Are you ready for a new drug? In this episode I interview neuroscientist Matthew Baggott about his new company, Tactogen, which is synthesizing and bringing to market new MDMA-like substances. We also discuss the pros and cons of the new psychedelic renaissance, what the mainstreaming of psychedelics might look like in the near future and how it might affect the underground culture, especially with the entrance of big money capitalists like Peter Thiel and the dreaded Compass Pathways. Transcrip...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 26
It's been almost a year since the pandemic ended mass gatherings. A year without live music and festivals has taken its toll on many of us. When will they start up again? In this episode I discuss the latest COVID science to try to find an answer to that question. Rough Transcript Hi everyone. I’m back, and once again . . . I know it’s been a long time since my last episode. I’m not even gonna apologize this time, because in the end just gets ridiculous. All I’m gonna say is that I do INTEND to ...
Feb 02, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 25
When Sasha Shulgin was at the end of his life, experiencing dementia, I had the privilege of interviewing him. Then both my parents got dementia. These experiences taught me lessons in life I won't forget, and I want to share them with you. ROUGH TRANSCRIPT Hi everyone. I really hate that I have to begin my show again, for the third time in a row, with an apology for how long it’s taking me to produce new episodes. But I’ve really been 2020’d hard. Since the last episode I’ve had three people in...
Oct 18, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In this episode I break from the topic of drugs to discuss the most important issue of our times: QAnon and the rising tide of authoritarian fascism. I interview investigative journalist, filmmaker and podcaster, Robbie Martin. Robbie is an expert on QAnon, and he takes us through its history and origins inside US intelligence agencies as well as the Trump administration, warning us of the dire consequences that could result from the weaponization of conspiracy theory culture. Click here and her...
Sep 05, 2020•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode I interview Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction . In these pandemic times, problematic drug use is on the rise. Alcohol sales are skyrocketing, and more than ever we need to understand the root causes of addiction and how to help those who are suffering.
May 14, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this episode I interview Frank Haines, who describes his experiences being held captive for more than a year in Florida's notorious anti-drug cult, Straight. Started by millionaire shopping mall developer and founder of the Partnership for a Drug Free America, Mel Sembler, in the 1980s, Straight was eventually shut down after numerous successful lawsuits exposed systemic violence, including physical abuse and torture.
Apr 11, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In this episode I interview Brian Pace, board member of Psymposia and co-host of the Plus Three Podcast, where we discuss the political right’s embracing and promotion of psychedelics. With fringe Nazi groups and corporate capitalists like Peter Thiel all getting involved in the new psychedelic renaissance, the mainstreaming of psychedelic drugs has opened up deeper questions into what we should value as a society and culture.
Mar 21, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In this episode of Drug Nonsense, Mason and I discuss lying cops, massive LSD overdoses, new psilocybin trademarks and other incidents of interest to druggies, reformers and those who love them. All new and now forever free, our Patreon podcast is open to the public.
Mar 05, 2020•47 min
A live recording of Emanuel's talk at the Utah Psychedelic Society in Salt Lake City on February 22, 2020. Emanuel addresses the state of the drug policy reform movement, why the psychedelic community needs to embrace the decriminalization of all drugs, and why harm reduction is the argument that will build bridges with non-drug users and take us to the next level in the fight to end the drug war.
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this episode I interview David Downs, Cannabis Editor at Leafly.com. We discuss the frightening truth about unregulated cannabis vape cartridges. VAPI, or Vaping Associated Pulmonary Injury, killed 52 people last year. It's real, and although the main cause, a thickening agents known as vitamin E acetate, appears to be on the decline, millions of contaminated vape carts are still out there. We also discuss other serious risks with the unregulated vape market, and why we need government regula...
Jan 14, 2020•55 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this episode I interview Ilsa Jerome, clinical research and information specialist for MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies. We spend an hour discussing tons of interesting questions pertaining to the neuroscience of MDMA, including how it induces prosocial behaviors and generates feeling of love and empathy, and what the science really says about the issue of neurotoxicity.
Dec 20, 2019•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 17
In this episode we critique an Australian anti-MDMA video created by YouTube star, Josiah Brooks, popularly known as "Jazza." Perpetuating dangerous stereotypes around drugs and drug culture, Jazza is jeopardizing the lives of young people while believing he is doing the opposite. This kind of anti-drug propaganda is worse than nonsense. It actually increases fatalities, and we need to start criticizing it. We call out Mr. Brooks for the harm he is causing young people in Australia and around th...
Dec 12, 2019•33 min
In this episode I interview Douglas Valentine, author of four books in the CIA, DEA and the DEA's predecessor, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics or FBN. As part of my "deep politics" series, Valentine exposes the long and sordid history of CIA involvement in the drug trade and why there's such a cozy relationship between US intelligence and brutal drug cartels. Buckle your seats because this one is a real doozy.
Nov 25, 2019•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In our comeback episode of Drug Nonsense, you'll hear about South Dakota's new anti-meth campaign, Joe Biden's gateway drug delusions, cocaine-snorting pigs, and much more! Recorded in New Mexico with my new co-host, Mason Burks, don't miss out on the fun and shenanigans as we critique drugs in the media.
Nov 22, 2019•40 min
In this episode I interview DanceSafe's current Executive Director, Mitchell Gomez, about everything from the DMT elves to the state of harm reduction and drug policy reform. It's a fun, fast-paced and enlightening conversation that is sure to transform your life. So don't miss out!
Nov 12, 2019•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In this episode I interview author and investigative journalist, Ben Westhoff, about his new book, Fentanyl, Inc. The result of four years of investigation, the book traces the origins and history of fentanyl and other new psychoactive substances, the impact they are having, and how governments, law enforcement and harm reductionists are attempting to respond to them.
