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In this episode of Laughing with Letta, Sheletta Brundidge speaks with Washington County Health about how opioid settlement funds are being put to work. The county has partnered with eight local organizations to provide support, resources, and hope for families impacted by the opioid crisis. Together, they're building a stronger, healthier community. Tune in to hear how these partnerships are making a real difference on the ground.
New York City Rent stabilized apartments are getting a price hike. Starting tomorrow, renters will have a 3% increase on one-year leases and a 4.5% rise on two-year leases. This applies to about 1 million apartments across the city. New York City is looking to secure millions of dollars in a settlement from Purdue Pharma, the makers of Oxycontin, to tackle the ongoing opioid crisis. WFUV's Xenia Gonikberg tells us more about what it means for the city. As New York state opens the door to full-scale casinos in the five boroughs, millionaires, celebrities, and political insiders are staking their bets in what's seen as a high stakes gamble for the city's future. Host/Producer: Lainey Nguyen Editor: Tess Novotny Reporter: Xenia Gonikberg Reporter: Joseph Vizza Theme Music: Joe Bergsieker
Join Dr. Gail Donofrio, an emergency physician and addiction specialist, as she leads a compelling discussion with Dr. Nick Simpson and Dr. Gerard Carroll about the transformative impact of EMS-initiated buprenorphine on opiate overdose care. The panel explores the development of this innovative practice, the successes and challenges encountered, the importance of reframing opioid use disorder as a medical issue, and concrete steps for implementation. Learn about the vital role of pre-hospital providers in bridging treatment gaps and improving patient outcomes. This essential session is part of the SAEM podcast series on EMS-initiated buprenorphine, funded by SAMHSA. Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI086770 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Opioid overdose is the #1 killer of 18-45 year olds in America. The crisis is not over, and we are still prescribing these addictive substances for pain management at an ...
Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions Checkout the video here.Opioids and Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Risks and AlternativesIn this episode of the Conquering Your Fibromyalgia podcast, the host delves into the complex and often controversial topic of using opioids for treating fibromyalgia. The discussion is anchored around a comprehensive review from the Mayo Proceedings and explores why opioids, despite being widely prescribed, are not effective for fibromyalgia patients and may even be harmful. The podcast also covers the mechanisms of fibromyalgia, how it differs from other pain disorders, and why alternative treatments such as FDA-approved medications, exercise, sleep management, and cognitive behavioral therapy are more effective. Listeners are encouraged to seek professional medical advice before making any changes to their treatment plans.00:00 Introduction to Opioids and Fibromyalgia01:23 Understanding Fibromyalgia and Opioid Use03:18 Medical Guidelines and Opioid Efficacy05:39 Neuroimaging Insights and Opioid Hyperalgesia07:28 Expert Opinions and Alternative Treatments08:28 Reasons for Continued Opioid Prescriptions09:27 Psychological and Social Factors10:26 Moving Forward: Multidisciplinary Care12:14 Guidance for Current Opioid Users16:24 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Support the showWhen I started this podcast—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That's why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you've been told fibromyalgia “isn't real” or that it's “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. You're not alone. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you'll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 28+ years as an MD. Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn't replace personal medical advice.* ...
Pennsylvania Montgomery County Commissioner Jamila Winder joins our host Heather Major for episode 3 of Someone You Know. This episode was recorded in May 2025 in front of a live studio audience. In this episode, we discuss: The vast career of Commissioner Winder, spanning various roles in health and human services, particularly with underserved populations The personal connection that influenced her choice to join this line of work. The innovative and strategic ways Montgomery County is striving to use the opioid settlement dollars, to make a real impact. Collegiate Recovery Programs - and how 4 institutions in Montgomery County alone have implemented this program. The importance of Connection in the substance use recovery journey Hosted by Heather Major, Executive Director, Independence Blue Cross Foundation. Recovery is possible, and help is available. Please visit our website to learn how we are collaborating to address this crisis: www.ibxfoundation.org. TM 2025 Someone You Know®. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimers The information contained in this podcast is solely for informational purposes and should not replace advice from a medical provider when making healthcare decisions. This podcast contains opinionated content and may not reflect the opinions of any organizations this podcast is affiliated with. Nothing discussed in this podcast shall constitute or should be construed as endorsement by the Independence Blue Cross Foundation or Independence Blue Cross, LLC of any product or service discussed herein. We will discuss opioid use and opioid treatment, which may be triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is suffering from opioid addiction, please visit ibxfoundation.org/SYK.
The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved funding to Copperstone Development from the county's opioid settlement funds in their meeting Tuesday.
Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Elizabeth Van Nostrand of Temple University about her recent paper exploring how Indiana adults participating in treatment court program tended to have better health outcomes than individuals who applied and were accepted but chose not to participate.Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast
Combating the Opioid crisis in the capital city. Fentanyl Harm Prevention Kits and Emergency Overdose Boxes are now in the hands of first responders.Then, a new online tool is launched to address Mississippi's childcare shortages. Plus, Sickle Cell disease causes severe pain and even death. Efforts are underway to raise awareness about the disease and find a cure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clemens Fischer has never smoked pot in his life, but he believes his new experimental drug could reap billions in sales—and change millions of lives. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Episode 203: Microinduction and harm reduction in OUD. Nathan Bui and Sanjay Reddy describe how to manage opioid use disorder (OUD) by using microinduction and harm reduction, strategies that are reshaping the way we treat opioid use disorder. Written by Sanjay Reddy, OMSIV and Nathan Bui, OMSIV. Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.IntroWelcome to episode 203 of Rio Bravo qWeek, your weekly dose of knowledge.Today, we're tackling one of the biggest health challenges of our time: opioid use disorder, or OUD. Nearly every community in America has been touched by it: families, friends, even healthcare providers themselves. For decades, treatment has been surrounded by barriers, painful withdrawals, stigma, and strict rules that often do more harm than good. Too many people who need help never make it past those walls. But here's the hopeful part, new approaches are rewriting the story. They are less about rigid rules and more about meeting people where they are. Two of the most promising strategies for treatment of OUD are buprenorphine microinduction and harm reduction. Let's learn why these two connected strategies could change the future of addiction recovery. Background information of treatment: The X-waiver (short for DATA 2000 waiver) was a special DEA requirement for prescribing buprenorphine for opioid use disorder. Doctors used to take extra training (8 hours) and apply for it. Then, they could prescribe buprenorphine to a very limited number of patients. The X-waiverhelped regulate buprenorphine but also created barriers to access treatment to OUD. It was eliminated in January 2023 and now all clinicians with a standard DEA registration no longer need a waiver to prescribe buprenorphine for OUD. Why buprenorphine?Buprenorphine is one of the safest and most effective medications for opioid use disorder. It has some key attributes that make it both therapeutic and extremely safe: 1) As a partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors, it binds and provides enough partial stimulation to prevent cravings and withdrawal symptoms without producing strong euphoria associated with full agonists. 2) Because it has a strong binding affinity compared to full agonists, it easily displaces other opioids that may be occupying the receptor. 3) As an antagonist at kappa-opioid receptors, it contributes to improved mood and reduced stress-induced cravings. 4) The “ceiling effect”: increasing the dosage past a certain point does not produce a stronger opioid effect. This ceiling effect reduces the risk of respiratory depression and overdose, making it a safer option than full agonists. 5) It also had mild analgesic effects, reducing pain. 6) Long duration of action: The strong binding affinity and slow dissociation from the mu-opioid receptor are responsible for buprenorphine's long half-life of 24–60 hours. This prolonged action allows for once-daily dosing in medication-assisted treatment for OUD. Induction vs microinduction:The problem is, starting it—what's called “induction”—can be really tough. Patients usually need to stop opioids and go through a period of withdrawal first. Drugs like fentanyl, which can cause precipitated withdrawal —a sudden, severe crash may push people back to using opioids. Because buprenorphine binds so tightly to the mu-opioid receptor, it can displace other opioids, such as heroin or methadone. If buprenorphine is taken while a person still has other opioids in their system, it can trigger sudden and severe withdrawal symptoms.Opioid withdrawal sign sand symptoms:Opioid withdrawal symptoms are very uncomfortable; patients may even get aggressive during withdrawals. As a provider, once you meet one of these patients you never forget how uncomfortable and nasty they can be. The symptoms are lacrimation or rhinorrhea, piloerection "goose flesh," myalgia, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, pupillary dilation, photophobia, insomnia, autonomic hyperactivity (tachypnea, hyperreflexia, tachycardia, sweating, hypertension, hyperthermia), and yawning. Think about all the symptoms you run for COWS (Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale). It is estimated 85 % of opioid-using patients who inject drugs (PWID) reported opioid withdrawal. Fortunately, even though opioid withdrawal is very uncomfortable, it is not life-threatening (unlike alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, which can be fatal).Many patients who start the journey treating opioid use disorder experience “bumps in the road” --they avoid treatment or drop out early. What is Microinduction? Microinduction is a fairly new strategy started in Switzerland around 2016. It is also known as the “Bernese method” (named after the city of Bern, Switzerland). With this method, instead of stopping opioids cold turkey, patients start with tiny doses of buprenorphine—fractions of a milligram. These doses gradually increase over several days while the patient continues their regular opioid use. While they begin this titer, they can continue use of the full agonist they were previously using–methadone, fentanyl, or heroin, while the buprenorphine begins to take effect. Once the buprenorphine builds up to a therapeutic level, the full agonist is stopped. This method uses buprenorphine's unique pharmacology to stabilize the brain's opioid system without triggering those really nasty withdrawal symptoms.Early studies and case reports suggest this is safe, tolerable, and effective method to do. Microinduction is changing the game, and it has been spreading quickly in North America. Instead of forcing patients to stop opioids completely, the dose is slowly increased over the next three to seven days, while the patient keeps using their usual opioids.By the end of that week, the buprenorphine has built up to a therapeutic level and the full agonist is stopped. The difference is really dramatic. Instead of a painful crash into withdrawal, patients describe the process as a gentle step down, or a ramp instead of a cliff. It's a flexible method. It can be done in a hospital, a clinic, or even outpatient with good follow-up. Once a patient and doctor develop a strong relationship built on the principles of patient autonomy and patient-centered care, microinduction can be closely monitored on a monthly basis including televisits. Microinduction has been shown to help more patients stay in treatment. The Role of Harm Reduction Instead of demanding perfection, harm reduction focuses on best practices providers can implement to reduce risk and keep patients safe. Harm reduction can vary from providing naloxone to reverse overdoses, giving out clean syringes, or offering safer injection education. It also means allowing patients to stay in treatment even if they keep using other substances, and tailoring care for groups like adolescents, parents, or people recently released from incarceration. Harm reduction says that instead of demanding perfection, let's focus on progress. Instead of all-or-nothing, let's devote resources to keeping people alive and safe. As mentioned,an option is providing naloxone kits so overdoses can be reversed in the moment. Also, giving out clean syringes so the risk of HIV or hepatitis infection is reduced while injecting heroin. Another way to reduce harm is teaching safer injection practices so people can protect themselves until they're ready for that next step in their treatment. It also means keeping the doors open, even when patients slip. If someone is still using other substances, they still deserve care. And it means tailoring support for groups who oftentimes get left behind. For people like adolescents, parents balancing childcare, or people coming out of incarceration who are at the highest risk of overdose. Harm reduction recognizes that recovery isn't a straight line. It's about meeting people where they are and walking with them forward. Conclusion:Microinduction is itself a harm reduction strategy. It lowers barriers by removing the need for painful withdrawal.When paired with a harm reduction culture in clinics, patients are more likely to enter care, stay engaged, and build trust with doctors for continued care. Managing opioid use disorder is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. But solutions like buprenorphine microinduction and harm reduction strategies are reshaping treatment—making it safer, more humane, and more accessible. If we embrace these approaches, we can turn barriers into bridges and help more people find recovery. Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you. Send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Bluthenthal, R. N., Simpson, K., Ceasar, R. C., Zhao, J., Wenger, L., & Kral, A. H. (2020). Opioid withdrawal symptoms, frequency, and pain characteristics as correlates of health risk among people who inject drugs. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, volume 211, 1 June 2020, 107932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.107932.De Aquino, J. P., Parida, S., & Sofuoglu, M. (2021). The pharmacology of buprenorphine microinduction for opioid use disorder. Clinical Drug Investigation, 41 (5), 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40261-021-01032-7. Taylor, J. L., Johnson, S., Cruz, R., Gray, J. R., Schiff, D., & Bagley, S. M. (2021). Integrating harm reduction into outpatient opioid use disorder treatment settings. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36 (12), 3810–3819. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-021-06904-4.Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.
