The Drug Science Podcast

In this episode, Jo Neill, and Hannah Thurgur are joined by Danny Ahmed, a highly experienced Registered Mental Health Nurse and Integrated Psychotherapist with over two decades of expertise. Together, they delve into a comprehensive discussion on a variety of harm reduction techniques. Throughout the episode, Danny shares his wealth of insights into the complex world of harm reduction. The conversation spans a broad spectrum of topics, including drug consumption rooms, the notion of ‘recovery’ and women who use drugs amongst much more. Danny offers an enlightening look into the multifaceted world of harm reduction. His expertise not only illuminates effective strategies but also underscores the importance of employing compassionate and empathetic approaches when supporting individuals on their path to well-being. Harm reductionNaloxoneMDMAHeroin CocaineAlcoholBenzodiazapinesMethadoneFentanylBuprenorphineSynthetic opioidsOverdose prevention centresRIOTT trials Project ADDERAlcoholics AnonymousPolydrug useNaloxoneOrder NaloxoneBuddyup AppSupport the Podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Professr Valerie Curran, discusses the psychological effects of drugs that act on the human brain. Valerie Curren holds the position of Professorial Fellow in the Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program at ACU's Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre. She has an esteemed background as an Emeritus Professor of Psychopharmacology at University College London (UCL), having established the UCL Clinical Psychopharmacology Unit in 1996. Furthermore, she is a founding member of the charity Drug Science and serves as an advisor to the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy Reform.Tune in to learn about her latest research into the short- and long-term effects of psychoactive drugs on mental health, cognition, memory and the brain as well as how CBD combined with psychological therapy may aid the treatment of cannabis use disorder.BenzosMDMAAlcoholCannabisCBDTHCKetamineMDMA midweek blues paper – in journal Addiction (mid 90s) Inappropriate benzodiazepine use in elderly patients and its reduction Combined and individual effects of CBD and THC on memoryDavid Nutt and Psilocybin in Australia  Cannabis potencyCBD treating clinical psychosisCBD in treating cannabis use disorderProject 2021Medical cannabis reducing opiate useJon snow takes cannabis Endocannabinoid systemSupport the podcast ★ Support this podcast ★

Join us for an insightful episode featuring Dr. Carol Routledge, a distinguished senior scientist and the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer at Small Pharma Labs. Dr. Routledge takes us on a journey through her remarkable career path that ultimately led her to work at Small Pharma. With a wealth of experience in both preclinical and clinical settings, she has delved into psychiatric and neurological indications, honing her expertise in understanding and treating mental health disorders.In this conversation, Dr. Carol Routledge draws upon her extensive clinical and psychedelic research background to shed light on the latest developments in DMT research and psychedelic integration therapy. With her profound insights, we explore the potential of these groundbreaking approaches to become formal medicines, revolutionizing the field of mental health treatment.Tune in as Dr. Carol Routledge shares her passion for advancing mental health treatments through innovative research. DMT DepressionSerotoninNor adrenaline Small PharmaChris Timmermann - Human brain effects of DMT assessed via EEG-fMRICMC British technology group (BTG)SSRI Psychedelic experienceAlzheimers research uk  ★ Support this podcast ★

In this episode, Peter Hunt discusses the journey which led himself and his wife co-founding Mind Medicine in Australia. Mind Medicine work to alleviate the suffering and suicides caused by mental illness in Australia through expanding the treatment options available to medical practitioners and patients, particularly through the establishment of safe and effective psychedelic-assisted therapies.Delving into the heart of their mission, Peter Hunt explores the groundbreaking potential of psychedelic-assisted treatments in addressing a wide range of mental illnesses. Mind Medicine Australia's commitment to providing accessible and innovative therapies shines through every step of their path.Peter delves into a comprehensive discussion of the recent developments surrounding the rescheduling of Psilocybin in Australia, shedding light on both the obstacles faced and the triumphs achieved throughout the process.Trigger Warning: Sexual assault and rapeMind MedicineMDMAPsilocybinDepressionAlcoholAddictionPTSDChildhood abuseSSRI antidepressantsCovid-19AnorexiaTherapeutic goods administrationAustralia Psilocybin Rescheduling ★ Support this podcast ★

