Nutt Dismissal in Britain Highlights Diverging Drug Views
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Neurobiology of Addiction and Implications for Treatment
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY (2003), 182, 97^100 EDITORIAL partial agonist, this drug stimulates the D Neurobiology of addiction and implications 33 receptor enough to keep withdrawal at for treatment bay, but not enough to cause a ‘high’ or to be rewarding. It is currently in phase 1 trials. One drug that affects the dopaminergic ANNE LINGFORD-HUGHES and DAVID NUTT system and has proven efficacy in the treat- ment of nicotine addiction is bupropion (Jorenby(Jorenby et aletal, 1999). The exact mechanism underlying this effect still has to be fully characterised; however, it has been shown that bupropion increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels by acting as an uptake Drug and alcohol misuse result in immense withdrawal as well. In an elegant series of inhibitor (Ascher et aletal, 1995).,1995). harm at both individual and societal level. experiments, Schultz (2001) found that in Our understanding of the neuropharma- primates trained to associate a cue with a cology of these disorders is increasing pleasurable experience (food), increased Related systems involved in reward through the use of approaches such as dopaminergic activity was seen in response Our understanding of other neurotrans- neuroimaging and gene targeting and the to the cue and not to the food. If the food mitter systems that are involved in reward availability of specific receptor agonists was not then presented, dopaminergic and that may modulate dopaminergic and antagonists. Our aim here is to describe function dropped. Reduced dopaminergic activity provides further targets for some interesting new findings that are function is thought to be associated with pharmacotherapy. likely to inform advances in treatment. -
Professor David J Nutt
2016 BAP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Professor David J Nutt David Nutt received the BAP Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 summer meeting in Brighton. It gives me much pleasure to write about his long and very productive career in both preclinical and clinical psychopharmacology. I am primarily emphasizing his scientific achievements, both internationally and domestic, and his role in making the public aware of the need for evidence-based clinical science. It is scarcely necessary to detail his commitment to the BAP both as a former President and also editor of the Journal of Psychopharmacology for over 25 years. I have known David for nearly 35 years ever since he joined the MRC Clinical Pharmacology Unit in Oxford and undertook preclinical research for his MD. His enormous enthusiasm for both basic and clinical pharmacology and his impressive abilities were apparent from the outset, and in just 3 years we published together 11 papers and a book chapter, all in major journals (he also published work with other colleagues). A particular interest of David was the translation of basic research to clinical studies in psychiatry, something both David Grahame-Smith, the Unit Director, and I were already enthusiastic about. He then undertook clinical research in psychiatry in Oxford before appointments at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, the University of Bristol and now Imperial College, London. David’s commitment to communicating clinical pharmacology research to the public is, of course, known to many people, and he has been tireless in demonstrating the need for evidence-based decision making when discussing the risks and benefits of drugs, particularly recreational drugs. -
UIT CAMBRIDGE Rights Catalogue the Physics of Everyday Life Extraordinary Insights Into Everyday Physics Professor Jo Hermans
UIT CAMBRIDGE rights catalogue The Physics of Everyday Life Extraordinary insights into everyday physics Professor Jo Hermans Description: This book brings the magic of physics to everyday life. With a glass of water, a few drops of milk and a torch, readers will be able to demonstrate why the sky looks blue during the day, but seems to turn red at sunset – and astound their friends by telling them how fast one can cycle on the moon. It will appeal to teenagers and their parents alike. 198 mm x 129 mm, 1 September 2018, Paperback The Author Prof. Jo Hermans is Emeritus Professor of Physics at Leiden University in the Key Selling Points: Netherlands. In addition to his academic research and teaching career he is active in • A best-seller in the Netherlands promoting and explaining science for the general public. He writes a books on everyday where it was originally published science which have been translated worldwide. He was appointed Knight in the Order of • A popular science book focusing Oranje-Nassau by Queen Beatrix in 2010. on the physics ruling everyday phenomena Contents: • Full of theoretical explanations OUTDOOR LIFE 8. Why is the sky blue (and the setting sun red)? and practical experiments 1. GPS navigation, how does it work? (With a tip SOUND AND HEARING of the hat to Einstein) 9. What do our ears hear? BICYCLE AND CAR 10. Why is there not more noise pollution? 2. The human engine when idling IN AND AROUND THE HOUSE 3. Me? A vacuum cleaner? 11. The lid on the pan 4. -
Women Mps in Westminster Photographs Taken May 21St, June 3Rd, June 4Th, 2008