Ed Mahon reported on a recent public meeting of a statewide panel responsible for determining how Pennsylvania will use millions of dollars from settlements with opioid makers and distributors. The funds are intended to help address the ongoing opioid crisis, but questions remain about how to balance immediate needs with long-term strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery. Meanwhile, Danielle Ohl reported on a cyber-attack that disrupted operations at the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. Details of the breach are still being investigated, but officials said the attack raised concerns about the security of sensitive information and the resilience of the state’s digital infrastructure.Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Why are pain patients treated like criminals, while people on Suboxone are celebrated as brave survivors?This isn't just stigma, it's a system. One that quietly rewrote the rules of who deserves compassion... and who gets discarded.In this video, we introduce a lens called Critical Drug Theory, based on Critical Theory, which helps explain how power, identity, and moral narratives shape public policy. It's a way to understand why people with addiction are often seen as victims in need of care, while stable pain patients are labeled as privileged or problematic, even when both need medication.We break down how these narratives gained power, how they've influenced opioid policy, and why the system was rigged to treat pain relief as dangerous, but daily addiction treatment as virtuous.This video gives language to something many patients have felt but couldn't name. It's not political, and it's not a conspiracy. It's just the truth about how we got here and who got hurt along the way.
Dr. Pouya Azar stops by the show to talk about his recent article Transition to Extended-release Buprenorphine Injectable Within Seven Days for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Narrative. He discusses the potential benefits of transitioning patients with opioid use disorder from traditional to extended-release or long-acting buprenorphine within 7 days or 24 hours, respectively, of treatment, as well as challenges and future questions that arose from his narrative review. Pouya Azar, MD, FRCPC, DABAM, is a clinician-scientist in addiction psychiatry and pain medicine based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He serves as co-medical manager of the Complex Pain and Addiction Service (CPAS) at Vancouver Coastal Health, a consult service providing management of pain, mental health disorders, and substance use disorders across Vancouver General Hospital, the University of British Columbia (UBC) Hospital, and GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre. He is also an assistant professor (tenure-track) in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, research scientist co-lead of the Substance Use Disorder Clinical Research Unit at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and a physician at the Vancouver General Hospital Transitional Pain Clinic. Dr. Azar's clinical and translational research focuses on developing novel opioid agonist treatment initiation and withdrawal management protocols, medical devices, digital health apps, and prevention programs to improve patient outcomes. - Article Link: Transition to Extended-release Buprenorphine Injectable Within Seven Days for Opioid Use Disorder Treatment: A Scoping Narrative
Calhoun County's opioid settlement funds - received from drugmakers in a settlement with many Michigan counties - are funding another round of grants to local non-profits.Calhoun County is slated to receive approximately $11 million in opioid settlement funds over the next two decades.Among the recipients: Life Recovery Programs at Battle Creek's The Haven of Rest, where just weeks before this discussion. Executive Director Daniel Jones appealed to the community amidst tough financial times that threatened the programs.Episode ResourcesCalhoun County Opioid Settlement Funds websiteCalhoun County Opioid websiteMichigan Association of Counties Opioid Settlement Resource CenterThe Haven of Rest MinistriesABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.
The Battle Creek Alano Club intends to use opioid settlement grant funds to create a safer space for those Calhoun County residents in recovery.The 2025 grants total nearly $600,000 the county is receiving in a settlement with drugmakers. The grants go to local organizations "...working to prevent, treat, and reduce the impacts of opioid use," according to the office of the Calhoun County Administrator/Controller.The Alano Club of Battle Creek will receive $100,000 to support the Recovery Grounds Cafe, described as a "safe and supportive space for individuals in recovery."Alano Club Executive Director Dan Schell joins Community Matters to reflect on the progress the grant expects to provide - as well as an overall expansion of impact in the community.Episode ResourcesAlano Club of Battle CreekABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays at 8:00 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.
Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Aimee Moulin of the University of California Davis about her recent paper exploring a model for low-barrier treatment of opioid use disorder that could increase emergency department patient navigation and Buprenorphine use.Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast
Controversial social studies standards are getting put on hold.Oklahoma State wants to look into the pervasive species kudzu.Calls are growing for more transparency into opioid settlement money in local communities.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Tik Tok and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.
