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At Drug Science we like to cover different topics relating to drugs. These topics cover the many different ways that psychoactive substances have an impact on our culture and society.
David Nutt
Mar 52 min read
Psychedelics at the Vatican
When the email invite came I thought it was a hoax so I contacted Wolf Singer – another neuroscientist. He reassured me it was for real, an
Clive Bates
Feb 256 min read
Irresponsible publicity related to an unpublished vaping study
On the 26th of February 2025, Clive Bates wrote to an academic at Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Maxime Boidin, about generating irr
David Nutt
Feb 111 min read
Drug development in psychiatry: 50 years of failure and how to resuscitate it
The past 50 years have seen remarkable advances in the science of medicine. The pharmacological treatments of disorders such as hypertension
David Nutt
Jan 291 min read
MDMA-assisted therapy: challenges, clinical trials, and the future of MDMA in treating behavioral disorders
Despite recent setbacks for the clinical application of MDMA, the chapter argues that it holds potential for transforming psychiatry and
Petra Salisbury and Darren Hill
Jan 81 min read
Who's asking me? Service user perspectives on safer injecting facilities
This paper discusses the topic of safer injecting facilities with those who are likely to use them. Whilst more countries are adopting this
David J Nutt, Peter Hunt, Anne Katrin Schlag and Paul Fitzgerald
Dec 18, 20241 min read
The Australia story: Current status and future challenges for the clinical applications of psychedelics
The past decade has seen a huge increase in clinical research with psychedelic drugs and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Phil Dalgarno and Steve O’Rawe
Oct 28, 20241 min read
The Glasgow drug consumption room: A job half done?
This article discusses the introduction of the safe drug consumption facility in Glasgow and considers some of its potential consequences.
Medical cannabis could save NHS £4 billion each year
Allowing medical cannabis to be prescribed on the NHS for chronic pain could save the state healthcare provider almost £4 billion annually,
Hallie Heeg, Ana Morari, Michael Lynskey and John JD Turner
Sep 24, 20242 min read
An exploration of medical professionals’ attitudes, perceived knowledge and concerns around medical cannabis in the United Kingdom
In the UK, there are over 40,000 specialist clinicians who are eligible to prescribe cannabis-based medical products (CBMPs); however, only
Kimberly I Chew and Jacqueline L von Salm
Sep 24, 20241 min read
Compliance in the laboratory: Navigating the Controlled Substances Act and Federal Analogue Act in scientific research
This paper delves into the crucial yet complex relationship between federal laws and scientific research, centering on the Controlled Substa
David J Nutt, Tadeusz Hawrot, Peter Hunt and Anne Katrin Schlag
Sep 24, 20243 min read
Allaying the fears: Midomafetamine with therapy is a medicine
MDMA (now called midomafetamine by the FDA) is a substituted amphetamine first synthesised in 1912 by Merck that has been developed over the
James Bunn
Sep 2, 20243 min read
Drug Science and University College London Collaboration: Advancing MDMA-Assisted Therapy
Drug Science and UCL are pleased to announce their collaboration aimed at advancing our understanding of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.
Alkyoni Anthanasiou-Fragkouli
Sep 2, 20242 min read
Key Achievements of T21
Since its inception in 2019, T21 has strived to create the largest body of evidence for the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis, providi
Sally Turner
Aug 30, 202411 min read
Nitrous-Oxide: What is it good for?
Discovered in 1722 by Dr Joseph Priestley, nitrous oxide (N2O) is now an essential medicine and a popular recreational drug.
Jai Whelan, Geoff Noller, and Ryan D Ward
Aug 18, 20242 min read
3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) consumption in Aotearoa New Zealand: A quantitative survey exploration
The prevalence of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) consumption is relatively high in Aotearoa New Zealand, but MDMA use has not been
Prof David Nutt, Tadeusz Hawrot, Peter Hunt, and Dr Anne Katrin Schlag
Aug 6, 202425 min read
Allaying the fears: MDMA with therapy is a medicine
MDMA has been developed over the past 30 years by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies as a novel treatment for PTSD.
James Bunn
Jul 31, 20242 min read
Suicidal Ideation in Medicinal Cannabis Patients: A 12-Month Prospective Study
To document the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation (SI) among individuals seeking cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs); to
Prof Fiona Measham and Adam Waugh
Jun 24, 20246 min read
“SIZE MATTERS”: High strength ecstasy pills are back, so harm reduction communications need to adapt
Average pill strength has increased in 2024, back to pre-pandemic levels
Dr Apo Aporosa
Jun 24, 20248 min read
Kava Myths and Misunderstandings
Regardless of kava’s subtle effects and lack of safety concern, kava continues to be misunderstood and misrepresented.
Dr Apo Aporosa
Jun 24, 20246 min read
What is Kava?
Unlike most substances reviewed at Drug Science, kava is not simply a drug, but inclusive of wider cultural understandings.
Prof David Nutt and Prof Jo Neill
Jun 21, 20246 min read
Doubt it not, MDMA is a medicine
The AdCom was asked to make a binary yes-no vote on both the efficacy and benefit-risk of MDMA, with scores of 9-2 and 10-1 against for each
Wim van den Brink
Jun 19, 20244 min read
Report of the Dutch State Committee on MDMA: A summary of findings and recommendations
On June 6, 2024, the Dutch State Committee MDMA presented its report entitled “MDMA: Beyond ecstasy” to the Dutch Minister of Medical Care.
Michael Lynskey
Jun 17, 20242 min read
Prescribed Medical Cannabis Use Among Older Individuals: Patient Characteristics and Improvements in Well‑Being: Findings from T21
There are important differences between individuals aged 65+ years and younger individuals receiving cannabis-based medicinal products. Olde
Alkyoni Anthanasiou-Fragkouli
Jun 6, 20242 min read
Prescribed Medicinal Cannabis for the Treatment of Chronic Pain Comorbid with Depression: Real World Evidence from Project Twenty21
Chronic pain is one of the most common conditions for which people seek treatment with cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) and there i
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