The Drug Science 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 ★

2 Aug 202348min

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 ★

19 Jul 202344min

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 ★

5 Jul 20231h

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 ★

21 Jun 202343min

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 ★

7 Jun 202355min

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 ★

24 Mai 20231h 2min

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 ★

10 Mai 20231h 1min

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 ★

26 Apr 202343min