Support our Podcast
Support our podcast campaign
Our podcast is one way we can get truthful information about drug out into the world. Each episode has been downloaded a whopping 3,500 times, plus about 11,000 streams!
In total, the Drug Science Podcast has been downloaded over 500,000 times! One episode stands up above the rest, as our most popular episode of all time – DMT with Chris Timmermann and Chloe Sakal.
Now on over 80 episodes, we’re immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved and all the inspiring guests we’ve had over the past four years. But we’re not about to stop there. With your help, we can keep creating new episodes and share them far and wide to help more people understand the truth about drugs. We really cannot do it without you.
“If you had told me back when we started the Drug Science podcast that less that four years later we would have 79 podcast episodes under our belt, I might not have believed you – yet here we are! I want to thank you for supporting our podcast. And do make sure you keep telling others about it too! It’s an important way of getting the truth about drugs out there.
Professor David Nutt
Founder of Drug Science
Drug Information
Currently spanning 39 entries, our drug information pages are expansive and cover some of the most widely used drugs in modern society. However, there are many more substances that we want to highlight. We want to expand these pages to become a trusted encyclopaedia for honest, science-based drug information - with new entries and videos to bring the content to life.
Podcast
Help support us to make more episodes of the Drug Science Podcast. Professor David Nutt has been recording the show over the past 3 years with some of the world's leading experts in drug science, policy and law. We want to continue producing the show that you love and in 2023, we will be hosting live podcast events open to Community Members and supporters.
Events
This academic year, we will surpass an incredible 20 events, from in-person book launches and university lectures to our annual Student Psychedelic Conference and free Street Drugs Discussions webinar series. In the year ahead, we will continue bringing the Drug Science mission to different parts of the UK, with all events free to attend for our community members.
Educational Modules
We have 21 educational modules, all completely free to download and we’re not stopping there. We want to create more resources, aimed at helping healthcare professionals, students and young adults to learn the facts when it comes to drugs. It’s time we gave drug education a makeover! By supporting Drug Science you are helping to disseminate free, evidence-based information.
Students
With university societies from all around the world, the Drug Science Student Society Network is bigger than ever. But we’re only just getting started. Our ambition is to engage more closely during Freshers Weeks and throughout the year, supporting students and their respective societies with resources and information about drug science and how they can help us beat the stigma about drugs with science!
Books
Professor David Nutt has published over 35 books in his long career and it doesn't seem like he will be slowing down any time soon. Drug Science is committed to supporting the dissemination of these books, as well as adding to the list with new releases, plus launch events to celebrate with our community! We have published books on drug policy, cannabis, psychedelics and much more.
People beating stigma with science
Teaching the future generation – Steve Clare, SCADA
I’ve been a freelance PSHE teacher for 13 years, specialising in harm reduction lessons on alcohol & other drugs. Sensationalist tabloid headlines used in the early years have long since been replaced with evidence-based advice & data from highly credible sources including Drug Science.
I’m an ex-Licensee (ran bars & nightclubs) & still occasionally manage bars at specialist events. My background gives me credibility, as do the pragmatic messages & learning outcomes of my lessons – some drink underage &/or choose to use other drugs, neither of which I support or condone. Students highly value this honest approach that includes sharing harm reduction strategies. They listen, feel safe to ask insightful & challenging questions; most importantly they’re engaged.
Curiosity about all the stigma – Nikol Naydenova, Drug Science Honorary Research Assistant
Having grown up in a household where drugs were not considered a taboo, I was always very open to learning, asking, and talking about drugs. This was a blessing and a curse, as unfortunately the majority of people’s experience is the other way around. My openness to drugs eventually transformed into a curiosity into why there was such a strong aversion to understanding the true reasons why people take drugs and the potential benefits they may have.
Creating better teaching resources – Hannah Dawes, school teacher (Head of PSHE)
Last year, The Exchange launched a series of free resources that were designed and disseminated with the help of Drug Science. This followed a successful web series on The Science of Drugs, where I interviewed David Nutt, together with Drug Science team members Rayyan Zafar and Anya Agarwal. The resources have since been used by schools across the UK to help inform an evidenced-based discussion around substances.
I am really excited to be working with Drug Science again to create a series of three lessons on The Science of Nicotine. As a Head of PSHE, I am only too aware of the shortage of evidence-based resources when it comes to the tricky subjects. Tobacco was brought to Europe from the Americas five centuries ago. It is now considered the world’s single biggest cause of preventable death, yet many schools are not equipped with evidence-based resources to teach about this drug effectively.
Taking matters into my own hands – AJ Martin, SSDP Imperial College President
Engaging in the drug science and policy space has given me a sense of purpose. It has allowed me to use my scientific expertise for a greater good; not driven by profit or prestige, but for the health and wellbeing of young people. I have unfortunately seen addiction affect people close to me, so being active in changing the UK paradigm on drugs is incredibly important. The increase in drug-related deaths observed since the blanket ban introduced by the Psychoactive Substances Act in 2016 signifies that current UK drug policy is not fit for purpose. Therefore, I feel implored to take matters into my own hands.
Working with Drug Science – Joanna Vamvakopoulou, Drug Science Student Society Network
I have been volunteering for the student Drug Science sector since 2019, during 3rd year of BSc, helping organise events and talks regarding the application of mind-altering substances in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and drug policies. I first learnt about Drug Science by attending Prof Nutt’s talk on the clinical potential of psychedelics at the University of Bristol. This talk played a vital role in my decision to pursue a career in neuropsychopharmacology research. Drug Science provided me with an abundance of resources at the time, allowing me to get a better understanding of the field and its political context. The University of Bristol, at this time, did not have a Drug Science student society, like many UK universities have now, so being involved in the Drug Science student community allowed me to meet like-minded individuals who were as passionate as I was about the world of drugs and their potential in treatment.
A few of our favourite episodes
Which is your favourite podcast episode? We asked some of the Drug Science team and network to get the inside scoop on some of their favourite moments over the past four years of the Drug Science podcast.
Rayyan Zafar
Research Officer
Crack Cocaine with Prof Carl Hart
“Carl Hart is a pioneer in bringing to the foreground the socio-political elements of neuropsychopharmacology. He has boldly come out of the closet for personal drug use and brings to the foreground the intersection of drugs, science and race. Carl demonstrates the boldness and courage needed to be part of the evidence-based drug science ethos.”
Dr Anne Schlag
Acting CEO
Underground Therapy with Dr Friederike Meckel Fischer
“It is so important to remember that the burgeoning field of psychedelic science stands on the shoulders of giants, some of whom have surrendered their reputation and freedom to continue the work which we now see blossoming globally. Friede is one of these giants. Both her work and life story are truly inspiring- we have so much to learn from her experience and wisdom, some of which is shared in this wonderful podcast episode.”
James Bunn
Head of Operations
Why People Don’t Like Science? with Robin Ince
“One of the standout qualities of this podcast episode is Robin Ince’s insightful commentary. With his signature wit and intellect, Robin analyses the multifaceted reasons that contribute to the public’s aversion towards science. He highlights the inherent human biases, cognitive dissonance, and the impact of misinformation, painting a comprehensive picture of the challenges faced by scientific communicators. Robin’s expertise and engaging storytelling captivate the audience, encouraging them to think critically about the underlying reasons for scepticism towards scientific findings.”
Consider becoming a community member
If you are able to commit to a monthly contribution please consider becoming a Community Member.
Our Community Members allow us to do what we do best, present evidence-based information free from commercial bias. Please consider signing up to support rigorous and data-driven information on drugs, informing people about the harms and healing potential of psychoactive substances.