“The House of Commons Works of Art Collection documents significant moments in Parliamentary history. We are delighted to have added this unique photographic record of women MPs of today, to mark the 90th anniversary of women first being able to take their seats in this House” – Hugo Swire, Chairman, The Speaker's Advisory Committee on Works of Art. “The day the Carlton Club accepted women” – 90 years after women first got the vote aim to ensure that a more enduring image of On May 21st 2008 over half of all women women's participation in the political process Members of Parliament in Westminster survives. gathered party by party to have group photographs taken to mark the anniversary of Each party gave its permission for the 90 years since women first got the vote (in photographs to be taken. For the Labour February 1918 women over 30 were first Party, Barbara Follett MP, the then Deputy granted the vote). Minister for Women and Equality, and Barbara Keeley MP, who was Chair of the Labour Party Women’s Committee and The four new composite Caroline Adams, who works for the photographs taken party by Parliamentary Labour Party helped ensure that all but 12 of the Labour women party aim to ensure that a attended. more enduring image of For the Conservative women's participation in the Party, The Shadow Leader of the House of political process survives Commons and Shadow Minister for Until now the most often used photographic Women, Theresa May image of women MPs had been the so called MP and the Chairman “Blair Babes” picture taken on 7th May 1997 of the Conservative shortly after 101 Labour women were elected Party, Caroline to Westminster as a result of positive action by Spelman MP, enlisted the Labour Party. -
10 Facts About MDMA
10 Facts About MDMA August 2015 1. What is MDMA? and a desire to intensify these feelings by dancing, talking and touching. MDMA, often referred to as “ecstasy” or “molly”, is short for 3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine, a A typical dose of 80 - 125 mg lasts three to six hours. psychoactive drug derived from safrole oil. MDMA Some people experience nausea at the outset, but produces effects that resemble both stimulants and after about 45 minutes, report feelings of relaxation psychedelics, as well as its signature effect: a feeling and clarity. MDMA also causes dilation of the pupils of connectedness. It impacts brain function primarily and, often, sensitivity to light, as well as possible jaw- releasing the neurotransmitter serotonin, and also clenching, tooth-grinding, muscle tension, faintness, temporarily inhibits its reuptake. MDMA is usually and chills or sweating. taken orally, whether in pressed pill form, powder or crystal; or sometimes snorted. After the drug wears off, the theory from preclinical studies is that brain levels of serotonin (a chemical MDMA was originally synthesized in 1912 by the drug responsible for maintaining mood balance) are company Merck.1 However, its psychoactive effects depleted, which can lead in some cases to sadness, weren’t widely discovered until 1976 when Alexander anxiety, depression and sleep problems.4 If they occur, Shulgin developed a new synthesis method, tested the these symptoms arise in the several days that follow. drug on himself, and shared it with a few friendly Generally, they abate within a week, though frequency psychotherapists.2 Because of the drug’s effects of of use and higher doses can slow or stop this increasing empathy and reducing fear, it started to be process.5 used in psychotherapy practices in the 1970s and early 80s, as well as recreationally. -
MDMA ('Ecstasy'): a Review of Its Harms and Classification Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971
MDMA (‘ecstasy’): A REVIEW OF ITS HARMS AND CLASSIFICATION UNDER THE MISUSE OF DRUGS ACT 1971 Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs ACMD Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs 3rd Floor (SW), Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF February 2008 Rt Hon Jacqui Smith MP Home Office 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF Dear Home Secretary, The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) recently considered that a review of MDMA (‘ecstasy’) would be timely as there is a much greater body of evidence regarding the harms and misuse of MDMA since the Council last provided its advice to Ministers in 1996. I have pleasure in enclosing the Council’s report. The use of MDMA is undoubtedly harmful. I would therefore like to emphasise that the Council continues to be concerned about the widespread use of MDMA; particularly among young people. Due to its prevalence of use, MDMA is a significant public health issue and we believe that criminal justice measures will only have limited effect. You will wish to note that the Council strongly advises the promulgation of public health messages. It is of vital importance that issues of classification do not detract from messages concerning public health. Forensic evidence shows that MDMA is by far the most commonly seized of the ‘ecstasy-like’ drugs. MDMA is presently generically classified in Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act with other ‘ecstasy-like’ drugs. The ACMD has not extended this review to other compounds within the generic classification since their use is considerably less than that of MDMA. -
Psychoactive Drugs of Misuse: Rationalising the Irrational
