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The Drug Science Podcast

The Drug Science Podcast

Drug Science 155 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

Professor David Nutt presents a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. The podcast explores the actual harms and potential benefits of various drugs, challenging myths surrounding classification and legislation. It examines the societal impact of poorly informed drug policy and advocates for using scientific evidence in public policy. This podcast is for anyone interested in understanding the scientific truth about drugs, free from political or moral concern.

Episodes

155. The History of Schizophrenia with Justin Garson
155. The History of Schizophrenia with Justin Garson Jul 22, 2026 2838 In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Dr Hannah Thurgur speaks with Dr Justin Garson, professor of philosophy at CUNY and the author of The Madness Pill, a history of Professor Solomon Snyder and the biological understanding of schizophrenia. He outlines the significant shift to biological paradigms of mental health treatment in the 80s and its ramifications for psychiatry decades
154. Is Medical Cannabis Over-Prescribed? with Dr Andy Barker
154. Is Medical Cannabis Over-Prescribed? with Dr Andy Barker Jul 8, 2026 3138  Join us in this episode as Prof Nutt speaks with Dr Andy Barker, a senior psychiatrist, medical cannabis prescriber, and the co-founder of This Native Mind. Andy shares his journey into medical cannabis, detailing the regulatory process for prescribers entering the field. He goes on to discuss the outcomes he’s seen in his own patients, contrasted against backlash from GPs, non-patients,
153. Psychedelics, Couples and Sex with Sarah Tilley
153. Psychedelics, Couples and Sex with Sarah Tilley Jun 24, 2026 2560 In this episode, we speak with Sarah Tilley, a couple’s therapy pioneer and the CEO and founder of Beautiful Space, a provider of psilocybin programmes for couples. She details how her own divorce led her to this work, emphasizing that issues between couples become emotionally taxing on their children, manifesting in poor mental health and wellbeing. Sarah discusses how she has seen psilo
152. Cocaine and Alcohol with David Hillier
152. Cocaine and Alcohol with David Hillier Jun 10, 2026 2289 In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Prof Nutt speaks with David Hillier, a journalist and the creator of the Substack WHAT ARE YOU ON. David  Hillier has been writing about drug culture and mental health for 12 years and shares his journey into the drugs and harm reduction space, describing how a feature he wrote on The Loop cemented the topic as a broader journalistic focus. The
151. Francis Crick: From DNA to the Brain with Prof Matthew Cobb
151. Francis Crick: From DNA to the Brain with Prof Matthew Cobb May 27, 2026 3453 In this episode, we speak to Prof Matthew Cobb, professor of zoology at the University of Manchester and author of Crick: A Mind in Motion, which profiles Francis Crick. Matthew shares insights into his own academic background in neurobiology and evolution, explaining the motivation behind his latest book. He delves into the collaborative approaches that fueled Crick's work and explains t
150. Synthetic Alcohol with David Orren
150. Synthetic Alcohol with David Orren May 13, 2026 3432 Join us in this episode of the Drug Science Podcast as Prof Jo Neill speaks with David Orren, CEO of GABA Labs, which has pioneered functional drinks with SENTIA Spirits. David recounts his initial communication with David Nutt and emphasises their shared mission to speak to younger generations’ desires for less harmful alternatives to alcohol. He touches on the neurological underpinnings
149. Psilocybin for Cancer with Dr Lauren Macdonald
149. Psilocybin for Cancer with Dr Lauren Macdonald Apr 29, 2026 3276 In this episode, we speak to Dr Lauren Macdonald, a psychiatrist, psychedelic therapist, and group retreat facilitator. She details her path to psychedelics, in particular her cancer diagnosis that left her with existential dread that she felt fully dissipate only after a psychedelic experience. She goes on to discuss her interest in group retreats and treating existential distress. Befor
148. Sleep, Dreams and Sigmund Freud with Prof Mark Solms
148. Sleep, Dreams and Sigmund Freud with Prof Mark Solms Apr 15, 2026 3246 Join us in this episode as Prof Nutt speaks to Prof Mark Solms, a leading expert on Freud and author of the new book The Only Cure. Mark details his early fascination with neuropsychology that led him to study the neurological underpinnings of sleep and dreams. He explains how some of his own research lent more credence to Freud’s claims and deepened his interest in psychoanalysis. Mark c
147. Rewarding the Human Mind with Dr Harriet De Wit
147. Rewarding the Human Mind with Dr Harriet De Wit Apr 1, 2026 2528 Join us in this episode as we speak to Dr Harriet de Witt, professor of psychiatry and neuropharmacology at the University of Chicago. She shares how she fell in love with the field, studying the animal model of self-administration, and how that work fed into her later research with human participants. As a leading expert on the pharmacology of MDMA, she explores the subtle differences be
146. Vaping in Schools with Hannah Dawes and Dr Rachael Andrews
146. Vaping in Schools with Hannah Dawes and Dr Rachael Andrews Mar 18, 2026 3229 Join us in this episode as we speak to Dr. Rachel Andrews, an addiction and harm reduction researcher at the University of Bath, and Hannah Dawes, a PSHE teacher and the creator of the podcast The Exchange. The conversation focuses on the prevalence of vaping in schools, particularly exploring the ways in which vapes have been marketed to children and the patterns of use in schools. Rache
145. Psychedelics, Power and the Price of Healing with Erica Rex
145. Psychedelics, Power and the Price of Healing with Erica Rex Mar 4, 2026 2219 In this episode of the Drug Science Podcast, Prof Nutt speaks with Erica Rex, author of the book Seeing What is There, which explores the complex history of psychedelic therapy. She shares her own experiences with psychedelic-assisted therapy, while providing context on the guardrails that are necessary for these treatments to maximize benefits and minimize harms. Viewing psychedelics as
144. On Drugs: Philosophy, Consciousness and Sobriety with Justin Smith-Ruiu
144. On Drugs: Philosophy, Consciousness and Sobriety with Justin Smith-Ruiu Feb 18, 2026 1434 In this episode, we’re joined by Justin Smith-Ruiu, a philosopher at Université Paris Cité and the author of On Drugs. He discusses his motivations behind the book, rooted in his early experiences with psychedelics and the many cultural roles he has seen them play across different contexts. As the conversation unfolds, Smith-Ruiu reflects on his decision to quit drinking in favor of psych

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