Biography/Memoir

Kratom and the FDA

So as an industrial medicinal chemist, I have some problems with the way the FDA is making its case here. It’s true that computational models of drug function have become more common, but “reliable” is a tricky word. If these things were truly reliable, to the point that you’d be comfortable setting government policy according…

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Psychology

Carnivalism: the shadow of hierarchy

I asked their [my classes’] indulgence for a historical detour. “Hierarchical societies that are deeply unequal and exploitive,” I pointed at the image, “force people to release stress through play. In Ancient Greece, the cult of Dionysus held rituals where they drank, took psychedelics and danced on mountains. When Rome absorbed Greece, Dionysus was renamed…

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Biography/Memoir

Beitzel to continue work on establishing drug treatment program [with iboga]

*iboga activist Dana Beal in 1994 Del. Wendell Beitzel (R-District 1A) wants to continue efforts to establish an ibogaine treatment pilot program in Maryland. “We’re dealing with an extreme opiate addiction problem,” Beitzel said during his and Sen. George Edwards’ recent pre-legislative meeting at Garrett College. “I think it’s a problem that’s probably touched just…

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Medicine/Healing

Could prescription heroin be the next step in treating addiction?

When Philadelphia announced its support of Comprehensive User Engagement Sites (CUES) — also known as safe injection facilities — [opponents] came out in full force, to battle with misinformation and zero data … While we should hold Big Pharma accountable for its deceptive marketing practices, and the chemical makeup of some substances does put individuals at higher…

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Science

Two leading psychedelic researchers—Heffter President Dave Nichols and board member Charles Grob—report on the toxicity of LSD

From a physiological perspective, however, LSD is known to be non-toxic and medically safe when taken at standard dosages (50–200 μg). The scientific literature, along with recent media reports, have unfortunately implicated “LSD toxicity” in five cases of sudden death. On close examination, however, two of these fatalities were associated with ingestion of massive overdoses,…

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Politics

[Politicians] call for a hearing on Jeff Sessions anti-marijuana policy

Jeff Sessions failed “to provide any evidence that prosecuting marijuana in states where it has been legalized will make Americans safer.” “The costs of pursuing this misguided policy both in terms of prosecution and in lives blighted by unnecessary criminal convictions are staggering, cruel and unwarranted,” said Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee who…

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Biography/Memoir

International Criminal Court takes 1st step in probe into Duterte drug war

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving on the complaint filed against President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the high number of killings under his violent war on drugs. The ICC is the world’s first treaty-based permanent international criminal court that aims to end impunity. It investigates serious crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, war…

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