Carl Hart || Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Today we welcome Carl Hart. He is the Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He is known for his research on neuropsychopharmacology and his advocacy for the decriminalization of recreational drugs. Carl is the author of High Price and has co-authored the introductory textbook Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior with Charles Ksir. His most recent book is called Drug Use for Grown-Ups.

In this episode, I talk to Carl Hart about drug use and addiction. Society is quick to judge all drug users as addicts but Carl’s research found that the majority of drug users do not meet the criteria for pathology. Recreational drugs, when used responsibly, can have positive effects on people. Instead of waging a war on drugs, Carl advocates for laws that better regulate the production and sale of substances. We also touch on the topics of health, law, racism, cognition, and sociology.

Website: drcarlhart.com

Twitter: @drcarlhart

Topics

Carl’s interest in neuropsychopharmacology
The brain disease model of addiction
Should we talk about drugs with kids?
Responsible drug use for grown-ups
Drugs in pursuit of happiness
The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act
Scott’s experience with edibles
Why we need drug checking facilities
The drug user tropes in media
Predictors of drug abuse and addiction
Drug overdose and safety
Personal responsibility in drug addiction
Our moralism is killing us
Coming out as a heroin user
Bob Marley and James Baldwin

About the guest

Carl Hart

Podcast Guest

Carl Hart is an American neuroscientist and the Mamie Phipps Clark Professor of Psychology at Columbia University, where his research focuses on the behavioral and neuropharmacological effects of psychoactive drugs in humans. He is the author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear.

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Carl Hart || Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Carl Hart

11 years ofhuman possibility

11 years of
human possibility