Grow your management tools for opioid withdrawal in the hospital. Investigate how to decide between methadone and buprenorphine, additional medications to manage symptoms and how and when to use short-acting opioids for management of withdrawal. We're joined by Ashish Thakrar, MD at the University of Pennsylvania. Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! By listening to this episode and completing CME, this can be used to count towards the new DEA 8-hr requirement on substance use disorders education. Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | iTunes | CurbsidersAddictionMed@gmail.com | CME! Show Segments Intro, disclaimer, guest bio Guest one-liner Case from Kashlak; Definitions Symptoms of opioid withdrawal Medications for the management of opioid withdrawal Buprenorphine precipitated withdrawal Starting Buprenorphine: Experiences and Strategies Titrating Methadone: Dosage and Adjuncts Adjunctive short-acting opioids Emerging Trends in Drug Supply: Xylazine and Medetomidine Outro Credits Producer, Show Notes: Zina Huxley-Reicher Infographics: Zina Huxley-Reicher MD and Zoya Surani Hosts: Carolyn Chan, MD MHS, Zina Huxley-Reicher MD, Shawn Cohen, MD Reviewer: Payel Jhoom Roy, MD, MSc Showrunner: Carolyn Chan, MD, MHS Technical Production: PodPaste Guest: Ashish Thakrar, MD MHSP Sponsor: Mint Mobile Shop plans at MINTMOBILE.com/CURB Sponsor: Freed Use code: CURB50 to get $50 off your first month when you subscribe! Sponsor: FIGS We've teamed up with FIGS, and now Curbsiders listeners can get 15% off. Just go to WearFIGS.com and use code FIGSRX.
About this episode: This July, a dangerous influx of opioids triggered two mass overdose events in the Penn North neighborhood of Baltimore. A swift and nimble response from the city and community stakeholders resulted in zero fatalities. In this episode: Dr. Letitia Dzirasa and Sara Whaley from the City of Baltimore explain what happened, detail the multipronged emergency response, and share how the city plans to move forward in addressing the opioid crisis. Guest: Dr. Letitia Dzirasa is the Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services with the City of Baltimore. Sara Whaley, MPH, MSW, is the executive director of the City of Baltimore's Overdose Response Team. Host: Lindsay Smith Rogers, MA, is the producer of the Public Health On Call podcast, an editor for Expert Insights, and the director of content strategy for the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Show links and related content: Overdose Response Strategic Plan—City of Baltimore Community leaders, experts address Baltimore's overdose crisis—WEAA Baltimore mass overdose: 'Coordinated neighborhood stabilization response' launched in Penn-North—WBAL Transcript information: Looking for episode transcripts? Open our podcast on the Apple Podcasts app (desktop or mobile) or the Spotify mobile app to access an auto-generated transcript of any episode. Closed captioning is also available for every episode on our YouTube channel. Contact us: Have a question about something you heard? Looking for a transcript? Want to suggest a topic or guest? Contact us via email or visit our website. Follow us: @PublicHealthPod on Bluesky @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Instagram @JohnsHopkinsSPH on Facebook @PublicHealthOnCall on YouTube Here's our RSS feed Note: These podcasts are a conversation between the participants, and do not represent the position of Johns Hopkins University.
Mississippi has been received tens of millions of dollars in opioid settlements each year since 2022, and the use of those dollars has been mostly a mystery. But a Mississippi Today investigation this summer found that of over $124 million the state has received, less than $1 million has been used by public officials to address addiction. Managing editor Kate Royals and mental health reporter Allen Siegler speak with Tricia Christensen, a nationally recognized leader in overdose prevention and opioid settlement spending from Tennessee, about how this compares to other states and what it means for Mississippians harmed by the overdose epidemic.
When a company's values don't match its actions, the impact can be devastating. Kim and Amy speak with investigative journalist Gardiner Harris about his book, No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson. Harris uncovers how a company once seen as the gold standard of integrity used its famous “Credo” to build emotional trust while covering up harmful practices—from baby powder linked to cancer to its role in the opioid crisis. The conversation goes beyond one company, raising bigger questions about accountability, transparency, and the systems meant to keep us safe. It's a candid look at how misplaced trust can cause lasting damage—and what it really takes to create a culture where honesty and responsibility come first. Get all of the show notes at RadicalCandor.com/podcast. Episode Links: Gardiner Harris No More Tears: The Dark Secrets of Johnson & Johnson The Weekly | A Secret Opioid Memo That Could Have Slowed an Epidemic | The New York Times A Devastating New Exposé of Johnson & Johnson Indicts an Entire System | The New Republic The Johnson & Johnson Cancer Drug Scandal That Encapsulates Corruption In Health Care | STAT News J&J Is Back On The Legal Warpath After Striking Out In Baby Powder Bankruptcy | Reuters Antipsychotic Drugs and Nursing Home Residents: What Do the Different Numbers Mean? | Center for Medicare Advocacy Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Time of Fentanyl and Meth Physician Payments Sunshine Act (also known as the Open Payments program) Watch Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders | Netflix Connect: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Bluesky Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Kim and Amy introduce Gardiner Harris, investigative journalist and author. (00:01:01) No More Tears Why Gardiner's book hasn't been widely covered by the media. (00:07:35) Hidden Dangers of Products Overview of Johnson & Johnson's vast range of dangerous products. (00:15:13) Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes How antipsychotics were pushed to sedate elderly patients. (00:16:58) Opioids & Corporate Responsibility The role Johnson & Johnson played in the opioid epidemic. (00:24:04) The Power of Branding & Emotional Trust The exploitation of emotional branding to avoid accountability. (00:27:28) Incentives, Conflicts, & Complicity How financial incentives corrupted doctors, researchers, and hospitals (00:39:12) Breaking Points & Speaking Up Stories about the individuals affected by Johnson & Johnson. (00:47:27) The Cult of the Credo How J&J weaponized its corporate credo to silence whistleblowers. (00:52:19) How J&J Got Away With It The ways J&J avoided accountability and hid decades of misconduct. (00:57:36) Tylenol, Safety, & the Illusion of Trust The FDA's inability—or unwillingness—to enforce safety despite evidence. (01:03:29) Hope, Oversight & Individual Action How individual action and awareness can drive systemic change. (01:08:10) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A viewer question prompts Chris and Sophie to look into scrambler therapy. A medical therapy for chronic pain with a silly name that sounds like it should be pseudoscience, but actually isn't. How is it different from Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)? How good is the evidence and how much of the benefit is actually a placebo response. Become a supporter of our show today either on Patreon or through PayPal! Thank you! http://www.patreon.com/thebodyofevidence/ https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=9QZET78JZWCZE Email us your questions at thebodyofevidence@gmail.com. Editor: Robyn Flynn Theme music: “Fall of the Ocean Queen“ by Joseph Hackl Rod of Asclepius designed by Kamil J. Przybos Chris' book, Does Coffee Cause Cancer?: https://ecwpress.com/products/does-coffee-cause-cancer Obviously, Chris is not your doctor (probably). This podcast is not medical advice for you; it is what we call information. References: 1) 2016 review of scrambler therapy for chronic pain https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-016-3177-3 2) 2018 update https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735419845143 Key studies: Sabato (2005) – 226 patients: 80% had >50% pain reduction Marineo (2011) – RCT: 91% pain reduction in Scrambler group vs. 28% in controls Ricci (2012) – 82 patients: Mean pain scores dropped from 6.2/10 prior to treatment to 1.6 just after completing 10 treatment days to 2.9, 2 weeks after finishing treatment. Compagnone (2015) – 201 patients: pain went from 7.41 to 1.6 Notaro (2015) – All patients had ≥50% pain reduction; relief lasted ~8 weeks; sleep improved Pachman (2014) – 37 patients: 53% average pain reduction; effect lasted 10 weeks One ‘no results' study: Campbell (2013) – 14 patients, RCT with sham control; no improvement—but team lacked experience, which may have skewed results.
