The war on drugs has caused a toxic street supply and increased the harms on those who struggle.  Toronto Public Health provides free and anonymous drug testing services through The Works and other harm reduction organizations, which tracks what chemicals and adulterants are ending up in various black-market substances.  I discuss the pathophysiology and impacts on those using the substance that is being adulterated.  Drug dealers add these adulterants to save money and increase potency/addictiveness.  Providing regulated safe drug supply alternatives is the best way to overcome this and help individuals struggling to move towards recovery.

Exploring the neuroscience and anatomy behind substance-use disorders is a powerful way to understand why we use substances and what factors make us susceptible to addiction.  Substance-use or behavioural addictions require: a drug/behaviour that stimulates the Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tagmental Apparatus (motivation-incentive-reward circuits), an organism made susceptible by bio-psycho-social factors and adverse childhood experiences, and stress.  After reading the current literature and working clinically in this field it is easy to understand why substance-use disorders and addictive behaviours can be so difficult to overcome without effective supports.

I go over recent updates in cannabis research regarding lung health and evidence-based harm reduction tips to avoid negative consequences.  Legalization and regulation have reduced many of the perceived harms of cannabis, which has improved our ability to navigate safe/effective use. 

I wrap up by discussing how community crisis intervention teams deter the need for police/paramedics responding to mental health crisis calls.  This includes how we greatly need to increase funding of social services and community resources to increase public safety, decrease the number of individuals struggling with homelessness, and empower our communities to overcome mental health and addiction challenges.

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This podcast is uncensored and covers many topics considered mature or difficult for some individuals. We do not condone any illegal activities, as this is a platform for harm reduction and open dialogue.  The statements and opinions shared on this podcast are not meant to replace advice from a qualified medical professional.