal Marine to an advocate for indigenous rights, where he’s developed a humble approach to learning from indigenous tribes, defined by listening and witnessing. He talks about his experiences of psychedelics in these contexts, namely ayahuasca, which have vastly shaped his outlook on life. Through this lens, he lends his opinions on topics like ayahuasca tourism and capitalist culture in the psychedelic space.Tribe with Bruce Parry Psilocybin Ayahuasca ★ Support this podcast ★

Sam Bloomfield, founder of PsyEdu and psychotherapist, and Dr. Edward Jacobs, a pioneer in psychedelic ethics, dive deep into the evolving landscape of psychedelics. They discuss the critical need for ethical guidelines in psychedelic trials and the importance of education for health professionals. Bloomfield highlights the role of structured retreats, while Jacobs emphasizes participant autonomy. They also explore the impact of public perception on policy reform and advocate for inclusivity to ensure equitable access to psychedelic therapies.