Dan Buck talks with country western singer Mary Kutter about her song The Devil Wore a Lab Coat, a bold take on the opioid epidemic and the pharmaceutical industry's role in devastating small-town America. Kutter opens up about how Big Pharma targeted vulnerable communities, the kickbacks given to doctors, and the widespread addiction that followed.
While doctors are prescribing fewer and fewer opioids, there's one that's not going away – buprenorphine, often known by its brand name of Suboxone. Compared to other narcotics, it's harder to abuse. It's far less dangerous than the synthetic street drugs. And it reduces the risk of overdosing. But it's still an opioid that is very hard to get off of. The number of Tennesseans prescribed these opioids as addiction treatment jumped by 40% in just five years. As we look this week at all sides of a philosophy known as “harm reduction,” today we focus on access to the opioids meant to get us out of the opioid crisis.GuestsLeslie Cole, MD, addiction physician, Springfield, Tenn.Josh Draper, program manager, Sumner Prevention CoalitionTracy Frame, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and director of the Flourish Mobile Clinic, Belmont UniversityChap Cuthbert, community response peer support, Mental Health Cooperative
A deep look at suicide prevention with Essentia's Dr. Kohlhase, a preview of Fargo's Drekkerfest 11, and Prairie Beat on opioids and the life-saving role of Narcan.
American's are dying by overdose in record numbers, victims of the worst opioid addiction epidemic in history. In Mobile, Alabama two doctors are serving up heavy doses of the dangerous drugs. One drug the doctors prescribe is 50 times more potent than heroin and the multi-billion dollar drug company that makes it is paying them to push it. While both the drug maker and these doctors are unrelenting in turning patients' pain into enormous profits, some families of those who die hold the doctors responsible. (Original television broadcast: 3/5/2018) Want to binge watch your Greed? Full episodes and the latest news at: https://www.cnbc.com/american-greed/
Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) at the National Institutes of Health, to discuss addiction as a brain disorder, treatments for opioid use disorder, and what's next in addiction research. Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs, which focuses on insights on the opioid crisis.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast
Paul Howe, COO of Protega Pharmaceuticals, is focused on how abuse-deterrent technology can address the opioid crisis and the need for mandates for insurance coverage of safer abuse-deterrent formulations. The SentryBond technology was specifically designed for immediate-release opioids to make it difficult to manipulate pills for abuse via crushing, inhaling, or injecting. Protega partnered with software company Opus to offer a program that helps educate chronic pain patients, manage their treatment, and provides physicians with risk stratification data to improve care and reduce the likelihood of abuse. Paul explains, "Most importantly from our standpoint is to protect from the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion, which is escalation from orally taking medications to crushing, inhaling, injecting, or smoking. Unfortunately, when that escalation happens, many times patients end up on illicit fentanyl and heroin through the black market. So what we're trying to do is stop that escalation through our abuse deterrent technology and our medication. It's called SentryBond abuse deterrent technology, the company's Protega Pharmaceuticals." "We also have a software program that we're now offering to physicians that deal and work with a lot of patients with chronic pain that really helps patients with chronic pain understand how to treat their pain and also titrate down off medications when possible, or at least get on the lowest possible dose and try multimodal care, try other types of avenues of procedures, different things they can do to help with their chronic pain." #ProtegaPharmaceuticals #PainManagement #ChronicPain #OpioidAbuse #OpioidPolicy #AbuseDeterrent. protegapharma.com Download the transcript here
Paul Howe, COO of Protega Pharmaceuticals, is focused on how abuse-deterrent technology can address the opioid crisis and the need for mandates for insurance coverage of safer abuse-deterrent formulations. The SentryBond technology was specifically designed for immediate-release opioids to make it difficult to manipulate pills for abuse via crushing, inhaling, or injecting. Protega partnered with software company Opus to offer a program that helps educate chronic pain patients, manage their treatment, and provides physicians with risk stratification data to improve care and reduce the likelihood of abuse. Paul explains, "Most importantly from our standpoint is to protect from the risk of misuse, abuse, and diversion, which is escalation from orally taking medications to crushing, inhaling, injecting, or smoking. Unfortunately, when that escalation happens, many times patients end up on illicit fentanyl and heroin through the black market. So what we're trying to do is stop that escalation through our abuse deterrent technology and our medication. It's called SentryBond abuse deterrent technology, the company's Protega Pharmaceuticals." "We also have a software program that we're now offering to physicians that deal and work with a lot of patients with chronic pain that really helps patients with chronic pain understand how to treat their pain and also titrate down off medications when possible, or at least get on the lowest possible dose and try multimodal care, try other types of avenues of procedures, different things they can do to help with their chronic pain." #ProtegaPharmaceuticals #PainManagement #ChronicPain #OpioidAbuse #OpioidPolicy #AbuseDeterrent. protegapharma.com Listen to the podcast here
9/8/25: Farmer's Almanac editor Carol Connare on winter weather predictions. Megan Zinn w/ local sci-fi & fantasy author Elizabeth Bear on "The Folded Sky" & "Angel Maker." Holyoke Mayor Josh Garcia: storm damage, opioid settlement funds, & the 9/16 Preliminary. Prof Amilcar Shabazz & Tom Weiner: the threat to Black Studies in US, & Dr. Johnnetta Cole's talk on what to do about it.