Nov 02, 2019•52 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Last week Melania Trump spoke on the opioid crisis at Liberty University, the right wing Christian college founded by Jerry Falwell, the late fundamentalist evangelist. While claiming to be removing the stigma surrounding addiction, she and the other panelists couldn't conceal their moral judgment against drug users. In this episode we dissect the event, revealing the unconscious processes of scapegoating. And we interview the father of Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy, Dr. Andrew Tatars...
Dec 05, 2018•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 13
35,000 people a year are murdered in Mexico in what the government refers to as drug war violence, but the militarization of the country also serves the interests of transnational corporations—in particular the resource extraction industries—who have developed a symbiotic relationship with the country's paramilitary organizations. In this Thanksgiving Day episode, we interview Dawn Paley, author of Drug War Capitalism, who reminds us of the elephant in the living room when it comes to drug prohi...
Nov 23, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 12
This episode follows our journey to Florida to volunteer with DanceSafe at the annual Hulaween festival. You'll hear interviews with volunteers from DanceSafe Florida and Georgia, listen to audio of live pill testing, discussions at the booth, and Kyle on ketamine. It's psychedelic fun in the sun on a different sort of episode of Drug Positive.
Nov 05, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed the world's first 3D molecular printer. Able to build complex molecules by attaching together atoms, it is only a matter of time before we all have the ability to print our own drugs from home. Yet technology in widespread use today may already provide the same benefits. We speak with investigative journalist, Mike Power, about drugs and the dark web, and how cryptocurrencies and anonymous online marketplaces have revolutionized drug marke...
Oct 22, 2018•1 hr 31 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz would rather you were dead than use drugs. This is the take-away message from her recent article critical of fentanyl testing strips, the only tool we have that can detect fentanyl in heroin, cocaine and other drugs before they are consumed. Dr. McCance-Katz heads the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the federal Department of Health and Human Services, and is supposed to be helping lead us out of the current opioid crisis, ...
Oct 06, 2018•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This is a teaser for episode three of our Patreon.com subscriber podcast, Drug Nonsense. In the full episode we cover not only the MDMA octopus study, but crack pipe vending machines, Trump at the UN, expensive trip sitters, Australia wanting to ban music festivals, and more. To listen to the full episode and get instant access to all the others, head over to Patreon !
Sep 29, 2018•6 min
Do psychedelics have any generalizable effects on the political consciousness of people who use them? Studies show that people who use psychedelics generally score higher in the personality trait of openness, which is correlated with greater tolerance and liberal cultural values. But is there a causal effect happening? And is the US Army secretly testing MDMA on active duty soldiers in order to create more effective killers? We spend an hour with David Nickles, underground researcher and moderat...
Sep 22, 2018•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Elon Musk did not actually smoke weed on the Joe Rogan podcast, despite the entire media claiming otherwise. The video makes it perfectly clear. This is a special, free episode of our Patreon subscriber podcast, Drug Nonsense , where we expose the falsehoods and sheer idiocy of the mainstream media's reporting about drugs.
Sep 12, 2018•26 min
On June 17th, 1971, Richard Nixon launched the so-called "War on Drugs." Now, 47 years later a new generation of psychedelic users are taking the lead to end it. Working in solidarity with the communities most affected, today's new psychedelic advocates bring the lessons of the past four decades of reform activism to bear in calling for rational drug policies that protect both civil and human rights. Ashley Booth In this episode we speak to Ashley Booth, founder of the Aware Project: Rethinking ...
Sep 08, 2018•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 6
In this special, live episode of Drug Positive, we hang out in the lobby of the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater after watching the world premiere of comedian Shane Mauss's documentary, Psychonautics. We interview Shane as well as a number of movie-goers and ask them about the most memorable psychedelic experiences. Warning: This episode promotes drug use.
Aug 30, 2018•39 min•Season 1Ep. 6
How was MDMA invented? Who came up with the idea to add a methyl group to MDA, the "hug drug" of the 1960s? Forget the irrelevant Merck patent of 1913. We found the person who "thought up" MDMA as a recreational drug. In 1975, on a hunch, Carl R. suggested to Sasha Shulgin that they methylate MDA. Later that Summer, they made a batch of MDMA together in a UC Berkeley laboratory, and Carl and his girlfriend were the first people on the planet (that we know of) to try it. This is part 2 of the sec...
Aug 21, 2018•47 min•Season 1Ep. 5
You may think you know the history of MDMA, but in this conversation with historian Dr. Torsten Passie, we discover it's weirder than we thought. From the Rajneesh cult in Oregon to the hills of Tennessee to the home of Panama's former dictator, Manuel Noriega, the history of MDMA is full of surprises, as well as mystery and intrigue. This is part one of a two-part series on the secret history of MDMA. Hold on to your baggies, because you're in for a wild ride! Edited by Emanuel Sferios Sound en...
Aug 16, 2018•59 min•Season 1Ep. 4
We do not have an overdose crisis. We have a poisoned drug supply. Fentanyl and its analogs are killing tens of thousands of Americans every year. Alarmingly and with ominous future implications, fentanyl-laced cocaine fatalities in Ohio are now outstripping fentanyl-laced herion fatalities. This trend began in 2016 but the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), who operates the three state crime labs that first learned about it, never made the data public. In this episode we speak with De...
Aug 10, 2018•56 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Every week, millions of people around the world re-create themselves with MDMA. They might take the drug and go out dancing, or they might stay at home and have intimate conversations with their spouse, or with a small group of friends. But either way, everyone who uses MDMA makes a determination that the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Are they right? In this episode we spend an hour discussing the benefits of MDMA with Dr. Ben Sessa, child and adolescent psychiatrist with the ...
Aug 04, 2018•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 2
