Prof. David Nutt, PhD (b. 1951) is a world-renowned psychiatrist, neuropsychopharmacologist, and one of the most influential researchers studying the impact of psychoactive substances on the human brain. He holds the prestigious Edmond J. Safra Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London and heads the Brain Sciences Division at Hammersmith Hospital. His research focuses on the mechanisms of addiction, the therapeutic potential of psychoactive compounds in psychiatry and neurology, and the objective assessment of risks associated with alcohol and drug use.
Professor Nutt’s scientific contribution is monumental—with over 500 original research papers, he belongs to the elite group of the top 0.1% of most-cited researchers in the world. Utilizing cutting-edge neuroimaging techniques such as PET, fMRI, and MEG, he has redrawn the boundaries of our understanding of neural networks. In recognition of his dedication to empirical truth, he was awarded the John Maddox Prize (2013) by Nature/Sense about Science for standing up for science in the face of political pressure, and in 2010, The Times Eureka named him one of the 100 most important figures in British science.
Within the Iztok-Zapad Publishing House catalog, Prof. David Nutt is represented by titles that dismantle myths and offer a rational perspective on the complex relationship between chemistry and consciousness:
- "Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health" – A fundamental study of the effects of alcohol that combines medical precision with practical advice for health and longevity;
- "Psychedelics" – An in-depth overview of the new renaissance in psychiatry, exploring how substances like psilocybin can treat depression and treatment-resistant conditions;
- "Drugs: Without the Hot Air" – Winner of the Transmission Prize, this book is a benchmark for objective non-fiction, analyzing the real dangers of various substances beyond ideological rhetoric.
Prof. Nutt has held leadership positions in Europe’s most significant scientific organizations, including President of the European Brain Council and the British Neuroscience Association. As the founder of the charity Drug Science, he remains an uncompromising advocate for evidence-based drug policy. His work not only transforms medicine but also provides society with the necessary tools for informed choice and a healthier future.
