Should drugs be legalised? | Stephen Bright, PhD

The Proof with Simon Hill

Simon Hill

Nutrition, Health & Fitness, Self-improvement, Education

4.9 • 2.9K Ratings

🗓️ 5 February 2024

⏱️ 127 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Episode #299. Could psychedelics be the answer to the mental health crisis? Join me as I sit down with psychologist and academic, Dr Stephen Bright, to examine the prevalence of drug usage, what this means in the context of mental health, and how psilocybin and MDMA might be the future of mental health treatment. You’ll learn about the most common drugs in Australia, including cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, and psychedelics. We discuss how these drugs are portrayed in the media, why workplace drug screening may be harmful, and current and upcoming research in the field of psychedelics as a medical treatment option. Dr Bright also shares his views on how decriminalisation and legalisation can help protect vulnerable people. Specifically, we discuss: Introduction to the Podcast (0:00:00) Stephen Bright: Journey into Psychedelic Research (0:01:24) Trends in Drug Use Across Australia and Western Nations (0:06:52) Detecting Cocaine and Cannabis: Health Impacts (0:15:56) Legal Status of Synthetic Cannabis (0:18:35) Cannabis Usage Trends: Analysis (0:20:45) Vaping vs Smoking: Health Perspectives (0:28:10) Impact of Drug Use on Mental Health in Australia (0:31:26) Current Mental Health Treatment Approaches (0:37:07) Exploring Entheogens and Psychedelics (0:47:35) Academic Advancements in Psychedelic Research (0:49:58) Efficacy of MDMA and Psilocybin in Therapy (0:57:40) Psychedelic Research: Australia's Journey (1:11:02) Understanding Psychedelic Scepticism (1:17:17) Intersection of Psychedelics and Religious Practices (1:23:22) Psychedelics and Spiritual Awakening (1:27:12) Current Psychedelic Research Trends in Australia (1:29:34) Evolving Treatments for Mental Health Conditions (1:33:00) How Legalising Psychedelics Could Influence Drug Use (1:36:32) Psychedelics in Preventative Mental Health Strategies (1:38:35) Decriminalisation vs Legalisation of Psychedelics: A Comparative Analysis (1:41:28) Wrap-Up: Key Insights and Conclusions (1:56:40) Connect with Stephen Bright, PhD on LinkedIn and Twitter/X. Discover more of his work on Prism, Psychedelic Institute Australia (for healthcare practitioners), Students for Sensible Drug Policy, and AOD Media Watch. Sponsors: If you want to improve your health, you need to measure where you’re currently at. InsideTracker analyses up to 48 blood biomarkers including ApoB, LDL, HDL, A1C, and more before giving you advice to optimise your health. Get a 20% discount on your first order at insidetracker.com/simon. Eimele Essential 8 is a comprehensive multivitamin that is scientifically formulated to complement your plant-rich diet, increase and sustain your energy, support the immune system, as well as heart and brain health. Head to Eimele.com and use code SIMON at checkout for 10% off your first order. People all over the world are using Reveri to quit smoking, gain control over other addictions, reduce physical pain, feel more relaxed, and improve their mental health. The Proof community members can use Reveri for 30 days free with a guest pass. Just visit reveri.com/theproof to redeem. Want to support the show? The best way to support the show is to use the products and services offered by our sponsors. To check them out, and enjoy great savings, visit theproof.com/friends. You can also show your support by leaving a review on the Apple Podcast app and/or sharing your favourite episodes with your friends and family. Simon Hill, MSc, BSc (Hons) Creator of theproof.com and host of The Proof with Simon Hill Author of The Proof is in the Plants Watch the episodes on YouTube or listen on Apple/Spotify Connect with me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Nourish your gut with my Plant-Based Ferments Guide Download my complimentary Two-Week Meal Plan and high protein Plant Performance recipe book

Transcript

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0:00.0	Today's guest is Stephen Bright PhD. Dr Bright has worked as a psychologist within the mental health and alcohol and other drug field for the past 15 years.
0:10.7	Compared to other Western countries Australia has the highest per capita usage rate of drugs like cocaine and also possibly MDMA.
0:19.3	He dedicated his clinical and research career at Edith Cowan University to minimizing harm related to drug use.
0:27.0	The nature of alcohol in terms of the way it disinhibits people and increases violence. If you see two people out in the street having a fight,
0:35.6	you had to guess which drug they are on are they on alcohol or have they taken an MDMA?
0:39.6	Certainly not MDMA if they're punching up. In this episode you will learn about the current state of alcohol
0:44.8	and drug use in Australia including specifics related to cocaine and cannabis, the relationship
0:50.9	between drug use and mental health,
0:53.0	the current treatment paradigm for patients with mental health conditions,
0:57.0	how end theogens or psychodelics could help certain patients,
1:01.0	how decriminalization and legalization of certain drugs could reduce drug-related
1:06.7	harm, and plenty more. I hope you find this exchange as interesting and thought-provoking as I did.
1:14.0	Finally, it's here,
1:20.0	finally it's here, the essential prenatal supplement by a meal.
1:25.0	I've been waiting for a prenatal supplement for pregnant women that's properly formulated
1:30.0	with the right ingredients and dosages for a long time.
1:34.0	Essential prenatal contains DHA, an important omega-3 during pregnancy,
1:39.0	Colleen, Vitamin V12, iodine, and other important nutrients in optimal dosages for pregnant women
1:46.2	following a plant predominant or exclusive diet.
1:49.4	Formulated by myself alongside previous show guest Dr. German Newman, nutritionist Jacqueline Allwill, and
1:55.5	naturopath Dr Julie Chen.
1:58.5	Pregnancy is an extremely important life stage, certainly a time to make sure that you're not falling short in your
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