Drugs

Drugs

Drugs come in many forms, from lifesaving to life threatening. A drug is as substance that causes a temporary physiological or psychological change when introduced to the body. Legal forms of drugs include medicines, such as painkillers and antibiotics, alcohol and tobacco. Many drugs are illegal due to their harmful effects of the body, for example stimulants like cocaine, opioids and hallucinogens are all illegal in the majority of countries. The legality of Cannabinoids is being debated currently around the world.

The next generation of drugs could be made in space. Here’s why

A California start-up recently recovered a batch of drugs manufactured by an automated satellite, but what are the benefits and challenges of making pharmaceuticals in orbit?
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The science of Dune: Could we really make smart drugs?

'The spice' is an extremely precious commodity that greatly enhances the user's mental abilities. Could we recreate this in real life?
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Saying no to drugs can be hard. Especially when our brains have evolved to say 'why not?'

The ‘Stoptober’ push to quit smoking is useful, but we need to look at why people start… especially when it’s harder drugs.
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Psychedelics: A neuroscientist's guide to how they change your brain

In recent years, psychedelic drugs have received increasing attention for their potential therapeutic applications. But what exactly are they? What do they do? Are they actually beneficial? All your questions, answered.
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Do nootropics really work?

Also known as 'smart drugs', nootropics claim they are able to boost brain performance.
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Inside the experiment that could bring psychedelic drugs to the NHS

Scientific evidence for using psychedelics to treat mental health problems has been mounting for the last decade. Here's everything you need to know about psilocybin treatment.
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Cancel your trip: Scientists identify psychedelic drug without hallucinogenic side effects

A newly discovered compound could encourage neural plasticity without causing hallucinations.
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New study bolsters support for ‘magic mushroom’ treatment for depression

Psilocybin, a drug derived from magic mushrooms, appears to be at least as effective as the antidepressant escitalopram, when administered in a therapeutic setting.
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Your brain on LSD: a guide through the most mind-blowing psychedelics research

In an extract of his acclaimed book Drugs without the hot air, David Nutt explains recent scientific discoveries – and how substances like LSD have influenced creative breakthroughs.
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Why do cats love catnip?

How catnip works its magic – and the unexpected reactions of some cats, including tigers.
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Parasite-inspired drug delivery system could be the future of medicine

The tiny, star-shaped ‘theragrippers’ latch onto the intestinal tract, to slowly release their drug payload.
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Genome of Alexander Fleming's original penicillin mould sequenced

The research may help in the fight against antibiotic resistance, scientists from Imperial College say.
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Antibiotic resistance

Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest threats to human life, but what can we do about it?
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More than 1,700 deaths due to ‘avoidable’ medication errors in England each year

Many are human errors that are likely to be the result of exhaustion or burnout, said a doctor from the Medical Protection Society.
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Magic mushrooms and mental health: could psychedelic drugs treat depression?

Neuropsychopharmacologist Prof David Nutt explains how psychedelic drugs could have a therapeutic effect on mental illness.
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Hydroxychloroquine study called into question

The findings published in The Lancet prompted the WHO to suspend hydroxychloroquine testing within COVID-19 drug trials as a precaution.
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Ibuprofen trial for hospitalised patients begins

A clinical trial has been launched to see whether a special formulation of the cheap drug could reduce breathing problems in coronavirus patients.
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