Lecture by Prof. David Nutt

On Thursday, May 14, at 6:00 PM, prominent psychiatrist and Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology David Nutt will deliver a lecture entitled: "Science vs. Stigma: Less Harm and More Benefits from Psychoactive Substances." The event is part of the program for this year's Sofia Science Festival at Sofia Tech Park.

Numerous active substances have long been subject to policies ostensibly designed to reduce the harms of their use, but in reality, these are driven by political machinations and moral judgments. In addition to being unjust and promoting the use of relatively more harmful yet legal addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco, these policies severely hinder scientific research and clinical treatment.

The most egregious example is the global ban on psychedelics, introduced under the 1971 UN Conventions, which remains in effect today. Others, such as cannabis and MDMA, are also prohibited, albeit more recently. These prohibitions represent the worst censorship of research in the history of science, obstructing patient-focused studies for decades.

The extent of the harm caused by this ban is becoming evident through the recent renaissance in research into medical cannabis, psilocybin, and MDMA. These studies have revealed profound therapeutic effects on conditions such as addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.

Prof. David Nutt from Imperial College London will walk you through the misconceptions driving international bans; he will present the latest data on the comparative safety of these substances and reveal some of the neuroscientific breakthroughs that help explain their therapeutic effects.

Read more on the subject in his book, "Psychedelics" – pick up a copy and get it signed by the author after the lecture.