The Drug Science Podcast

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, Indigenous, immigrant, and LGBTQ communities. You'll also discover how the Drug Policy Alliance is working to build alternatives grounded in justice and equity. Join us to explore how we can end the war on drugs not just in the US, but worldwide. Listen now!Through innovative campaigns on policing, overdose crises, and marijuana legalization, Kassandra has been fighting for justice and equity in drug policies. Her work lies at the intersection of science, compassion, health, and human rights. With her guidance, the Drug Policy Alliance has been mobilizing cities to rethink their approach to drug policy from the ground up. Rudy Giuliani  Lindesmith Center Supervised Consumption Centers in New York Transform Drug Policy Foundation Release Regulating Right, Repairing Wrongs: Exploring Equity and Social Justice Initiatives within UK Cannabis Reform Scottish overdose prevention service Methadone Narcan ★ Support this podcast ★

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 that can be treated with medical cannabis such as chronic pain, anxiety conditions, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Tourette's syndrome, and substance use disorder. A list of conditions that qualify for medical cannabis treatment can be found here. The registry provides patients with access to discounted medical cannabis from licensed producers and clinicians who have undergone training in the use of medical cannabis while collecting data to strengthen the evidence base The project is seen as a significant step forward in promoting research into the potential therapeutic benefits of medical cannabis, and in improving patient access to this treatment option in the UK.In this very special episode of the Drug Science Podcast, we will be joined by three members of the Drug Science team: David Badcock – Chief Executive Officer of Drug ScienceProf Michael Lynskey – Chief Research OfficerAlkyoni Athanasiou-Fragkouli – Research Officer for T21  *Please note that in this episode we make reference to a medical cannabis legal document that will be provided in the shownotes, this document is VERY close to being finished but it needs a few last-minute reviews to ensure that all of the information is 100% accurate, we appreciate your patience. Meet the presenters!Find out more about T21  David Nutt >< David Badcock Hepatitis C project T21 latest data & data nuggetsT21 publications: ·         Medication sparing after medical cannabis initiation: A case study of a chronic pain patient in Project Twenty21·         Developing a real-world evidence base for prescribed cannabis in the United Kingdom: preliminary findings from Project Twenty21·         Characteristics of People Seeking Prescribed Cannabinoids for the Treatment of Chronic Pain: Evidence From Project Twenty 21·         The value of real world evidence: The case of medical cannabis·         Preliminary findings from project Twenty21 Australia: An observational study of patients prescribed medicinal Cannabis for chronic pain, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder and multiple sclerosis  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 experience in both psychedelic research and clinical work, Dr. Campbell shares his insights on a range of topics. Discover his thoughts on the possibility of introducing psychedelic treatments by the NHS, the differences between magic mushrooms and DMT in the treatment of depression, and the crucial role of music in a psychedelic journey.Join us for an engaging and informative discussion on the cutting-edge of psychedelic-assisted therapy, with one of the leading experts in the field. Don't miss out - listen to our latest episode now!Listen to Graham's music here! Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Small Pharma DMT Ketamine Intranasal Esketamine (SpravatoTM) for Use in Treatment-Resistant Depression In Conjunction With an Oral Antidepressant Schizophrenia Bipolar disorder Schizoaffective disorder Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression Rosalind Watts Michelle Baker Jones Roberta Murphy  Jonny Martell Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner Psilocybin Institute of Psychedelic Therapy The Readiness of Psychiatrists to Implement Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Ayahuasca Monoamine oxidase inhibitor Serotonin  The ACE Model The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy Max Cooper Music and the Mind by Anthony Storr Mind Foundation Maria Papaspyrou ★ Support this podcast ★

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. Following years of clinical and scientific experience, Jo decided to focus on spreading knowledge about the use of psychedelic medicines to tackle the mental health crisis head-on! Hannah Thurgur is a doctor of neuroscience. After finishing her studies her research focus shifted from the lab to working with patients in clinical trials involving medical cannabis and psychedelics. She is the study coordinator for the Drug Science Long Covid study which aims to test a high cannabidiol (CBD) containing medical cannabis oil to see if it can improve the symptoms of this challenging condition. Tune in to meet Jo and Hannah and hear about the upcoming events, podcasts, and plans for Drug Science! ★ Support this podcast ★

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 Nutt will talk with Niamh Eastwood (Release), Steve Rolles (Transform drug policy foundation), and Cara Lavan (Anyone’s Child).   Naloxone Sentia GABA SpiritThe Numbers in Black And White: Ethnic Disparities In The Policing And Prosecution Of Drug Offences In England And WalesDrugs, Crime and Public Health: The Political Economy of Drug PolicyThe LoopLewisham Diversion SchemeUtrecht MDMA shopLegal Regulation of Drugs in ColombiaSynthetic cannabinoidsThe House I Live InCrack cocaineStrip search Stop and search  ★ Support this podcast ★

