Episode #82 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Josh Bloom and Junk ScienceEpisode #82 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Josh Bloom and Junk Science
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Dr. Josh Bloom is an organic chemist who debunks Junk Science in his work with the American Council on Science. Hear what he has to say about opioids and pain, fentanyl, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and cannabis. Do Dr. Lev and Dr. Bloom agree or disagree on issues of addiction? You judge. Dr. Josh Bloom, ACSH's Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Science, earned his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of Virginia, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Pennsylvania. His career 20+ year first career was drug discovery research at Wyeth. During this time he participated in research in a number of therapeutic areas, including diabetes and obesity, new antibiotics, HIV/AIDS, and hepatitis C. His group discovered the novel antibiotic Tygacil®, which was approved by the FDA for use against resistant bacterial infections in 2005. He is the author of 25 patents, and 35 academic papers, including a chapter on new therapies for hepatitis C in Burger’s Medicinal Chemistry, Drug Discovery, and Development, 7th Edition (Wiley, 2010). Dr. Bloom, who joined the American Council on Science and Health in 2010 as Director of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has published more than 75 op-eds in numerous periodicals, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, New Scientist, The New York Post, National Review Online, The Boston Herald, The Baltimore Sun, The Chicago Tribune, and The New York Daily News. He has also done numerous radio and television shows and podcasts on topics related to drugs, chemicals, and most importantly, the plight of pain patients – the innocent victims of the misguided war on opioid drugs. He is now recognized as an expert in government opioid policy and was the first journalist to write a nationally published opinion piece about the unintended consequences of a governmental crackdown on prescription pain medications (New York Post, 2013). Since that time he has published more than 20 op-eds in regional and national newspapers on different aspects of the crisis. He was also the first writer (2016) to study, dissect and ultimately debunk the manipulated statistics used by the CDC to justify its recommendations for opioid prescribing, which have resulted in Draconian requirements for prescribing pain medications as well as government-mandated, involuntary tapering of patients receiving opioid treatment, both of which have caused great harm and needless suffering to chronic pain patients. His 2016 article, "Six Charts Designed to Confuse You," is considered to be the seminal work on CDC deception and has been adopted by patient advocacy groups. It has been sent to governors, senators, and state legislatures.
1:01:43•18 Jul 2022
Debunking Myths: Dr. Josh Bloom's Take on Opioids and Addiction
“I say this tongue-in-cheek, but if I was able to put a big bucket of Oxycontin or oxycodone percocet pills in the middle of the street in every major city, I think deaths would go down, because as it became harder and harder to get opioids for legitimate reasons- and you're in the emergency room, you're seeing this firsthand- mostly because of a dea crackdown and a general anti-opioids sentiment in the country which is badly misplaced.”
Ever wondered if everything you hear about opioids and addiction is true? Dr. Josh Bloom, an organic chemist with a knack for busting myths, joins Dr. Roneet Lev in this episode of 'High Truths on Drugs and Addiction'. With his extensive background in chemical and pharmaceutical sciences, Dr. Bloom tackles some of the most pressing questions around opioids, fentanyl, methamphetamine, benzodiazepines, and cannabis. Dr.
Bloom doesn’t just skim the surface; he dives deep into the effects of drug prohibition on supply patterns and how genetics can influence drug metabolism. He also shares his thoughts on the effectiveness of Narcan in treating fentanyl and carfentanil overdoses. Firefighters, take note – there’s practical advice here for dealing with various types of fentanyls. But it’s not all science and stats.
The conversation also touches on the controversial link between cannabis use and pediatric cancers, shedding light on the potential risks of what many consider a 'natural' medicine. Dr. Lev and Dr. Bloom don't always see eye to eye, making for a dynamic discussion that encourages listeners to think critically about the information they consume. This episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to understand the complexities of the opioid epidemic and addiction.
Whether you're in the medical field, have a loved one struggling with addiction, or are simply curious about the topic, Dr. Bloom's insights offer a fresh perspective that’s both informative and engaging.
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