The Drug Science Podcast

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 describes each personal ayahuasca experience and the themes that tied them together. He highlights his revelations resulting from the ceremony and they discuss the potential of psychedelics within healing practices.  AyahuascaPsilocybinLSDDMTSmall PharmaMedical CannabisVietnam hippiesOCDDepressionDr Gabor MateSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

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 treatment. She overviews her current study and the theories behind it.   SchizophreniaOCDPsilocybinSSRI              NeuroplasticityThe Mushroom CureSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

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 into the advantages of using psilocybin as an alternative to SSRI’s as well as the potential uses of MDMA in promoting communication within relationships.   DMT5-MEO DMTPsilocybinMDMAMAPSTreatment resistant PTSDOxytocinSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

David talks to Hannah, a 3rd year PhD student as she discusses her research into using psychedelics to treat eating disorders. She highlights how following personal experiences she came to find current treatment methods for anorexia were not sufficient and instead began conducting her own research with Imperial College London to investigate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat eating disorders. Hannah explains the theories underlying this research as well as the neuroplasticity following from psilocybin which may increase its effectiveness in mental health treatment AnorexiaEating disorder SerotoninayahuascaPsilocybinNeuroplasticityBecome a Drug Science Community Member ★ Support this podcast ★

In the first of our LIVE Psilocybin Series, David Nutt speaks to Rayyan Zafar a final year PhD student at Imperial College London.  Rayyan discusses his interest of the connection between the mind and the brain and how it led to his research into using psychedelics to treat addiction. Rayyan delves into various behavioural and neurochemical theories into why dependency occurs and highlights neuroimaging studies which indicate these varied reactions. He further goes on to discuss his current research in using psychedelics to treat addiction and why this treatment is proven to be so successful. AddictionMDMACocaineLSDPsilocybin KetamineNeurotransmittersDopamineCompass PathwaysBill Wilson AA PsychedelicsBecome a drug science community member ★ Support this podcast ★

Josh Hardman, founder of Psychedelic Alpha, discusses the challenges faced by the psychedelic industry including progress of decriminalisation, clinical trial milestones, and the potential evolution of the industry. They also touch on the current state of decriminalization in Oregon and Colorado, challenges in accessing regulated psilocybin, real-world evidence collection, drug development models, and the importance of in-person events in the psychedelic industry.

In this episode, Prof Jo Neill and Dr Hannah Thurgur sit down with Dustin Robinson, the visionary founding partner of Mr. Cannabis Law and a co-founder of Mr. Psychedelics Law. These law firms possess the expertise needed to navigate the intricate and strictly regulated realms of cannabis and psychedelics, addressing a wide range of legal and business challenges within these unique industries.Their discussion covers a range of thought-provoking topics, including US drug policy and reform, the intricate relationship between mental health and these substances, issues around integration of indigenous psychedelics into Western medicine, and the challenges surrounding research funding. Mr Cannabis LawMr Psychedelic LawAdventure Capital FirmKetaminePsilocybinMDMADMTPTSDKetamineTelehealthSmall PharmaMAPS MDMA TrialCompass PathwaysDecriminalise NatureThe Beckley Foundation AwaknSupport the Podcast  ★ Support this podcast ★

Recorded live from the launch event of David Nutt's latest book, "Psychedelics: The Revolutionary Drugs That Could Change Your Life – a guide from the expert," in this episode Dr. David Erritzoee and David Nutt engage in a discussion about Psychedelics. During the conversation, David Nutt provides valuable insights into the research that initially ignited his interest in Psychedelics and narrates his career journey from chairing the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs to becoming a co-chair of Drug Science. Psychedelics: The revolutionary drugs that could change your life – a guide from the expertSentiaPsilocybinMDMAAntidepressants DepressionLSD DMT AyahuascaAmphetamineNitrous OxideKetamineCannabisEquasy — An overlooked addiction with implications for the current debate on drug harmsAustralia using MDMA and Psilocybin as MedicineSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Mike Jay explores the contents of his latest book titled "Psychonaut," which offers a thought-provoking and unique account of the scientists, writers, artists, and philosophers who engaged in drug exploration to uncover the enigmatic realms of the mind. The podcast delves into the historical perspective of psychedelics, shedding light on the evolving societal perceptions of these substances. Moreover, it seeks to rediscover a forgotten intellectual legacy of drug experimentation that contributed to the development of psychology, the exploration of the unconscious, and the rise of modernism. The High Society book Mescaline BookPsychonauts BookBrave New World BookThe Doors of Perception BookCocaine Papers Sigmund Freud AlcoholCocaineNitrous OxideCannabisLSDAddictionSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Meg Spriggs shares her firsthand experience dealing with the challenges mental health while pursuing her studies in academia. She candidly talks about the difficulties she faced with anorexia and mood disorders which led to her investigating the potential of psilocybin for treating Anorexia Nervosa. During the discussion, Meg reveals the shame she felt was associated with various mental health conditions and the consecutive impact this had on her; emphasising the significance of open communication when it comes to mental health, stressing the need for more dialogue and understanding in both the workforce and academia. Additionally, she underscores the importance of prioritising overall wellbeing within these environments. Anorexia NervosaPsilocybinAntidepressantsBeat Eating Disorder SupportSupport the podcastMeg’s Writing Support Meg’s writing   ★ Support this podcast ★