Comment Psychoactive drugs of misuse: rationalising the irrational Ideally, policy responses to psychoactive drugs of misuse (1920–32) make it unlikely that any industrialised society would take into account the variations in harm that each will criminalise alcohol use. But that still leaves plenty of kind causes to users and the community. In today’s Lancet, room for more effective use of taxation and regulatory David Nutt and colleagues1 show that the UK classification controls to reduce alcohol-related harm. of psychoactive drugs into three categories of harm (A, Populism favours tough policies towards illicit drugs such B, and C) is only modestly correlated with expert ratings as cannabis. Psychoactive drugs (other than alcohol and of the harms caused. They also point out the obvious: the tobacco) remain the last holdout of the most restrictive classification excludes the psychoactive drugs whose use form of regulation—criminal prohibition—despite the causes the greatest harm—ie, alcohol and tobacco.2 enthusiastic embrace of market deregulation almost Science Photo Library Nutt and colleagues asked UK experts in psychiatry, everywhere else. This situation could change if the USA See Health Policy page 1047 pharmacology, and addiction to rate drugs on three major embraced a free market regime for all psychoactive drugs. dimensions of harm: physical health effects, potential But as attractive as this approach may be to libertarians, for dependence, and social harms. The experts showed it would not be good public-health policy. Allowing a free reasonable levels of agreement in their rankings. By market for all currently illicit drugs would add substantially contrast, their ratings were not well correlated with the UK to the harms now caused by alcohol and tobacco. -
Governing Terrorism Through Preemption: a Comparative Analysis of Radicalization in Three Western Liberal Democracies Derek M.D
University of South Carolina Scholar Commons Theses and Dissertations 2017 Governing Terrorism through Preemption: A Comparative Analysis of Radicalization in Three Western Liberal Democracies Derek M.D. Silva University of South Carolina Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd Part of the Sociology Commons Recommended Citation Silva, D. M.(2017). Governing Terrorism through Preemption: A Comparative Analysis of Radicalization in Three Western Liberal Democracies. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/4278 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you by Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. GOVERNING TERRORISM THROUGH PREEMPTION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RADICALIZATION IN THREE WESTERN LIBERAL DEMOCRACIES by Derek M.D. Silva Bachelor of Arts University of Ontario Institute of Technology, 2012 Master of Arts Carleton University, 2014 Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology College of Arts and Sciences University of South Carolina 2017 Accepted by: Mathieu Deflem, Major Professor Andrea K. Henderson, Committee Member Carla A. Pfeffer, Committee Member Wadie E. Said, Committee Member Cheryl L. Addy, Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School © Copyright by Derek M.D. Silva, 2017 All Rights Reserved. ii DEDICATION For Ali, Gilmour, and Gator. Gilmour, you were my best friend and true companion. I will never, ever forget the memories we shared as a family. You will live on in my heart forever. Rest in peace my boy. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I would like to thank former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose now infamous proclamation against “committing sociology” when considering issues of terrorism was in many ways the impetus for this project and my entire graduate research career. -
Charlie Hughes (A Minor) by His Mother and Litigation Friend Alison Hughes
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE CLAIM NO: CO/620/2020 ADMINISTRATIVE COURT BETWEEN: THE QUEEN (on the application of) Charlie Hughes (a minor) by his mother and litigation friend Alison Hughes Claimant - and - (1) CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (2) THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH AND CARE EXCELLENCE Defendants - and - (1) SECRETARY OF STATE FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (2) NHS ENGLAND Interested Parties WITNESS STATEMENT OF PROFESSOR DAVID NUTT I, Professor David Nutt of Drug Science UK will say as follows: 1. I am a psychiatrist and professor at Imperial College London. I have prior training in neurology at Guys and St Mary’s hospitals. My doctorate from Oxford University was on the neuropsychopharmacology of seizures. Since then I have worked for almost all my professional life on the effects, both beneficial and harmful, of drugs on the brain and have extensive clinical and research experience in this field. I am a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, of Psychiatrists and of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the UK. I was a member of the Adviory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for 10 years and chair of the Council for one. My expertise has been recognised with a number of prestigious appointments including Presidencies of the European Brain Council, the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the British Association of Psychopharmacology and the British Neuroscience Association. I have also served on the MRC Neuroscience board. 2. I have conducted scientific research on the brain actions in humans of a wide range of legal and illegal drugs including alcohol, tobacco, heroin, amfetamines, cocaine, GHB, buprenorphine, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, methadone, LSD, psilocybin, DMT, cannabis, cannabidiol, ketamine, paracetamol, ibuprofen and caffeine. -
