Marc Lewis's Blog, page 10

Addiction as habit formation: excerpts from Aeon

Now that we are stepping firmly away from politics, I thought I’d end the season with a couple of excerpts from an article I recently published in Aeon. Please go to the publication website for the full essay and links. Otherwise, I’ll present an edited (shortened) version in two installments. Here’s the first: ………. The […] (Read the rest.)

Good drugs (e.g., psilocybin) = good news (all is not lost)

The news has been so depressing lately, it seems like a good time to post something positive. So here’s a look at some new research suggesting amazing benefits from psychedelics like psilocybin — especially for people who need help overcoming anxiety. The main question is: how do these drugs work and what new directions do […] (Read the rest.)

Now what?

These two-word titles seem to capture how little I feel I have to say at the moment. “Oh shit.” “Now What?” I’m hoping that something more profound will bop me on the head, but I’m not holding my breath. I haven’t written anything in three weeks, which is approximately how long it’s taken me to […] (Read the rest.)

Oh shit

I feel heartbroken and sick this morning, as I’m sure many of you do as well. How could this happen? I had a post ready to put up today or tomorrow…I was going to wait a day or two until the election fever died down. As it is, this fever isn’t going away any time […] (Read the rest.)

Gambling, addiction, and responsibility

Last post I described common denominators between drug addiction and compulsive gambling. Today I want to ask: how do we assign responsibility for promoting products that benefit some while seriously harming others — because they are too attractive? I got back from my trip to Australia about three days ago and I can finally see […] (Read the rest.)

What gambling teaches us about addiction

I didn’t think I’d do another blog post for a few weeks, but I am learning so much about addiction — from gamblers! — I have to share it with you. Gambling really is a problem in Australia, and here’s what it looks like. The night before last I was walking around Melbourne, searching for […] (Read the rest.)

Clashing viewpoints: But change is in the air

I’m off to Australia for two weeks. I’ll be doing talks, public debates, etc, on the subject of gambling as well as substance addiction. Apparently gambling is a more serious public health issue than alcohol or drug addiction in Australia. I’ll also be spending some time on a farm somewhere where they shear sheep and […] (Read the rest.)

When is “controlled drinking” possible?

…by James Morris… The great “controlled drinking” debate has a controversial history dating back to the 1960’s. Since then, politics, addiction ideology, and evidence have often been hard to separate. In the 1970’s the Sobells were vilified for allegedly skewing the results of research showing that some dependent drinkers achieved controlled drinking, but they were […] (Read the rest.)

My ayahuasca trip: Shit happens

This is an intimate, personal account, unlike my other posts. I’ve thought for a long time about whether and how to share it with you. I decided I had to try. Picture yourself in a large, dark circular chamber, sleeping bags and cushions arranged all around the perimeter of the room, with an interesting looking […] (Read the rest.)

New directions in our understanding of addiction: 2. Psychedelics (especially ayahuasca)

Since the discovery of LSD’s mind-blowing properties (in the 1940s-50s) there have been several waves of research, clinical trials, and of course “recreational” tripping with LSD and its close cousins, mescaline and psilocybin (magic mushrooms). The interest and excitement of the scientific community was pretty much squelched in the US by legislation making LSD strictly […] (Read the rest.)