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.

Impact of the introduction of medical cannabis in the UK on risk perception and recreational use of cannabis: A longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis

Jon Waldron, Meryem Grabski, and more

Jul 10, 20232 min read

DSPL

Impact of the introduction of medical cannabis in the UK on risk perception and recreational use of cannabis: A longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis

Cannabis was rescheduled in the UK in November 2018 so that it can now be prescribed as a treatment for certain medical conditions.

Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns

Sean Viña and Amanda Stephens

Jun 23, 20231 min read

DSPL

Minorities’ diminished psychedelic returns

Although there is a growing support for the use of psychedelics to improve the health of marginalized groups, there are some critical gaps.

Italian psychedelic therapies of the past century: An historical overview

Adriana D’Arienzo and Giorgio Samorini

Jun 6, 20231 min read

DSPL

Italian psychedelic therapies of the past century: An historical overview

In recent years, the historical record of psychedelic therapy in Europe and the Americas has undergone considerable revision.

Cost-effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression: exploratory findings from a decision analytic model

Paul McCrone, Henry Fisher and more

Jun 2, 20232 min read

DSPL

Cost-effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression: exploratory findings from a decision analytic model

There is growing evidence to support the use of the psychedelic drug psilocybin for difficult-to-treat depression. This paper compares the c

Medicinal cannabis for pain: Real-world data on three-month changes in symptoms and quality of life

Kylie O’Brien, Justin Beilby and more

May 25, 20232 min read

DSPL

Medicinal cannabis for pain: Real-world data on three-month changes in symptoms and quality of life

Internationally, one of the most common conditions for which people seek medicinal cannabis (MC) is chronic pain. However, relatively little

Does the co-use of cannabis exacerbate the effect of alcohol on the risk of crashing? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Michael White and Nicholas Burns

May 25, 20231 min read

DSPL

Does the co-use of cannabis exacerbate the effect of alcohol on the risk of crashing? A systematic review and meta-analysis

ARC: a framework for access, reciprocity and conduct in psychedelic therapies

Meg Spriggs, Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner and more

May 11, 20232 min read

DSPL

ARC: a framework for access, reciprocity and conduct in psychedelic therapies

The field of psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) is growing at an unprecedented pace. The immense pressures this places on those working in t

Characteristics of and 3-month health outcomes for people seeking treatment with prescribed cannabis

Professor Michael Lynskey, Dr Anne Schlag and more

May 5, 20232 min read

DSPL

Characteristics of and 3-month health outcomes for people seeking treatment with prescribed cannabis

Medicinal cannabis has been legal in the UK since 2018 but there is limited information about characteristics of people seeking prescribed

A roadmap for psychedelic pharmacy in Canada

Jaden Brandt

Apr 26, 20231 min read

DSPL

A roadmap for psychedelic pharmacy in Canada

The unprecedented progress in the science and clinical investigation of psychedelic medicine will require those in healthcare leadership and

Decriminalisation of drug possession in Oregon: Analysis and early lessons

Kellen Russoniello, Sheila Vakharia and more

Apr 11, 20231 min read

DSPL

Decriminalisation of drug possession in Oregon: Analysis and early lessons

In November 2020, Oregon voters approved Measure 110, a ballot initiative that decriminalized possession of small quantities of all drugs an

The use of chlordiazepoxide for outpatient gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) detoxification: An observational study

Alfred Balston, Kuljit Hunjan and more

Apr 6, 20232 min read

DSPL

The use of chlordiazepoxide for outpatient gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) detoxification: An observational study

Various detoxification regimens are used for gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) and gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), including diazepam, barbiturates, ba

Medication sparing after medical cannabis initiation: A case study of a chronic pain patient in T21

Peter Sunderland, Professor David Nutt and more

Mar 14, 20232 min read

DSPL

Medication sparing after medical cannabis initiation: A case study of a chronic pain patient in T21

Authors Peter Sunderland, David J Nutt, and Anne Katrin Schlag Published March 14th, 2023 Prescribed cannabinoids are legal in the UK and...

The United Kingdom's Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Where are we now?

Christopher Humphries

Nov 14, 20221 min read

DSPL

The United Kingdom's Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. Where are we now?

Authors Christopher Humphries Published November 14th, 2022 This narrative review describes the background to the introduction of the UK...

Examining the gender dimension in the non-medical use of over the counter and prescription only medication

Rosalind Gittins, Joseph Tay Wee Teck, and more

Oct 26, 20222 min read

DSPL

Examining the gender dimension in the non-medical use of over the counter and prescription only medication

There is concern regarding gender differences in problematic non-medical over the counter (OTC) and/or prescription only medication (POM) us

Psychedelic use predicts objective knowledge about climate change via increases in nature relatedness

Christina Sagioglou and Matthias Forstmann

Oct 2, 20221 min read

DSPL

Psychedelic use predicts objective knowledge about climate change via increases in nature relatedness

Author Christina Sagioglou, Matthias Forstmann Published October 2, 2022 Abstract Lifetime psychedelic substance use has previously been...

A comparative study of the harms of nitrous oxide and poppers using the MCDA approach

Dr Anne Schlag, Professor David Nutt and more

Sep 23, 20222 min read

DSPL

A comparative study of the harms of nitrous oxide and poppers using the MCDA approach

Author Plinio M Ferreira, Adam R Winstock, Anne Katrin Schlag, Brigitta Brandner, David Nutt, Graeme Henderson, Ian Miller, Jan Van...

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the use of psilocybin by veterans with symptoms of trauma

FL Smith, JC Neill and more

Sep 7, 20221 min read

DSPL

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the use of psilocybin by veterans with symptoms of trauma

Author FL Smith, JC Neill and V Wainwright Published September 7, 2022 Abstract Veterans are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms...

How to read a paper on the short-term impairing effects of cannabis: A selective and critical review of the literature

Michael White and Nicholas Burns

Aug 15, 20222 min read

DSPL

How to read a paper on the short-term impairing effects of cannabis: A selective and critical review of the literature

Author Michael A White, Nicholas R Burns Published August 15, 2022 Abstract The prosecution of cannabis-presence driving offences (in the...

Comparative harms assessments for cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco: Risk for psychosis, cognitive impairment, and traffic accident

Petter Grahl Johnstad

Jul 25, 20222 min read

DSPL

Comparative harms assessments for cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco: Risk for psychosis, cognitive impairment, and traffic accident

Author Petter Grahl Johnstad Published July 25, 2022 Abstract Researchers have associated cannabis use with risk for psychosis, cognitive...

State naloxone co-prescribing laws show mixed effects on overdose mortality rates

MaryKate Duska, Jared Rhoads and more

Jul 25, 20221 min read

DSPL

State naloxone co-prescribing laws show mixed effects on overdose mortality rates

Author MaryKate Duska, Jared M. Rhoads, Elizabeth C. Saunders, Tracy Onega Published July 25, 2022 Objective To examine the relative...

Eating ourselves to death: How food is a drug and what food abuse costs

Matthew Robinson

Jul 18, 20221 min read

DSPL

Eating ourselves to death: How food is a drug and what food abuse costs

Author Matthew Robinson Published July 18, 2022 Abstract The objective of this paper is to examine definitions of the terms “drug,” “drug...