A Placebo-Controlled Investigation of Synaesthesia-Like Experiences Under LSD
2016, Neuropsychologia A placebo-controlled investigation of synaesthesia-like experiences under LSD Devin B. Terhune Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK David P. Luke Department of Psychology & Counselling, University of Greenwich, London, UK Mendel Kaelen Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Mark Bolstridge Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Amanda Feilding The Beckley Foundation, Beckley Park, Oxford, UK David Nutt Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Robin Carhart-Harris Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Jamie Ward Department of Psychology, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK Correspondence: Devin B. Terhune Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK Email: [email protected] Robin Carhart-Harris Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Division of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK Email: [email protected] Jamie Ward Department of Psychology, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK Email: [email protected] Investigating LSD-induced synaesthesia 2 Abstract The induction of synaesthesia in non-synaesthetes has the potential to illuminate the mechanisms that contribute to the development of this condition and the shaping of its phenomenology. Previous research suggests that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) reliably induces synaesthesia-like experiences in non- synaesthetes. However, these studies suffer from a number of methodological limitations including lack of a placebo control and the absence of rigorous measures used to test established criteria for genuine synaesthesia. -
Labour's Last Fling on Constitutional Reform
| THE CONSTITUTION UNIT NEWSLETTER | ISSUE 43 | SEPTEMBER 2009 | MONITOR LABOUR’S LAST FLING ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM IN THIS ISSUE Gordon Brown’s bold plans for constitutional constitutional settlement …We will work with the reform continue to be dogged by bad luck and bad British people to deliver a radical programme of PARLIAMENT 2 - 3 judgement. The bad luck came in May, when the democratic and constitutional reform”. MPs’ expenses scandal engulfed Parliament and government and dominated the headlines for a Such rhetoric also defies political reality. There is EXECUTIVE 3 month. The bad judgement came in over-reacting a strict limit on what the government can deliver to the scandal, promising wide ranging reforms before the next election. The 2009-10 legislative which have nothing to do with the original mischief, session will be at most six months long. There PARTIES AND ELECTIONS 3-4 and which have limited hope of being delivered in is a risk that even the modest proposals in the the remainder of this Parliament. Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill will not pass. It was not introduced until 20 July, DEVOLUTION 4-5 The MPs’ expenses scandal broke on 8 May. As the day before the House rose for the summer the Daily Telegraph published fresh disclosures recess. After a year’s delay, the only significant day after day for the next 25 days public anger additions are Part 3 of the bill, with the next small HUMAN RIGHTS 5 mounted. It was not enough that the whole steps on Lords reform (see page 2); and Part 7, to issue of MPs’ allowances was already being strengthen the governance of the National Audit investigated by the Committee on Standards in Office. -
Question Time 20 April 2008
Question Time 20 April 2008 Questions 1. Foreign Secretary David Miliband has warned Labour that squabbling over what issue raises the risk of electoral defeat? ( )Introduction of the specialist diplomas ( )Abolition of the 10p income tax rate ( )Period of detention for terrorist suspects ( )Electoral reform 2. Parliament's longest-serving female MP has died aged 77. What is her name? ( )Dame Shirley Williams ( )Gwyneth Dunwoody ( )Baroness Castle ( )Baroness Boothroyd 3. Who was accused by the Conservatives of a "blatant breach" of Whitehall election rules by making a major government announcement in the period leading up to the 1 May elections? ( )Alistair Darling ( )Lord Jones ( )Jacqui Smith ( )David Miliband 4. Lord Jones has said that he will step down from Gordon Brown's "government of all the talents" before the next general election. What position does Lord Jones currently hold? ( )Transport Minister ( )Foreign Affairs Minister ( )Education Minister ( )Trade Minister 5. Who is the only independent candidate in the race to become London Mayor? ( )Winston Paddock ( )Boris Winstanley ( )Levi Kingstone ( )Winston McKenzie 6. Ahead of the local elections on 1 May, leader Nick Clegg has claimed that the Lib Dems are ... ( )"very much the national party" ( )"destined for a heavy defeat" ( )"on a hiding to nothing" ( )"back in their constituencies and prepared for government" 7. The High Court has ruled that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) acted unlawfully by dropping a corruption inquiry into ... ( )Contracts to build new academy schools ( )A Saudi arms deal ( )MP's expenses ( )The Crossrail project 8. Which opening will Gordon Brown not be attending? ( )Terminal 5 ( )Beijing Olympics ( )Zimbabwe's new Parliament ( )Lloyd‐Webber's new version of Oliver 9.