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Blog
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.


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

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 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


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

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


In defence of the decriminalisation of drug possession in the UK
Authors Alex Stevens, Niamh Eastwood and Kirstie Douse Published March 24, 2024 Abstract In this review article, we develop the case for...
Alex Stevens, Niamh Eastwood and more
Mar 24, 20241 min read


Childhood trauma, challenging experiences, and post traumatic growth in ayahuasca use
Authors Ksenia Cassidy, CJ Healy, Eva Henje and Wendy D’Andrea Published March 20, 2024 Abstract Challenging experiences in ayahuasca...
Ksenia Cassidy, Eva Henje and more
Mar 20, 20241 min read


Participation in an indigenous Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness – a pilot study
Authors Simon GD Ruffell, Sam Gandy, WaiFung Tsang, Rono Lopez, Nathan O’Rourke, Arsalan Akhtar, Nige Netzband, Jack Hollingdale, Daniel...
Simon Ruffell, Sam Gandy, and more
Feb 28, 20242 min read


A history of the European Medical Society for Psycholytic Therapy (EPT) 1964–1974
Authors Torsten Passie Published February 22, 2024 Abstract The emergence of a so-called psychedelic renaissance has been proposed to...
Torsten Passie
Feb 22, 20241 min read


Investigation of the household storage of medicines and disposal practices in Parklands sub-county in Nairobi, Kenya
Over time there has been an increase in access to medicine, leading to the bulk of drugs becoming unused and being kept at home.
Shreya Malde and Naumih Noah
Jan 31, 20242 min read


Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Cardio-metabolic health
Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns: Cardio-metabolic health. Race differences remain a critically understudied gap in psychedelic li
Sean Matthew Viña
Jan 9, 20241 min read


Counting and accounting for drug-related deaths at UK music festivals 2017–2023: A commentary
The exact number of drug-related deaths at UK music festivals in recent years is unknown, and there are no standard processes for reporting
Tom Cooney and Fiona Measham
Nov 21, 20231 min read


Decrypting the cryptomarkets: Trends over a decade of the Dark Web drug trade
The Dark Web is a subsection of the Internet only accessible through specific search engines, making it impossible to trace users.
Harjeev Kour Sudan, Jane Kim and more
Nov 19, 20232 min read


The impact of over the counter and prescription medication misuse on friends and family
Over the counter and prescription-only medication misuse is of concern. Little is known about the impact on friends/family who provide indiv
Rosalind Gittins, Roya Vaziri, and more
Nov 16, 20232 min read


From prohibited to prescribed: The rescheduling of MDMA and psilocybin in Australia
On February 3, 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, announced that on
Octavian Dixon Ritchie, Cameron Donley and more
Sep 7, 20231 min read

Racial and religious motives for drug criminalization
The world has a long-standing system of drug control intended to suppress the use of a range of psychoactive drugs on the basis that such us
Petter Grahl Johnstad
Sep 6, 20231 min read


MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with adolescents suffering from PTSD: Do or don’t? a qualitative study with youth, parents, and clinicians
PTSD in adolescence causes much suffering and has substantial health-care costs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perspective
Anoek Van Vugt, Josjan Zijlmans and more
Sep 2, 20231 min read
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