The Drug Science Podcast

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4.3K - 7.2K listeners Neutral 4.9 rating 289 reviews 132 episodes United Kingdom

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Professor David Nutt has spent a career making the argument for a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. The scientific evidence still challenges perceived wisdom on drugs and for that reason can appear to be contentious. In this podcast, the Professor explores the actual harms and potential benefits of various drugs, challenging myths surrounding classification and legislation, and exploring the societal impact of poorly informed drug policy. Using evidence in public policy should not be controversial. A podcast for anyone interested in understanding the scientific truth about drugs, free from political or moral concern.

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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on The Drug Science Podcast.

Hosts

David Nutt Professor David Nutt

Previous Guests

Natalia Rebollo

Natalia Rebollo is a prominent figure at the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service (ICEERS). She has dedicated her career to exploring the intersection of indigenous knowledge and modern science, particularly in the context of plant medicines and psychedelics. Her work focuses on advocating for the rights of indigenous communities and promoting the responsible use of sacred substances.

Jess Alonso Olamendi

Jess Alonso Olamendi is an expert associated with ICEERS, where she works on initiatives that bridge the gap between indigenous practices and contemporary psychedelic research. Her efforts are aimed at preserving the cultural significance of plant medicines while addressing the challenges posed by commodification and colonial legacies in the psychedelic space.

Dr Tim Kerr

Dr Tim Kerr is a doctoral research student in Psychiatry at Kings College London. He has a background in medicine and has experienced drug addiction firsthand, which led to his arrest and imprisonment. During his time in an open prison, he pursued higher education, specifically a Neuroscience master's degree, with the support of the Longford Trust, a charity that helps individuals with lived experience of prison access educational opportunities.

Dr Laurie Higbed

Dr Laurie Higbed is a leading expert in psychedelic psychotherapy, focusing on the therapeutic applications of psychedelics in treating mental health conditions. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in clinical settings, Dr Higbed has contributed to research on the efficacy of psychedelics such as MDMA and Psilocybin in addressing issues like trauma and addiction.

Dr Owain Winfield

Dr Owain Winfield is a prominent figure in the field of psychedelic therapy, specializing in the integration of psychedelics into psychotherapeutic practices. He has a strong academic background and has been involved in various studies exploring the use of psychedelics for mental health treatment, including PTSD and substance misuse disorders.

Dr Bessel van der Kolk

Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a renowned trauma-based psychiatrist, author, researcher, and educator. He has been a pioneer in the field of post-traumatic stress research since the 1970s. Dr van der Kolk is the author of several influential books, including the best-seller 'The Body Keeps the Score', which explores the profound impact of trauma on the body and brain. His work emphasizes the importance of understanding trauma and its effects, as well as advocating for various treatment modalities, including EMDR and MDMA, to help individuals recover from traumatic experiences.

Prof Philip Cowen

Prof Philip Cowen is a prominent psychopharmacologist known for his research on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying mood disorders, particularly depression. He has contributed significantly to the understanding of serotonin's role in mood regulation and the effects of antidepressants. His work has been influential in shaping modern psychopharmacology and treatment approaches for depression.

Dr Sameer Jauhar

Dr Sameer Jauhar is a psychiatrist with expertise in the treatment of mood disorders, including depression. He has a background in clinical research and has focused on the efficacy of various treatment modalities for depression, including pharmacological and psychotherapeutic approaches. Dr. Jauhar is known for his contributions to understanding the stigma surrounding mental health treatment and advocating for evidence-based practices in psychiatry.

Topics Discussed

decolonisation plant medicine psychedelic culture colonialism sacredness commodification ICEERS Ayahuasca Defense Fund DMT Ibogaine legal battle Colombia's CND68 Resolution Spanish Ibogaine Trial drug addiction Neuroscience psychiatry prison higher education Longford Trust alcoholic liver disease jaundice ecstasy ketamine cocaine nitrous oxide GHB spice weed venlafaxine modafinil Alcoholics Anonymous Psychedelic therapy MDMA Ketamine Psilocybin psychotherapy trauma addictions Substance Misuse PTSD MAPS Substance Use Disorder Treatment Resistant Depression post-traumatic stress EMDR neuroplasticity traditional treatments alternative treatments depression neuroscience antidepressants serotonin tryptophan Hamilton depression scale psychedelics stigma

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Followers: 12,047

Posts: 274

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Biography

🇬🇧UK’s leading independent scientific body on drugs
📖Established by Prof David Nutt in 2010
🥼Unbiased and evidence-based information on drugs

Links

https://linktr.ee/DrugScience

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on The Drug Science Podcast.

