The Drug Science Podcast

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 eventual arrest following involvement in an LSD production and distribution network. At the time, however it was not uncommon for there to be a separation from LSD funders and manufacturers with distributors and dealers. Kate, therefore, further reflects on her own personal experiences with having fallen victim to the drug trade and trafficking at a young age and how this impacted on her experiences going forwards. Kate further reflects on the historical issues in treating mental health conditions and the current limitations of this, drawing further upon Christine and Richards aspirations for LSD.Buy the books hereListen to Acid Dream hereThe Club of Rome reportCarl Rogers Carl Rogers 2LSD CannabisAlbert Hoffman University Occupation for Palestine March on WashingtonMartin Luther kingDeath of the Family, David CooperPTSD Gabor MateJosef RaelHistory of The Club of RomeInstagramFacebookBlogYou Tube ChannelSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

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 hallucinations during its effects. Dr Holland touches upon debate subjects such as the likelihood of addiction following consumption of MDMA as well as classifications of various substances under regulatory bodies. Finally, Dr Holland highlights the ‘alpha bias’ in current clinical research as expressed through her book ‘moody bitches’ and indicates the implications this could have. Moody Bitches BookGood Chemistry bookMaps MdmaMescalinePCPLSDCannabisFentanylBenzodiazapinesKetaminePsilocybinPsilocybin psychotherapySchizophreniaAnxietyPTSDEating DisordersRosalind WattsNorman OhlerTelehealth Ketamine StudyBecome a Drug Science Community Member ★ Support this podcast ★

 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 regarding the disparity between the self-reported success of microdosing outside the lab setting and why it has failed to be replicated in controlled research settings. Finally, he shares his opinions on recent developments of drug policy in Australia and the prospects of New Zealand adopting a similar policy. KetamineDMTLSDFmriMEGEEGPET5-HT ReceptorMicrodosingNeuroplasticityEndocrineMenstural Cycle HormonesAustralia Law on MDMA and PsilocybinResearchSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

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 research centred around Schizophrenia, Mitul delves into our understanding of drug interactions within the brain and how these can be used in drug development.DopamineDopaminergic systemExecutive functionEpisodic memoryBrain imagingLesion StudyPet scannerTemporal resolutionFmriMRIReceptorsneuronsBlood Brain BarrierKetamineCocainePsilocybinSchizophrenia

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 which were previously thought to be closed, they debate whether a critical period closing is ever truly permanent.Critical periodSensitive periodLorenz 1935MDMAcocaineOxytocinIbogainepsilocybinTheory of mindAlbert HofmannSchizophreniaBecome a Drug Science Community Member ★ Support this podcast ★

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 the foundation of America’s War on Drugs. Ohler discusses theories as to why substances have been omitted from certain parts of history. This episode delves into deep debates regarding the weaponisation of substances within war environments, touching upon the CIA’s attempts to weaponise psychedelics such as LSD in their MK Ultra experiments. MethamphetamineAmphetamineBlitzkriegBlitzed – drugs in nazi Germany bookLSDTrippedCocaineAlbert HofmannPsychedelics David NuttBecome a drug science community member  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 into psychedelic research. Starting from a PhD in Genetics, James’ interest shifted, becoming increasingly interested in psychiatry and discusses his research into psilocybin regarding both its optimum dosage as well as its effectiveness in treatment resistant depression. DepressionMaudsley HospitalMaudsley Hospital Psychedelic ResearchNIHRCompass pathwaysPsilocybinMagic medicine documentaryMdma Dmt KetamineMAPSSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

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 personal journey. She discusses the pain of losing a loved one to a preventable drug related death and how this pain led to the start of Anyone's Child - creating a voice for those who have been directly impacted by drug policy failures and are now calling for the legal control and regulation of the drug market.Anyone's childTransform drugsAnyone's Child Get involvedRelease Harm Reduction AdviceDrug informationEcstasyHeroinOverdose prevention centresThe loopHow to regulate psychedelics bookGood Morning Britain Dealing with griefUNGAS 2016 ★ Support this podcast ★

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 opiates to opiate users.The high media profile of his work, set against the backdrop of febrile local politics in Liverpool, brought immense political pressure. This pressure eventually led to the closure of the clinics.Tune in to this episode as John Marks shares his first-hand experiences, recounting the challenges, triumphs, and controversies surrounding his work on the experiment. He provides insights into the intricacies of the UK's drug laws and discusses their impact on his experiment.Alcohol heroinMisuse of drugs act 1971The ‘Classic paper’ – The North Wind and the SunAccidy, Addiction and the ProhibitionElectroencephalographic Correlates of PsychometryEEG and PsychometryThe Cartesian Bridge: On the Psychology of Consciousness and the Psychopathology of Addiction and SchizophreniaNorth wind and the sunCounty linesSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, we meet with Patrick Cox, a fashion designer with a background collaborating with Vivienne 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 Hoffman Process, and the transformative impact this had on him. From there, he further recounts his journey through the healing use of psychedelics, emphasising the transformative power of ego death. Patrick highlights how this journey led to him becoming a 5-MeO facilitator, and guiding others through these healing experiences.5-MEOVivienne WestwoodThe Hoffman processChristopher HitchensLSDCannabisAyahuasca Ego DeathHermet phaseSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★