Through a better understanding of these synaptic adaptations we can move toward more synapse-informed therapeutics. Targeting proteins like PRIP or calcineurin might finally allow us to move towards the next generation of anxiolytic and anti seizure drugs.
Benzos turn GABAa receptors into metabotropic-like signaling hubs, triggering a cascade that dephosphorylates receptors and disassembles inhibitory synapses. Meanwhile, chronic use recruits TSPO-activated microglia to prune away new excitatory spines, resulting in a reorganization of brain circuitry
I'm thrilled to share my first first-author paper 🎉
We review the synaptic correlates of benzodiazepine tolerance and the molecular mechanisms that drive it.
Many thanks to Prof Jovanovic for all her support!
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"Pipes as an engagement tool: qualitative findings from a crack equipment and harm reduction training intervention in England" by Casey Sharpe and colleagues (2026) via @ijdrugpolicy.bsky.social . Does your area give out pipes for people who smoke drugs?
Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We’re running a short survey on public views about ketamine reclassification and UK drug policy. If you’re 16+ and living in the UK, we’d really appreciate you taking 15 minutes to complete it and share with your networks: www.tinyurl.com/ket-survey
@charlotte2153.bsky.social speaking last night on record high drug-related deaths in the UK:
“[The Home Office's stance] is ideological, not evidence-based, which is why I believe the Home Office is fundamentally incapable of dealing with drug deaths and drug harm in our communities.”
Great to see our commentary on stimulant use and nutrition hit the cover of Drink and Drug News magazine this month. Nutrition is often overlooked but crucial issue in harm reduction, time to bring it to the table ! viewer.joomag.com/ddn-october2...
The landscape of ketamine use disorder: Patient experiences and perspectives on current treatment options buff.ly/HXPQOvF @bexharding.bsky.social
Our Op-ed on the UK’s drug death crisis, following last week’s Westminster Hall debate we helped secure. Drug-related deaths are a health issue—and should be governed by DHSC. The MDA in its current form is outdated and counterproductive.
parliamentnews.co.uk/the-uks-drug...
New @ukparliament.parliament.uk report just released.
Our Directors of Research @alexpiot.bsky.social & Psychedelic Policy & Regulation Timmy Davis were pleased to contribute, alongside @profdavidnutt.bsky.social, @profjoneill.bsky.social and others.
post.parliament.uk/research-bri...
The #drugpolicyratchet looks set for another turn, even though the ACMD has repeatedly found no evidence that changing the class of a drug has any effect on levels of use. www.theguardian.com/society/2025... #ketamine
I’d like to be added please :)
Powerful closing #EHRC2024 plenary. Now the time for "strong language" to achieve, maintain & build #harmreduction with/for our communities. "No more hiding behind rhetoric of 'target' & 'vulnerable' populations". "Zero tolerance on poverty, zero tolerance on inequality, zero tolerance on stigma!"
An explanatory note for the Bill can be found here: publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
The bill signals a push for greater flexibility in drug policy, with the proposed legislation primarily aimed at streamlining scheduling changes. Ideally, this could ease the pressure off the drug policy ratchet and pave the way for a thorough review of the evidence of several Schedule 1 drugs.
This implies as well that drug policy is still being conceived of as a moral issue, which while highly problematic, may have some practical advantages here. It also aligns with Tory-era polling we conducted showing most MPs agreed that drug policy was failing but felt unable to speak out.
First, the fact that it’s a PMB is interesting. Technically the government is not the one putting forward the legislation. Similar to assisted dying, it seems the government would rather keep its hands clean of drug related policy issues while still pushing for change. We can expect more of this…
The bill proposes to shift the power of drug scheduling changes from the Privy Council’s Order in Council process to the Secretary of State using Statutory Instruments approved by Parliament while maintaining input from the ACMD
A Private Member’s Bill proposing changes to how Schedule 2 drugs are amended is set for its second reading this Friday, with the full text now available. This could have significant implications—here’s why it matters… 👇
publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/cbi...
Looking forward to #SaferLives24 today !