Send us a textNavy veteran Saja Ramos shares her powerful journey from military service to addiction recovery, now serving as VP of Military and Veteran Affairs at American Addiction Centers. After a traumatic brain injury and vision loss from a car accident in Italy, she transformed her personal struggle with opioid addiction into a mission helping other veterans find treatment and purpose.• Joined the Navy in 2008 after high school, working in Information Technology in Sicily, Italy• Suffered a car accident resulting in TBI, PTSD, and vision loss in her right eye• Medically transitioned from service in 2011, leading to struggles with opioid addiction• Completed four months in residential treatment and nine months in sober living• Earned degrees in interdisciplinary studies and social work using her GI Bill• Now helps veterans access addiction treatment at American Addiction Centers• Works with clinical teams to ensure veterans receive appropriate, specialized care• Advocates for better veteran screening and assessment in healthcare settings• Challenges the stigma around veteran identity, especially for women and non-combat veterans• Practices "recovering out loud" to inspire others on their journey to healingFor veterans seeking help with addiction or substance use disorders, call American Addiction Centers at 866-288-1836 or reach Saja directly at 908-239-6417.
LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ What if the natural cure you've been searching for has been buried under decades of propaganda and misinformation? In this episode of Dropping Bombs, I sit down with William O'Boyle – former college athlete, recovered addict, and founder of Meda Leaf Farms – to unpack the truth about CBD, CBG, hemp, and how these natural compounds are transforming lives. With RFK championing plant-based healing, they explore why hemp could be the key to real wellness. William shares his powerful story of battling opioid addiction, overcoming a near-death experience, and how one gummy opened the door to a new life. Brad and William dive into CBD benefits for sleep, anxiety, ADHD, CTE, and pain relief, plus why the endocannabinoid system is one of the most overlooked parts of your health. They also expose the history of hemp criminalization, the industries that killed it, and why it's time to reclaim your health using plant-based medicine.
This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson and Policy Associate Sarah Sample sit down with Anne Arundel Deputy County Attorney Hamilton Tyler to unpack a local case now headed to the Maryland Supreme Court on September 9. At the center of the case: whether counties can bring public nuisance claims tied to the staggering costs of the opioid crisis.How did this case start? What does it mean for local governments footing the bill for abatement and recovery? And why is the state's highest court taking it up now? Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the legal journey, what's at stake for counties, and how the outcome could shape the way governments confront public health crises in the future.Follow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook
Picture this, a powerful synthetic opioid that quietly morphs into one of the nation's most lethal drug crises. A drug that can be slipped undetected into heroin, counterfeit pills...the nation's bloodstream. You've seen and may have even been touched by the devastating impact of fentanyl. And now, a different class of ultrapotent synthetic opioids called nitazenes are following an eerily familiar path. Just how dangerous are these drugs and where are they coming from? Dr. Gregory McDonald, chair of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, joins USA TODAY's The Excerpt to unpack those questions and more.Please let us know what you think of this episode by sending a note to podcasts@usatoday.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) present to the hospital setting for a variety of reasons, so emergency and inpatient pharmacists increasingly need to have a working knowledge of OUD, its treatment modalities, and other factors that affect the management of these patients. This podcast will discuss aspects of care from presentation to discharge, dispel common misconceptions about the management of OUD and acute pain, and promote a standardized approach to care of an often-marginalized population of patients. The information presented during the podcast reflects solely the opinions of the presenter. The information and materials are not, and are not intended as, a comprehensive source of drug information on this topic. The contents of the podcast have not been reviewed by ASHP, and should neither be interpreted as the official policies of ASHP, nor an endorsement of any product(s), nor should they be considered as a substitute for the professional judgment of the pharmacist or physician.
