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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.
Poppy seed addiction: A brewing crisis? A novel case series examining patterns, perceptions and potential risks associated with excessive poppy seed use
The increasing incidence of opioid dependence linked to the consumption of unwashed poppy seeds (UPSs) is an emerging public health concern.
Do undergraduates’ views of psychedelics relate to the context for psychedelic use?
The increasing incidence of opioid dependence linked to the consumption of unwashed poppy seeds (UPSs) is an emerging public health concern.
Dose-response relationship between blood concentrations of THC and crash culpability risk: An updated meta-regression of culpability studies
A recent meta-analysis in Drug Science, Policy and Law on the risk associated with the detection of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood and
Matthew A Albrecht Razi Hasan Damir Kekez and Huaqiong Zhou
Mar 271 min read
Ukraine Opens the Door to Psychedelic Research: A First Legal Framework Emerges
Last week, the Ukrainian Ministry of Health took an important step toward enabling scientific research with psychedelics.
Tadeusz Hawrot
Mar 273 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
David Nutt
Mar 52 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Irresponsible publicity related to an unpublished vaping study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
Clive Bates
Feb 266 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
Feb 121 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
David Nutt
Jan 301 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
Petra Salisbury and Darren Hill
Jan 81 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)
David J Nutt, Peter Hunt, Anne Katrin Schlag and Paul Fitzgerald
Dec 18, 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.
Phil Dalgarno and Steve O’Rawe
Oct 28, 20241 min read
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,
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
Hallie Heeg, Ana Morari, Michael Lynskey and John JD Turner
Sep 24, 20242 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
Kimberly I Chew and Jacqueline L von Salm
Sep 24, 20241 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
David J Nutt, Tadeusz Hawrot, Peter Hunt and Anne Katrin Schlag
Sep 24, 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.
James Bunn
Sep 3, 20243 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
Alkyoni Anthanasiou-Fragkouli
Sep 3, 20242 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.
Sally Turner
Aug 30, 202411 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
Jai Whelan, Geoff Noller, and Ryan D Ward
Aug 18, 20242 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.
Prof David Nutt, Tadeusz Hawrot, Peter Hunt, and Dr Anne Katrin Schlag
Aug 6, 202425 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
James Bunn
Jul 31, 20242 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
Prof Fiona Measham and Adam Waugh
Jun 25, 20246 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, 20248 min read
What is Kava?
Unlike most substances reviewed at Drug Science, kava is not simply a drug, but inclusive of wider cultural understandings.
Dr Apo Aporosa
Jun 24, 20246 min read
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