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 talk with Prof Alex Stevens (Professor in Criminal Justice), Prof Val Curran (Professor of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology), and Roz Gittins (Director of Pharmacy). Tune in to hear about 50 years of failed drug policy, and what you can do to influence change. Drug Science and British Drug Policy: Critical Analysis of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971Misuse of Drugs Act 1971Sentia GABA SpiritProfessor Alex StevensAdvisory Council on the Misuse of DrugsEcstasy (MDMA)‚Drug policy ratchet’CannabinoidTetrahydrocannabinol (THC)Harm reduction The Drugtakers. The Social Meaning of Drug Use by Jock YoungOverdose prevention centre (OPC)Foil for harm reductionBaroness Wootton of AbingerDame Carol BlackControlled Drug ClassesRonnie CowanNational Institute of Drug AbuseDrug Science Student Society NetworkHeroinNaloxoneHuman psychobiology of MDMA or 'Ecstasy': an overview of 25 years of empirical research by Andrew Parrott George Ricaurte MDMA Research Controversy Nitrous oxideSadiq Khan plans pilot to ‘decriminalise’ minor cannabis offences in LondonIntranasal Naloxone Khat ★ Support this podcast ★

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 evaluation of the UK’s first unsanctioned drug consumption site in Glasgow, Scotland run by Peter Krykant, and has an interest in developing models for overdose prevention centres including community engagement, evaluation, understanding, and delivery in partnerships with people who have lived or living experience of substance use. Matt Southwell is a high-level advocate, technical advisor and drug user activist. He was one of the UK’s first generation of harm reduction workers in the late 1980s founding the pioneering and award-winning Healthy Options Team (HOT). In 1999 Mat decided to come out publicly as a drug user on a BBC documentary leading to dismissal from his position in the NHS Drug Services and the loss of his successful private consulting firm. Since this time Mat has supported drug user organisations and led different drug user networks from the local to the global level. Mat is currently Project Manager for the European Network of People who Use Drugs (EuroNPUD). Is the UK on its way to opening first official drug injection sites? How can one influence police officials and politicians to lobby for a positive change? How effective are these solutions in preventing drug related deaths?Tune in to listen to this highly insightful and simply important episode.  EuroNPUDSupervised Injection FacilitiesHarm reductioncoActOverdose Prevention CentresNeedle and syringe programmesReducing drug-related harms in Sandwell: the need and feasibility of an overdose prevention serviceOpioid agonist therapyMethadone BuprenorphineDiamorphine (Heroin-assisted treatment)Drug Science Enhanced Harm Reduction Working Group Illicit drugs classification in the UKPeter KrykantCAS Baluard BarcelonaDrug consumption rooms ★ Support this podcast ★

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 therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs among fellow students. Tune in to the episode to find out about their journeys into the world of Drug Science and how to get involved yourself!  Get in touch with the Student Society Network! Find out more about the Drug Science Student Society Network Psychedelics in Medicine Podcast SerotoninNeuroscientifically ChallengedPsilocybin LSDBen SessaMDMAMDMA and psychotherapy in alcohol dependence treatmentBrain on LSD imagingPsycareDrugs Harm ScaleProject Twenty21Drug Science Student Society NetworkBrain and Mind Made Simple by David NuttUK Patient Conference: Medical Cannabis Awareness Week 2022Medical cannabis awareness week Anything Can HappenSecondary School Education ResourcesTransform DrugsAnyone’s ChildMisuse of Drugs Act 1971Harm Reduction ★ Support this podcast ★

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?’ reads the title of his first book, listen to this week’s episode to find out the answer!Should All Drugs Be LegalizedMexican drug warMedical cannabisOaxaca Awakn Life Sciences GroupIbogaineAyahuascaPsilocybin Jamaican Psilocybin RetreatsMaria SabinaPeyoteR. Gordon Wasson“Seeking the Magic Mushroom” by Gordon WassonMezcal CocaineThe Peyote DanceAldous Huxley‘I’m a lighter me’: Can Mike Tyson and psychedelics help boxers with brain trauma?Hunter S. TompsonMexico’s Supreme Court rules personal marijuana possession legal, againJoaquín "El Chapo" GuzmánJalisco New Generation CartelDutch Ecstasy “Shop”MDMALSD could help alcoholics stop drinking, AA founder believedMick Lynch ★ Support this podcast ★

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 Young Minds to stories on hunted UFOs.  ★ Support this podcast ★