Health Affairs' Rob Lott interviews Brendan Saloner of Brown University about his recent paper exploring how scaling up opioid treatment and harm reduction programs could reach more people. Order the September 2025 issue of Health Affairs.Currently, more than 70 percent of our content is freely available - and we'd like to keep it that way. With your support, we can continue to keep our digital publication Forefront and podcast
"Literally with one prescription, it hijacked Christopher's brain and the addiction started." - Cammie Wolf Rice Cammie Wolf Rice is the founder of the CWC Alliance, an initiative developed in response to the tragic loss of her son, Christopher, to opioid misuse. Her career is marked by a dedicated transformation of personal grief into a powerful healthcare campaign aiming to rectify systemic gaps in pain management and substance use prevention. Rice spearheaded the development of the Life Care Specialist (LCS) role in healthcare, a pioneering position designed to ensure comprehensive, trauma-informed care. Her efforts have been recognized as subjects of studies at Harvard Business School and endorsed in Georgia's House Study Committee on opioid alternatives. Episode Summary: In this emotionally powerful episode of "Oh, My Health... There is Hope!" host Jana Short sits down with Cammie Wolf Rice, a remarkable advocate for opioid misuse awareness and prevention. The episode unveils Cammie's poignant journey following the unfortunate death of her son, Christopher, due to opioid addiction. Fueled by personal tragedy, Cammie established the CWC Alliance and introduced the Life Care Specialist role within healthcare settings to bridge crucial gaps in patient care, emphasizing trauma-informed pain management. Throughout the conversation, key themes of addiction awareness, healthcare improvements, and alternative pain management come to the fore. Cammie speaks candidly about the moments that shaped her advocacy, detailing the challenges and breakthroughs in her mission. Central to the discussion is her written work, "The Flight My Opioid Journey," which offers support and resources to those affected by similar stories. The episode is a compelling reminder of the opioid crisis's impact on families while highlighting Cammie's persistent drive to ensure no other parent experiences the same loss. Key Takeaways: Turning Tragedy into Purpose: Cammie Wolf Rice channels her grief over losing her son into proactive efforts to address opioid misuse, creating impactful change in healthcare systems. Introduction of the Life Care Specialist Role: This pioneering role in hospitals serves as a patient advocate, ensuring trauma-informed care and supporting patients with non-addictive pain management strategies. Educational Initiatives: Cammie's book and app recommendations aim to raise awareness and provide resources for substance misuse prevention, encouraging informed decision-making. Wider Societal Stigma: The discussion highlights the importance of overcoming the stigma associated with addiction to foster an environment of understanding and proactive care. Expanding Impact: The continuation of efforts to include life care specialists in more hospitals, backed by opioid settlement funds, showcases the ongoing work to improve healthcare responses to addiction. Resources: Website: https://cwc.ngo/ https://cammiewolfrice.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cammierice/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/cwcalliance Get a free subscription to the Best Holistic Life Magazine, one of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine. Get in touch with Jana and listen to more podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz: https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Grab your FREE gift today: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/
On this episode of the VinnyRoc Podcast, Vincent Vargas sits down with John Ramsey, Senior R&D Manager at Diversified Botanics, to dive into a powerful conversation about natural medicine, CBD, kratom, and the dangers of 7-hydroxy mitragynine (7-OH). John, a veteran and former Army medic, shares his journey from the military to the hemp and CBD industry, explaining how natural remedies like CBD and kratom helped him avoid the destructive cycle of pharmaceutical painkillers. Together, Vince and John explore: The truth about CBD isolate and why it became a breakthrough in non-psychoactive relief. How the endocannabinoid system works and why our bodies are designed to receive cannabinoids. What kratom really is, its traditional uses, and how it differs from synthetic and dangerous 7-hydroxy extracts. The opioid epidemic in the military and how kratom may help support recovery. Why Diversified Botanics is fighting to eliminate 7-OH and create safe, transparent, third-party tested products. This episode is about cutting through the noise, misinformation, and stigma to give you a clearer picture of CBD, kratom, and the fight to keep natural remedies safe. If you want to support the petition to regulate and restrict 7-hydroxy, check the link here: https://www.change.org/p/protect-our-heroes-stop-the-deception-destroying-lives
Madison Hluchan, ASTHO Assistant Director of Medicaid Health Systems Partnerships, details how a new ASTHO resource can help your team with the Rural Health Transformation Program; and JoAnne Deehr, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, shares prevention and response policies to reduce overdoses involving synthetic opioids. ASTHO Blog Article: Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program ASTHO Blog Article: Prevention and Response Policies to Reduce Overdoses Involving Synthetic Opioids ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
We're joined by Dr. Karl Benzio, Chief Psychiatric Officer at Honey Lake Clinic and Medical Director at the American Association of Christian Counselors. With his decades of experience in psychiatry and addiction treatment, Dr. Benzio is raising the alarm on a growing problem, the explosion of sports betting in America. As states rush to legalize and profit from gambling, he warns this may turn into the next opioid-level crisis, leaving families shattered and lives destroyed. Dr. Benzio will break down why the addictive pull of sports betting is so dangerous, what patterns he's already seeing, and how America must respond before it spirals out of control.
The opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across Maryland, and Baltimore City remains at the forefront of both the crisis and the response. In this episode, Karrington Anderson from the MACo policy team sits down with Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter to discuss the city's evolving strategies for confronting opioid misuse, saving lives, and investing in long-term recovery.Councilwoman Porter shares how her lived experience and legislative leadership shape her work, the city's preliminary Overdose Response Strategic Plan, and the critical role of equity in harm reduction. From settlement funds and access to treatment to housing, workforce support, and stigma reduction, this conversation explores how Baltimore is working to turn immediate responses into lasting change—while providing lessons for counties and communities statewide.Follow us on Socials!MACo on TwitterMACo on Facebook
