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