Happy 4/20!
The last year has seen some big developments in the cannabis space, and we've been keeping track. Here are our favourite papers and blog posts we've published since this time in 2025...
What if Freud’s theories of dreams contain more truth than once thought?
Neuroscientist Mark Solms joined David Nutt to discuss how his groundbreaking research on dreaming led him to pioneer the use of psychoanalysis in modern neuroscience.
drugscience.org.uk/p...
"The decades-long war on drugs has failed. The evidence is clear: a more compassionate, health-first approach to drug policy that decriminalises use and possession and supports those formerly marginalised by criminalisation has myriad benefits."
thelancet.com/journa...
Curious about the UK's police-led drug diversion? Don't miss this full-day event - important for anyone interested in more effective ways of dealing with drug-related offending.
Sheffield, 18/6 🎟️
onlineshop.shef.ac.u...
How did psychedelics end up in the most restrictive category of international control?
📖 Archival records tracing the origins of the 1971 Convention reveal a process shaped not just by science, but by politics, media narratives, and Cold War tensions.
drugscience.org.uk/h...
Join us as we peek into the mind of Harriet de Wit, a leading expert in MDMA pharmacology.
From early research on animal models of self-administration to landmark MDMA & LSD trials, she shares key findings from across her career🗨️🔬
drugscience.org.uk/p...
Drug Science is pleased to contribute to and be referenced in a new report by @SMFthinktank on how the new Scottish Government can address the costs of Scotland’s drug crisis📄
Worth a read.⬇️
smf.co.uk/publicatio...
Are psychedelics really more effective than antidepressants? A new meta-analysis suggests it’s more complicated than the headlines.
One of the study’s co-authors explains to Drug Science how trial design may be shaping the narrative more than we realise.
drugscience.org.uk/a...
Pleased to see the Liberal Democrats reflect scientific evidence in their newly passed mental health policy.
The motion support for further research into pharmacologically assisted therapies and calls for an evidence-based approach to the regulation of drugs.
libdems.org.uk/confe...
#ICPR is back!
Europe’s premier conference on psychedelic science and therapy returns to Haarlem, the Netherlands from June 4–6.
Drug Science Community Members - reach out to community@drugscience.org.uk to get 10% off your ticket
icpr-conference.com/....
Youth vaping in schools is a growing public health crisis. Two experts joined us on the DSP to discuss the observed prevalence and patterns of use, what’s actually in the vapes students are using, and how schools can respond effectively.
Learn what's really going on ⬇️
drugscience.org.uk/p...
Cancer diagnoses can bring overwhelming distress, yet support for existential fear & anxiety is often limited.
A new study explores why some UK patients are turning to psilocybin to help them process, and how prohibition shapes their decision making.
drugscience.org.uk/h...
In one week, our Street Drugs Discussions series will take stock of five years of overdose prevention policy in the UK and highlight what needs to change next.
Don't miss your chance to register and join ⬇️
📆 13 March | 12–2pm GMT | 💻 Online
🔗 eventbrite.co.uk/e/s...
Results from Compass Pathways’ Phase 3 COMP360 trials suggest the millions of patients living with TRD may be one step closer to a new treatment option.
Our new blog breaks down the data and what we should expect next in the regulatory process.
drugscience.org.uk/c...
"[MDMA] has this added feature that makes it a drug that has to be very carefully dealt with... You need facilitators in the room who will respond to it appropriately or will not let their own boundaries be disrupted by what's going on in the session."
drugscience.org.uk/p...
Our reporting on festival substance use & harm-reduction continues 👇
What do workers really think about how substance-related incidents are handled? Frontline perspectives reveal why coordinated, welfare-first approaches are key to risk management.
drugscience.org.uk/p...
Our strategic collaboration with University College London is now recruiting for its latest study ⬇️
Qualified clinicians are invited to take part in a systematic exploration of their own MDMA experience within a carefully controlled clinical environment 🔬 🧠
Prof. David Nutt describes 'On Drugs' as “one of the best books on psychedelics since Huxley.”
He sits down with the author Justin Smith-Ruiu for a candid convo about the early psychedelic experiences and cultural observations that inspired the work🎙️
drugscience.org.uk/p...
Thrilled to welcome another pioneer of psychedelic therapy to the MPWG!
Beautiful Space specialises in relationships & sexual wellbeing, supporting people through loss of connection, relationship challenges & life transitions.
Explore their work: beautifulspace.org/
In London on Feb 25?
Make sure to catch the free UK premiere of Quiet the Sirens, a powerful documentary following 3 firefighters living with PTSD as they seek healing through an innovative psychedelic-assisted therapy group.
Screening to be followed by a live Q&A. 🎬
eventbrite.com/e/qui...
Texas has committed $50 million to ibogaine research, positioning the state as a new major player in psychedelic science.
What does this signal about the future of psychedelic research funding in the U.S? We unpack the implications in the link below.
drugscience.org.uk/t...
Our next Street Drugs Discussions looks back on 5 years of overdose prevention policy in the UK.
From the first safer drug consumption facility in Glasgow to harm reduction in Northern Ireland, we'll unpack what’s changed, what’s stalled, & what's next.
eventbrite.co.uk/e/s...
Professor David Nutt founded Drug Science in part to help create the foundation for sensible and effective drug laws.
This long-form piece revisits his work on nicotine harm, MCDA, and what we lose when policy refuses to distinguish between levels of harm.
disobedientmargins.c...
Current drug policies promote harm, not solutions.
IPDC's new report shows how punitive approaches continue to drive pain & undermine the UN goals of peace, rights & development.
bit.ly/idpc-ungass-1...
The ACMD has published an updated review of ketamine use, harms, and its legal classification.
We explain why we broadly welcome their findings, and what must happen next if the government is serious about reducing ketamine-related harms.
drugscience.org.uk/a...
From early research on esketamine to leading the first EU-funded multi-site study on PAT, pioneer researcher Robert Schoevers has seen it all.
He joined the pod to talk esketamine, the realities of EU funding, and what it takes to bring therapies into mainstream healthcare.
drugscience.org.uk/p...
21 peer-reviewed articles.
86 expert authors.
One year of evidence on critical developments in psychedelics, cannabis, harm reduction, and drug policy worldwide.
We’ve summarised the key findings from DSPL in 2025 to help you stay on top of the debates defining 2026.
drugscience.org.uk/d...
A new study exposes "reverse spin bias" — a pattern where evidence of benefit is downplayed in academic conclusions, particularly for controversial treatments.
We explore how this practice can quietly derail evidence-based drug policy.
drugscience.org.uk/r...
With drug-related deaths at record levels, practical guidance grounded in neuroscience and public health is a key part of keeping people safer.
Dr Rayyan Zafar spoke to Metro about what the science tells us about reducing the long-term impact of repeated drug use.
metro.co.uk/2026/01/...
