6 Brave Researchers Busting the Myths Behind Everything We Think We Know About Drugs

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/6-brave-researchers-busting-myths-behind-everything-we-think-we-know-about-drugs



***SNIP

Here are six researchers who are changing the way people think about drugs and addiction:

1. Carl Hart

Carl Hart is a neuroscientist and Columbia University psychology professor who is dismantling drug myths left and right, and combatting the racist war on drugs. In his book, High Price, he describes how he went from dealing drugs in a poor Miami community with high rates of crime and prevalent drug use, to studying addiction at one of the world’s top universities. He argues that drug use is a symptom of a broken society, which targets and criminalizes minority communities disproportionately. Via his personal history, Hart shows that addiction, crime and poverty do not stem from drug use, but vice versa. Drugs are a result of problems more deeply rooted in our society.

2. Raphael Mechoulam

Often referred to as the father or marijuana, Rafael Mechulum’s work to understand the cannabis plant and its various psychoactive and medicinal properties is unmatched. He is an Israeli organic chemist and the first to isolate and identify the compound THC, which is behind the marijuana “high” that so many people enjoy. He has also led invaluable studies looking into various other compounds, or "cannabinoids", that make up the cannabis plant (including their isolation, structure elucidation and synthesis).


3. Rick Doblin

Rick Doblin has poured more than 20 years of his life into clinical research on psychedelic substances and cannabis. He founded the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), which is at the global forefront of government-approved psychedelic research. He initially formed the organization in 1982, in response to the government’s criminalization of MDMA (aka "ecstasy" and "Molly&quot .


4. Sue Sisley

As a psychiatrist and physician focused on internal medicine, Sue Sisley regularly treats first responders and military veterans with PTSD. After years observing and speaking with patients she learned many of them were using marijuana to successfully manage their symptoms. Sisley was excited at the opportunity to conduct the PTSD study, which would look at cannabis’ effect on 12 treatment-resistant combat veterans with PTSD.

[Enthusiast]

1. Kicked and recommended!

Thank you, xchrom.

[Locrian]

2. k&R - bookmarked to read later

[JNelson6563]

3. Fact based drug info! A refreshing change!

Bravo to scientists bringing us the truth!

[Dustlawyer]

4. Not to mention it's excellent results for people with chronic pain like neuropathy, at least

the ones living in states where it is legal. Cannot use it in Texas, must use other drugs like Opana, Vicodine, Oxycontine... Our whole government has been corrupted by Special Interests, otherwise, pot would be used before these other drugs in an attempt to control unrelenting pain.

[daleanime]

5. K&R....

[mountain grammy]

6. K & R for science and the men and women working to improve our lives..

for real, not for profit!

[hifiguy]

7. Kickety rec.

[duhneece]

8. I am so excited to see this

We keep marching toward a better world...well, at least on this front.