This weeks Podcast features Frédéric Destrebecq and Tadeusz Hawrot as they discuss the latest developments in research and clinical development with psychedelics in Europe.Frédéric Destrebecq is the Executive Director of the European Brain Council (EBC), a non-profit organization based in Brussels, Belgium. The EBC is a network of organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting brain research, raising awareness about brain disorders, and advocating for better policies and funding for brain-related issues at the European level. As the Executive Director, Frédéric Destrebecq leads the organization's efforts in advocating for brain research and policy development, facilitating collaborations, and coordinating initiatives to improve brain health and well-being across Europe.Tadeusz Hawrot is involved in the European federation of neurological associations and the founder and Executive Director of PAREA Science. The Psychedelic Access and Research European Alliance (PAREA) is a multistakeholder alliance bringing together organizations representing EU-wide patient advocacy groups, professional organizations, umbrella alliances, psychedelic foundations, and companies active in the field, advocating for implementing safe, effective and accessible psychedelic assisted therapies in Europe.Live Drug Science Podcast Recording in London  PAREA European Brain council European Federation of Neurological Associations The Value of Treatment Project Maps MDMA phase 3 trial Compass Pathways Small Pharma Politico Lancet Horizon MDMA Support the Podcast  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 severe leg break that brought his career to an end. Subsequently, he faced a debilitating health crisis that disrupted his life and vitality. As mainstream medicine failed to provide adequate assistance, Rory sought alternative healing methods.  This experience marked a significant shift in his self-awareness and improvement in his overall well-being.  Six Nations: Scotland shock as Rory Lamont suffers broken leg during defeat to France Scottish psychedelic research group Jo Rogan and Aubrey Marcus Podcast Benzos Opioids Psilocybin Ibogaine Iboga ceremony Ayahuasca Psychedelic Integration Ayahuasca Ceremony Link for the drug science event Support the Podcast  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 for the treatment of neurologic disorders. He is the director of the Neurology Centre of Toronto (NCT) which he established in January 2017. At NCT, Dr. Lewis treats children with a variety of neurological disorders and he also treats adults for concussions, headaches and epilepsy.In addition to this, Dr Lewis is the Vice President of Psychedelic Neurology at Numinus. His research area of interest (and the topic of this podcast episode) is cannabis and psychedelic-related neurology, for the treatment of epilepsy & other neurological conditions and the delivery of novel virtual care models in neurology. ★ Support this podcast ★

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 the Alcohol and Drug Service at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, Australia, Dr Wodak has been instrumental in pioneering groundbreaking initiatives such as Australia's inaugural needle exchange program and the first-ever Australian medically supervised injecting center in Kings Cross, Sydney.While Dr Wodak's expertise is widely recognised in the realm of drug policy and harm reduction, this podcast episode takes a compelling twist as he delves into a topic of immense global significance—the harm reduction approach to one of the most pervasive and widely used substances: tobacco. With an unwavering focus on promoting public health and minimising the detrimental impact of addictive substances, Dr Wodak shares his profound insights on the subject. Throughout the episode, listeners will have the opportunity to explore the nuances surrounding tobacco consumption. Dr Wodak's analysis sheds light on the complexities that contribute to the enduring prevalence of smoking, despite the well-documented health risks and the availability of potential alternatives. From psychological, sociocultural, and economic factors to the powerful grip of addiction, this thought-provoking conversation delves into the multifaceted reasons why individuals continue to smoke.  Alex WodakHarm reductionRoger WilliamsKaposi's sarcomaNational Institutes of HealthFDAAnthony FauciHarm Reduction InternationalScurvyAndre CalantzopoulosPsychoactive podcastHon LikHeated Tobacco ProductsChina National Tobacco Corporation ★ Support this podcast ★

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 pharmacology at LSU New Orleans, shares his groundbreaking research on the psychedelic 5-HT2A serotonin receptor.During our conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between the 5-HT2A receptor and its role in both anti-inflammation and the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Charles Nichols guides us through the mechanisms behind these processes, shedding light on how psychedelics like LSD can play a crucial role in modulating the 5-HT2A receptor.Drawing from his innovative studies, Charles Nichols reveals a surprising avenue of research involving the administration of LSD to depressed fruit flies. We uncover the intriguing results of these experiments and discuss the implications they hold for understanding the neural mechanisms underlying depression and potential treatments.As we venture further into our conversation, we explore the broader implications of Charles Nichols' work, touching on the potential of psychedelics in revolutionizing mental health treatments and redefining our understanding of brain function. We examine the challenges and prospects of translating this research into practical therapies for individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders.Tune in to this thought-provoking episode of the Drug Science podcast to discover the cutting-edge advancements in psychedelic research, and gain a deeper appreciation for the therapeutic potential of serotonergic pathways in treating mental health disorders and combating inflammation. British Association for PsychopharmacologySerotonin 5-HT2a receptorDavid NicholsSerotonin DopamineElaine Sanders-Bush5-HT2C receptorFunctional selectivityPorsolt forced swimming testLSDPsilocybinCocaineMetamphetamineTryptophanCitalopram2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI)TNF-alphaInterleukin 6 (IL6)Stephania CormierTimothy FosterDMTMicroglia ★ Support this podcast ★

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 understood. In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, we explore the evolutionary perspective on depression with renowned psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Charles Raison. Dr. Charles Raison is a psychiatrist and professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Emory University. Having moved from the field of anthropology into psychiatry, Dr. Raison is now internationally recognized for his studies examining novel mechanisms involved in the development and treatment of major depression and other stress-related emotional and physical conditions, as well as for his work examining the physical and behavioral effects of compassion training.   The New Mind-Body Science of DepressionAndrew H. Miller  Interferon alphaParoxetine for the prevention of depression induced by high-dose interferon alfaInfliximab Tumor necrosis factorA randomized controlled trial of the tumor necrosis factor antagonist infliximab for treatment-resistant depression: the role of baseline inflammatory biomarkersAntidepressant treatment resistance is associated with increased inflammatory markers in patients with major depressive disorderBurning down the house: reinventing drug discovery in psychiatry for the development of targeted therapies CRP Interleukin 6 (IL-6)Interleukin 1 betaWim HofPivotal mental statesUsona InstituteCOMPASS PathwaysCentre for Psychedelics and Spirituality Psilocybin MAPSMDMATrial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression5-MeO-DMTSleeping with one eye open: loneliness and sleep quality in young adults ★ Support this podcast ★