0:00 1:00:28

129. Decolonising Plant Medicine with ICEERS

May 07, 2025

David Nutt

Natalia Rebollo Jess Alonso Olamendi

decolonisation plant medicine psychedelic culture colonialism sacredness commodification ICEERS Ayahuasca Defense Fund DMT Ibogaine legal battle Colombia's CND68 Resolution Spanish Ibogaine Trial

In this latest episode of the Drug Science Podcast, we talk with Natalia Rebollo and Jess Alonso Olamendi of the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service (ICEERS). They discuss the lasting legacy of colonialism in the psychedelic culture of indigenous communities, stressing the need for the sacredness of these substances to be uplifted and not commodified. Throughout, they explore their work with ICEERs Ayahuasca Defense Fund and how it has begun to change the narrative surrounding psychedelics in prohibitionist countries. Operating between indigenous communities and the Western world, they provide a unique perspective that shows how both communities can learn from each other.

ICEERS

Ayahuasca Defense Fund

Ayahuasca

DMT

Ayahuasca Legal Battle in France

Technical Report on Ayahuasca

Colombia's CND68 Resolution

Ibogaine

Spanish Ibogaine Trial

Contact Email

Support this podcast

ICEERS

Ayahuasca Defense Fund

Ayahuasca

DMT

Ayahuasca Legal Battle in France

Technical Report on Ayahuasca

Colombia's CND68 Resolution

Ibogaine

Spanish Ibogaine Trial

Contact Email

Support this podcast

0:00 50:03

128. Former Doctor, Former Prisoner with Dr Tim Kerr

April 23, 2025

Professor David Nutt

Dr Tim Kerr

drug addiction Neuroscience psychiatry prison higher education Longford Trust alcoholic liver disease jaundice ecstasy ketamine cocaine nitrous oxide GHB spice weed venlafaxine modafinil Alcoholics Anonymous

Tune in to the latest episode of the drug science podcast where David Nutt meets with Tim Kerr, a doctoral research student in Psychiatry at King’s College London. Tim discusses his journey from slowly falling into drug addiction and dealing whilst studying for his medical degree eventually leading to arrest and imprisonment. Tim shares how he used this time in an open prison to apply for and study a Neuroscience masters with Kings College London with the support of the Longford trust, a charity that supports people with lived experience of prison to access higher education.

The Longford Trust

Howard League for Penal Reform

NHS Practitioner Health

Alcoholic liver disease

Open and closed Prison

Alcoholics Anonymous

★ Support this podcast ★

0:00 45:01

127. Psychedelic Therapy in the UK with Dr Laurie Higbed and Dr Owain Winfield

April 09, 2025

Professor David Nutt

Dr Laurie Higbed Dr Owain Winfield

Psychedelic therapy MDMA Ketamine Psilocybin psychotherapy trauma addictions Substance Misuse PTSD MAPS Substance Use Disorder Treatment Resistant Depression

Join us in the latest episode of the Drug Science Podcast where David Nutt meets with Psychedelic psychotherapy experts Laurie Higbed and Owain Winfield to dive into how to use psychedelics in psychotherapy. In this episode, they discuss the different techniques used with different psychedelics for different conditions to optimise this type of therapy and why these differences are necessary. They discuss MDMA, Ketamine and Psilocybin in a range of applications including trauma and addictions.

MDMA study into Substance Use Disorder

Compass Pathways

Compass Pathways Psilocybin for Treatment Resistant Depression

Awakn life sciences

Amygdala

Link in show notes

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0:00 41:54

126. The body keeps the score with Dr Bessel van der Kolk

March 26, 2025

Professor David Nutt

Dr Bessel van der Kolk

trauma post-traumatic stress EMDR MDMA neuroplasticity traditional treatments alternative treatments

In this episode, we meet with Bessel van Der kolk, a trauma based psychiatrist, author, researcher and educator. Since the 1970s his research has been in the area of post-traumatic stress and he is the author of four books including best seller “the body keeps score”. Within this episode, he dives into what trauma is and different research into the impact trauma can have on the body and brain. He further discusses various traditional and alternative treatments for trauma and where these may be appropriate for different people with specific emphasis on EMDR and MDMA.

The body keeps score

Nutt's paper lancet psychiatry 50 years of failure

When the spirit catches you, you fall down

Neuroplasticity

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0:00 33:19

125. The 5-HT hypothesis of depression with Prof Philip Cowen and Dr Sameer Jauhar

March 12, 2025

Professor David Nutt

Prof Philip Cowen Dr Sameer Jauhar

depression neuroscience antidepressants serotonin tryptophan Hamilton depression scale psychedelics stigma

In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, David Nutt meets with psychopharmacologist Phil Cowen and Psychiatrist Sameer Jauhar to discuss the neuroscience behind and treatments for depression. Within the episode they touch on various neurotransmitters involved in depression as well as research studies into each of their impact, stigma around antidepressants and the role of psychedelics in treatment.

Depression

Serotonin

Tryptophan

Hamilton depression scale

Antidepressants

Geddes paper on preventing relapse

Support the Podcast

★ Support this podcast ★