This week’s episode features yet another great speaker at the ESPD55 conference Mark Plotkin, an ethnobotanist, advocate for tropical forest conservation and the host of Plants of the Gods podcast. Following research at Harvard under Richard Evans Schultes and years of working in a close relationship with the native communities of Amazonia, Mark with …
Authors Anne K Schlag, Jacob Aday, Iram Salam, Jo C Neill, David J Nutt Published February 3, 2022 Psychedelic medicines are a rapidly developing area of clinical research and public health policy. Despite an increasing body of studies highlighting their efficacy to treat a broad range of medical conditions, psychedelic drugs remain a controversial issue …
What is ayahuasca? Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew originating from the Amazon, originally used by indigenous populations and later involved for local syncretic purposes. Since it’s origins, ayahuasca has spread across the world and has developed a more varied list of uses. The two hallmark ingredients of ayahuasca are: 1) the leaves of the Psychotria …
A fascinating Q&A on the ethical and philosophical considerations in psychedelic science and explanations of the psychedelic experience. Prof David Nutt David is a leading Neuroscientist and drug policy reform advocate. Formerly the Chief Drug Advisor to the UK government he is currently the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and director of the …
A personal Q&A from two patients of psychedelic therapy: Psilocybin for depression – Michael Bourne Michael Bourne is a 57-year-old website designer from the North East of England, who tried several unsuccessful depression treatments, including talking therapy and prescription medications, before turning to psilocybin clinical trials. Michael took part in research into psilocybin treatment …
What Is Ayahuasca? The word ayahuasca is derived from the phrase “vine of the dead”, or “vine of the soul” in Quechuan languages – succinctly capturing its mystical and spiritual role in South American cultures. Ayahuasca is a psychedelic plant brew composed of two primary ingredients: 1) Banisteriopsis caapi and 2) Psychotria viridis. N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), …
In this Drug Science webinar, we learn how ayahuasca may be helpful in the treatment of addiction, trauma, and anger issues from addiction recovery coach Mark Drax, who describes the efficacy of ayahuasca to treat sex addiction. From the age of 3, Mark Drax’ childhood was riddled with physical abuse both in his home and …
This is the full recording of our 4th Women in Psychedelic Science event, hosted in June. Featuring experts working at the cutting edge of psychedelic science and in related fieldwork. Psychedelic medicine: from lab findings to therapeutic applications Dr Kim Kuypers Kim PC Kuypers (PhD) is affiliated as an Associate Professor with Maastricht University, Faculty …
This week’s episode features Dr Gabor Maté, a Hungarian-Canadian physician who’s main interests include childhood development and trauma, and their impact on lifelong physical and mental health. Professor Nutt and Dr Maté talk about the inseparable nature of our body and mind. How do they affect each other? How can psychedelics offer therapeutic potential …
This is the second Women in Psychedelic Science symposium to showcase the ground-breaking and outstanding work of women in psychedelics. The symposium provides a clinical perspective of psychedelic therapy, as well as developments in psychedelic fieldwork. Psychedelic therapy – Clinical trials: Dr Sara Tai A clinical psychologist and expert in psychotherapy in clinical trials …
Ayahuasca has been used as a medicine in Mesoamerican ceremonies for thousands of years, but the primary psychoactive compound, DMT, was not synthesised until 1931. DMT was studied during the wave of psychedelic research in the 1950s and 60s until research was banned in 1971 by the Convention of Psychotropic Substances. Ayahuasca was not included …
The tables have been turned in this one-off special of the Drug Science podcast. In this episode, Professor David Nutt is interviewed by renowned singer-songwriter – Joss Stone. Professor Nutt is the Chair of the Drug Science Scientific Committee and currently the Edmund J Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and Head of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit at …
From an early age, Mitch Schultz’s curiosity of the unknown universe forged his path in storytelling. His work as a transmedia producer, UX designer, and educator explores the inherent connections among consciousness, nature, culture, and the evolving human mythology. The Documentary ‘From Shock to Awe’ asks, “how do we heal our deepest wounds?”. This film …
War continues to hurt people long after the fighting has stopped. Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress often self-medicate with alcohol or they are prescribed a cocktail of anti-depressants and opioids. This story is far too common for Nathan Pohl, A US veteran who served 2000 days of deployment in multiple combat zones. Nathan was not …
This episode of the Drug Science podcast offers a unique insight into the personal accounts of veterans Jesse Gould and Keith Abrahams. From the Afghan war zone to the Peruvian Jungle, these two have dedicated themselves to helping support their fellow brothers and sisters in arms. After being deployed in Afghanistan three times, Jesse Gould …
Dr Simon Ruffell was a psychiatrist working for the NHS to help stabilise child soldier’s mental health. Years later, a research project to South America exposed Dr Ruffell to the world of shamanistic healing using the entheogenic brew commonly made out of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis shrub. Whilst in South America, …