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David Nutt

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David Nutt
NameDavid Nutt
Birth date16 April 1951
Birth placeLondon, England
NationalityBritish
FieldsPsychopharmacology, Neuropsychopharmacology
WorkplacesImperial College London, University of Bristol, University of Oxford
Alma materUniversity of Cambridge (BA), University of Oxford (DM, PhD)
Known forResearch on drugs, alcohol, and addiction; drug harm assessments; drug policy advocacy
AwardsFMedSci, FRCPsych

David Nutt. He is a prominent British psychiatrist and neuropsychopharmacologist specializing in the research of drugs, addiction, and anxiety. His work has significantly influenced the understanding of psychoactive substances and their societal impacts. Nutt is best known for his evidence-based critiques of drug policy in the United Kingdom and his development of a rational scale for assessing drug harms.

Early life and education

Born in London, he attended Guildford Grammar School before pursuing higher education. He completed his undergraduate studies in natural sciences at Downing College, Cambridge, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then moved to Oxford for his clinical training, where he qualified in medicine and was awarded a Doctor of Medicine degree. His early research interest in neurotransmitter systems led him to also complete a Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Oxford, focusing on the mechanisms of benzodiazepine action.

Career and research

His academic career began with posts at the University of Oxford and the United States National Institute of Mental Health. He later became the head of the University of Bristol's department of psychiatry before being appointed to the Edmond J. Safra Chair in Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London. At Imperial College London, he leads the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit within the Centre for Psychiatry. His research has extensively covered the pharmacology of alcohol, cannabis, psychedelics, and novel treatments for depression and anxiety disorders. A key contribution was chairing the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, which he founded to provide objective evidence on drug harms.

Views on drug policy

He has been a vocal critic of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, arguing that the classification of substances like cannabis, MDMA, and LSD is not aligned with scientific evidence of their harm. His 2007 paper in The Lancet comparing the harms of illegal drugs and alcohol sparked significant controversy. This escalated in 2009 following a lecture and publication which argued that ecstasy and LSD were less harmful than alcohol, leading to his dismissal as chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs by the Home Secretary Alan Johnson. He continues to advocate for a public health-based approach to drug policy through organizations like Drug Science.

Publications and media

He is the author of numerous scientific papers and several books aimed at both academic and public audiences, including "Drugs Without the Hot Air" and "Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health". He frequently contributes to public debate through articles in The Guardian and The Times, and appearances on programmes such as BBC Radio 4's "Today" and Channel 4 documentaries. He also hosts the popular podcast "The Drug Science Podcast".

Honours and awards

His contributions to science and medicine have been recognized with several prestigious honours. He was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In 2013, he received the John Maddox Prize for standing up for science in public discourse. He has also been awarded honorary fellowships from the British Pharmacological Society and the Royal Society of Biology.

Personal life

He is married and has three children. Outside of his academic work, he is a keen advocate for rationalism and evidence-based policy. He has spoken openly about the personal and professional challenges following his dismissal from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, but remains committed to translating neuropsychopharmacology research into sensible drug laws.

Category:British psychiatrists Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge Category:Alumni of the University of Oxford