Host Dr. Shawn McNeil is joined by Dr. Robert Sherrick to discuss his new article Relationship Between Methadone Induction Dosing and Retention in Treatment in Opioid Treatment Programs featured in the July/August issue of the Journal of Addiction Medicine. Robert Sherrick, MD, DFASAM, is chief science officer for Community Medical Services, a company that serves patients through over 70 Opioid Treatment Programs in 12 states. He also has experience working at an inpatient addiction treatment facility, Pathways Treatment Center, treating all forms of substance use disorders and dual diagnosis patients. Dr. Sherrick has been providing medication treatment for opioid use disorder since 2003, initially in an office setting using buprenorphine and subsequently with methadone in Opioid Treatment Programs. He established a state-wide buprenorphine treatment program for VA Montana with extensive use of telemedicine. He is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. He is past president of the Northwest Chapter of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). - Article: Relationship Between Methadone Induction Dosing and Retention in Treatment in Opioid Treatment Programs
Welcome (back) to the Opioidology podcast series! Next up to bat, ‘Opioid Selection”. What's YOUR “Go To Opioid”??? No really, pick a given patient scenario, as respectively there's many, and what is your “Go To Opioid” when a prescription opioid is warranted??? Pain Guy posed this question on LinkedIn over a year ago, and society failed (as in succumbed to the Opioidphobia culture). So join us in this episode to take a methodical journey distinguishing prescription opioids to once and for (almost) all, be able to have our ducks in a row for opioid selection. Listen in to this Pain Pod episode for an unbiased, in your face, here's how it is approach to explaining opioid selection (beyond the “To Opioid or Not to Opioid” debate). Come one, come all, to the Pain Pod!!! Pain Guy • www.painguy.us
In this episode of The Church Planting Podcast, host Greg Nettle welcomes Mark DeYmaz, founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Little Rock and a leading voice in the multiethnic church movement. Mark pulls back the curtain on how his church is thriving through missional vitality and church economics—generating revenue, leveraging real estate, serving the poor, and reaching their community with tangible expressions of the Gospel. Topics include: The three-legged church model (spiritual, social, financial). How Mosaic transformed a Kmart into a 100,000 sq. ft. center of ministry and enterprise. Why your church needs a nonprofit arm to access grants (including $80B in opioid funds available through 2038). The importance of long obedience in the same direction. Real stories of hope—including a homeless community preaching courage back to Mark. Helpful resources: Mosaix Network — conferences, coaching, and content Mark's books on Amazon Midtown Event Center – Mosaic's multi-use space This is a masterclass in leadership, sustainability, and Gospel innovation. A must-listen for every church leader looking to thrive in the 21st century. 01:00 - Mark's upcoming book on the Prayer of St. Francis 02:45 - Overview of Mosaic Church's mission and context 04:00 - Economic challenges of inner-city churches 06:00 - Transforming a former Kmart into a ministry hub 08:00 - “That is the church” — redefining what church looks like 09:00 - How to get started: shifting your mindset 10:00 - The 3-legged church model: spiritual, social, financial 12:00 - Creating a nonprofit to apply for grants 14:00 - Rethinking biblical stewardship 15:30 - Grants, real estate, and income strategies 17:00 - Opioid nexus grant: $80B available through 2038 18:30 - Mosaix Network and national conference 20:00 - Why it's the premier multiethnic church conference 21:00 - What excites Mark most about the future of church 22:00 - Matthew 5:16 and the power of visible good works 23:30 - Why sustainability takes 7–10 years (or more) 24:30 - Faith and tears: a homeless community encourages Mark 26:30 - Final thoughts and encouragement for church planters
Dr. Chad Kollas has spent more than two decades challenging myths and misinformation about opioids in pain care. In this episode, he joins us to break down the FDA's latest opioid label changes, explain why they matter for patients, and share his perspective as a palliative care physician who has been on the frontlines of this debate since the early 2000s.We talk about:The significance of the FDA's new opioid labelThe ethical failures of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in pain patientsHow propaganda has shaped the narrative around opioidsWhat patients and providers need to know moving forwardIf you've ever wondered how we got here and what hope there is for change you won't want to miss this conversation.Dr. Chad Kollas' study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10790545/
The opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency in 2017 — and it's only grown since. Even followers of Christ aren't immune. On the next Equipped, Dr. Holly Geyer from the Mayo Clinic joins guest host Susie Larson. Dr. Geyer has seen first-hand the heartbreak of addiction and offers both medical insight and hope in Christ. If you or someone you love is struggling, this conversation could be a lifeline. Featured resource:Ending the Crisis: Mayo Clinic’s Guide to Opioid Addiction and Safe Opioid Use by Holly L. Geyer, M.D. August thank you gift:The Quiet Time Kickstart by Rachel Jones Equipped with Chris Brooks is made possible through your support. To donate now, click here.
My guest is Dr. Chris McCurdy, PhD, FAAPS, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Florida and a world expert on the pharmacology of kratom and other plant-derived medicinal compounds. We discuss kratom's wide-ranging effects, including its use for boosting energy, enhancing mood, managing pain and as a potential opioid substitute, while also explaining its critical safety concerns and addictive potential, especially for kratom-derived/isolate products. We also discuss plant-based compounds more generally for their potential benefits and risks. Dr. McCurdy offers a balanced perspective on kratom and other plant-based and naturally occurring medicinal compounds, highlighting and contrasting their promise for human health with potential serious risks. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David Protein: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Chris McCurdy 00:02:51 Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa), Origin, Effects, Low vs High Doses 00:07:19 Sponsors: David Protein & Eight Sleep 00:10:07 Kratom, Traditional Use vs Commercial Kratom Products, Absorption 00:17:00 Kratom Products, Serving Size, Kids; Semi-Synthetics; Tool: Understand Kratom Product Labels 00:23:16 Kratom Products & Various Desired Effects; Physical Dependence 00:32:53 Different Kratom Usage Patterns, Opioid Dependence 00:36:59 Alkaloid Compounds, Nitrogen, Nicotine; Animals & Self-Experimentation 00:47:47 Sponsors: AG1 & ROKA 00:51:05 Medicine Development, Disconnection from Nature, Product Concentrations 00:59:00 Alkaloids & Natural Products, Opium Poppy, Coca Leaf, Tool: Kratom Leaf vs Extracts (Kratom-Derived/Kratom Isolates) 01:09:06 Is It Safe for Kids to Consume Kratom Products? 01:12:19 Kratom, Energy, Mood & Pain Management, Dose; Caffeine 01:16:56 Respiratory Depression & Kratom Products 01:20:16 Sponsor: Function 01:22:04 Kratom Leaf vs Derivatives, FDA Regulations, Usage Guidelines 01:26:59 Kratom, Alcohol Consumption, Respiratory Failure? 01:29:09 Kratom Alkaloids, Mood & Stimulant Effects, Multiple Pathways for Pain Relief 01:38:17 Plant Alkaloids & Chemical Defense, Kratom & Antifungal Alkaloids; Geckos 01:44:35 White, Red & Brown Vein Kratom, Leaf Processing; Terpenes 01:51:08 Kratom as an Anti-Depressant?; Discontinuing Kratom Use, Opioid Use 01:58:03 Kratom, Drug Interactions & Seizure, Opioids 02:01:51 Cacao Beans, Chocolate 02:09:34 Coca-Cola, Coca Plant & Cocaine, History of Soft Drinks 02:19:49 Career Journey, Pharmacy, Chemistry & Education, Lobelia 02:28:44 Nicotine; Natural Products & Career Journey, Salvia divinorum, Kratom 02:40:22 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices