Drugs Are Actually Good, Says Columbia Professor

[plumbus-nine]

In his new book, neuroscientist Prof Carl Hart argues that addiction isn’t the only way to think about drug use.

(Image removed. Somehow didn't work.)

When was the last time you read a story on heroin that didn’t involve addiction? Or about how meth isn’t really that bad?
In his new book, Drug Use for Grown-Ups, neuroscientist and Columbia University professor Carl Hart argues that addiction isn’t the only way to think about drug use. In fact, he’s very open about his own use of 2-CB, cocaine, heroin and weed, even putting himself through opioid withdrawal to see what it was like.
We gave Hart a call to find out more about the new book, and how the war on drugs perpetuates inequality and racial injustice.

Source (vice.com)
Book as ePub (remove if not allowed; it's freely available on the net) can be read with this

 

[Jabberwocky]

Yes he's really trying to break the stigma. I am in no position to evaluate the science and numbers, but he is one brave and determined mofo that is doing this place(planet Earth) a real service. Plus he walks the talk as he really likes heroin (and amphetamines, but H is his DOC). Brave man. We need more people like him.

 

[Felonious Monk]

It's a good book. Not perfect, but pretty good for people who don't use drugs to understand "us" a little better. After I finished the book I sent him an email at his Columbia email address touching on a few of the issues I had with his book as a fellow heroin user--I haven't heard back yet but I'm still holding out hope.

 

[Bare_head]

Interesting guy.

I think some of the things he says has alot of weight.

 

[acklac7]

Hopefully he has opportunity to read this site somehow.

He’s on here. Rest-Assured.

 

[Jabberwocky]

He’s on here. Rest-Assured.

He's on the MAPS’ Board of Directors from recently. So he is "here".

MAPS Announces Appointment of Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., to the Board of Directors

MAPS is honored to announce the election of Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., to MAPS’ Board of Directors, effective as of October 22, 2021. to MAPS’ Board of Directors, effective as of October 22, 2021. Dr. Carl Hart, the Ziff Professor of Psychology and former Chair of the Department of Psychology at...

maps.org

 

[acklac7]

He's on the MAPS’ Board of Directors from recently. So he is "here".

MAPS Announces Appointment of Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., to the Board of Directors

MAPS is honored to announce the election of Carl L. Hart, Ph.D., to MAPS’ Board of Directors, effective as of October 22, 2021. to MAPS’ Board of Directors, effective as of October 22, 2021. Dr. Carl Hart, the Ziff Professor of Psychology and former Chair of the Department of Psychology at...

maps.org

It's not too terribly difficult to figure out his username.

 

[Skorpio]

I did kind of feel his morphine addiction test was a bit of a charade in Drug Use for Grownups.

He took morphine (30mg xr) daily for a month and concluded the physical withdrawal wasn't that bad. In my opinion that is like drinking 4 drinks a night and saying ethanol withdrawal isn't really as bad as some say.

I do think his larger message is a breath of fresh air, just some of the supporting details feel like they minimize some of the real harms commonly associated with these drugs.

 

[Jabberwocky]

It's not too terribly difficult to figure out his username.

It is for me. I am not good at deciphering usernames so I rather buy his books to support his work. Or donate to BL through maps. I guess that counts also...

 

[Jabberwocky]

I did kind of feel his morphine addiction test was a bit of a charade in Drug Use for Grownups.

He took morphine (30mg xr) daily for a month and concluded the physical withdrawal wasn't that bad. In my opinion that is like drinking 4 drinks a night and saying ethanol withdrawal isn't really as bad as some say.

I do think his larger message is a breath of fresh air, just some of the supporting details feel like they minimize some of the real harms commonly associated with these drugs.

Well, if one would use opioids for fun in a responsible way then one shouldn't push his tolerance too high. But I get what you are saying. I also get him cause he is trying to deflate an overblown "drugs are only bad narrative".

 

[acklac7]

It is for me. I am not good at deciphering usernames so I rather buy his books to support his work. Or donate to BL through maps. I guess that counts also...

Oh, I own copies of both Drug Use For Grown Ups and Drugs, Society and Human Behavior. Also have donated to Bluelight.

 

[Jabberwocky]

You're a great guy @acklac7 And I really mean it. I may disagree with you but i think that you are a force for good in this world. If that means something to you...

 

[acklac7]

You're a great guy @acklac7 And I really mean it. I may disagree with you but i think that you are a force for good in this world. If that means something to you...

Thanks Man. I appreciate the kind words.

I'm not a bad guy. I'm a genuinely decent Human being. Maybe a little crazy from time to time, definitely . But all-in-all? at the end of the day? I'm actually a fairly decent guy.

 

[thegreenhand]

I actually just finished the audiobook today. I came into it already agreeing with the premise that all drugs should be regulated and legally sold, so I didn’t need much convincing.

i did. learn quite a few things still. For example, I didn’t know that methanol was mandated to be added to industrial ethanol during prohibition to discourage consumption. Dr Hart’s comparison to combined acetaminophen-opioid pills was spot on, imo

and i figured Dr Hart checks out bluelight from time to time, but I never knew he had a (supposedly) easy to figure out username…

 

[acklac7]

and i figured Dr Hart checks out bluelight from time to time, but I never knew he had a (supposedly) easy to figure out username…

It’s not necessarily just his username. It’s his username combined with the content of his posts and subtle “hints” he will occasionally give about his past work.

And no, I’m not going to out his username. I think he likes being viewed as one of the random regulars on here, and not some Famous Celebrity / Author / Neuroscientist.

 

[thegreenhand]

It’s not necessarily just his username. It’s his username combined with the content of his posts and subtle “hints” he will occasionally give about his past work.

And no, I’m not going to out his username. I think he likes being viewed as one of the random regulars on here, and not some Famous Celebrity / Author / Neuroscientist.

Oh my intent was certainly not to doxx him. Quite the opposite. I guess I was trying to express surprise that he would allow for his identity to be easily identified.

 

[acklac7]

Oh my intent was certainly not to doxx him. Quite the opposite. I guess I was trying to express surprise that he would allow for his identity to be easily identified.

I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily “easy” to identify his username, but he will occasionally leave hints from time to time in his posts. You have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

 

[thegreenhand]

I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily “easy” to identify his username, but he will occasionally leave hints from time to time in posts. You have to put all the pieces of the puzzle together.

I will say this, if you figure out who he is on here don’t say anything publicly, just shoot him a PM inquiring if in-fact he is Carl Hart. He should respond back

I do love a good puzzle lol…

I’m just glad he can contribute his wealth of knowledge to the forum

 

[acklac7]

I’m just glad he can contribute his wealth of knowledge to the forum

Contribute he does

 

[dragonix]

David Nutt I knew about nice to see another professor sharing I agree criminalizing intoxication isn't helpful but what would really happen if all drugs were legalized?