Episode #12 - Dr. Bertha Madras gripping discussion about the Addicted BrainEpisode #12 - Dr. Bertha Madras gripping discussion about the Addicted Brain
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
It can be confusing…. parents tell kids not to use drugs, but we also teach that we should not stigmatize drugs… are sending mixed messages? Listen to the discussion between Dr. Lev and Harvard Professor and former ONDCP Deputy Director Dr. Bertha Madras, expert in the addicted brain. About Dr. Bertha Madras Current position. Professor of Psychobiology, Harvard Medical School (34 years) with office based at McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA; cross-appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Educated at McGill University, Montreal with post-doctoral fellowships, MIT, Cambridge, MA. Translational Research. Addictive and therapeutic drugs: behavioral, molecular responses. Drug discovery: Novel brain probes, candidate therapeutics for neuropsychiatric disorders. Drug Policy Authorship. Author of over 200 scientific manuscripts, articles, book chapters, co-editor of books “The Cell Biology of Addiction”, “Effects of Drug Abuse on the Human Nervous System”, “Imaging of the Human Brain in Health and Disease” Inventions. 19 U.S. and 27 international issued patents, with collaborators Government service and public policy. Numerous NIH committees and other advisory boards White House, 2006-2008: Deputy Director for Demand Reduction in the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), Executive Office of the President, a presidential appointment confirmed unanimously (99-0) by U.S. Senate White House, 2017: Appointed by the President, as one of six members of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis (Governors C. Christie, C. Baker, R. Cooper, Cong. P. Kennedy, AG P. Bondi). At request of Commission Chair Gov. Christie, she shepherded and wrote major portions of the final Commission report World Health Organization: Sole author of a commissioned report, “Update of Cannabis and its Medical Use”; co-author of “The Health and Social Effects of Nonmedical Cannabis Use” U.S. Department of Justice: Sole expert witness for the U.S. Dept. of Justice in a landmark CA Federal Court decision on marijuana re-, or de-scheduling, which sustained DoJ position Vatican Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Narcotics Panel: Co-author and edited final statement National Academy of Medicine: Current member, National Academy of Medicine Collaborative on the Opioid Crisis Educator, Public Service Course: Developed the first course (ABS elective) on addictions at Harvard Medical School Course: Developed first NIDA-sponsored international course on “Cell Biology of Addiction” at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Museum exhibition: Project Director, PI of NIDA-sponsored grant for exhibit, CD, play at Museum of Science, Boston “Changing your Mind: Drugs in the Brain”. Disney Corp. licensed the CD. Presentations: More than 750 public and professional presentations nationally, globally Recognition Research Awards: NIH MERIT award, CPDD Innovator Award, Fishman Award, McLean Mendelson award, The Better World Report cited her brain imaging invention as “one of 25 technology transfer innovations (university to industry) that changed the world” Public Service Awards: NIDA, CADCA, CPDD, Sweden, American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry Founder
59:14•15 Mar 2021
Dr. Bertha Madras on the Science of Addiction and Compassionate Care
“If you go to disney world and you spend a lot of money, you've had a lot of pleasure and there are no consequences. With regard to the Oregon bill, the next thing they did was approve psilocybin for treatment, for which the data are still very early and there's no clear evidence that this kind of treatment is scalable.”
Imagine trying to make sense of the mixed messages we send about drugs: don't use them, but also don't stigmatize them. In this thought-provoking episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction', Dr. Roneet Lev sits down with Dr. Bertha Madras, a Harvard Professor and former ONDCP Deputy Director, to untangle these contradictions and dive deep into the science of addiction. Dr.
Madras brings decades of experience and an impressive resume that includes groundbreaking research in psychobiology and drug policy advisory roles at the highest levels of government. Her conversation with Dr. Lev covers the critical need to view addiction through a medical lens, highlighting how intertwined addiction is with mental health issues. They discuss the harmful effects of stigmatizing drug use and how this stigma can hinder recovery efforts. Dr.
Madras also sheds light on the risks associated with psilocybin treatment and the broader implications of normalizing drug use. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of addiction and the importance of compassionate care. Tune in for a blend of scientific insight and heartfelt discussion that aims to change how we perceive and address addiction.
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