114: The History of Opium with John Halpern & David Blistein114: The History of Opium with John Halpern & David Blistein
The Addicted Mind Podcast
Opium has been around but what many people don't realize is how much it has shaped society and culture. The United States has spent over $1 trillion on drug enforcement since President Nixon declared a war on drugs. And by any measure, that crisis has become worse. Could we ever imagine a time where humanity is finally free of these substances?Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-addicted-mind-podcast/donations
45:27•21 Jan 2021
Opium's Legacy: A Deep Dive into Its Impact on Society and Culture
“We have to open this up and look at everything, not from these black and white perspectives, but open it up, and from the human perspective, I would say from a compassionate look at our humanity and how suffering is out there all the time, and we're going to look for ways to change suffering, and then that's just part of it, and we can be compassionate to each other in that process.”
Ever wondered how a simple flower could shape entire societies? In this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, host Duane Osterlind chats with John Halpern and David Blistein, the minds behind the book 'Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned Our World'. They unravel the complex history of opium, from its medicinal uses to its role in the ongoing war on drugs.
Halpern and Blistein argue that our current system often punishes those who need help the most, and they advocate for a more compassionate approach to addiction treatment. The conversation also touches on the potential for peptides to offer a safer alternative to opiates for pain management. If you're curious about the history of opium and its far-reaching effects, this episode offers a nuanced perspective that goes beyond the usual black-and-white narratives.
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