Science Savvy

Party Smart: Understanding Risks and Staying Safe

Listen Later

In this episode of Science Savvy, we speak with Pablo Otero, who holds a PhD from Imperial College London and has been involved with the organisation Drugs and Me, about harm reduction and the science behind recreational substances. We discuss how these substances affect the body, why and how mixing them can increase your risk, and practical, evidence-based ways to make safer decisions in party settings.

Disclaimer: This episode does not encourage or endorse recreational drug use. In fact, much of the conversation focuses on why avoiding these substances is the safest option. However, because some people may still choose to take them, this episode aims to provide factual, science-based information that may help reduce the risk of harm.

  1. Bibliography (readings I used to prep for this interview; they may not be comprehensive of everything discussed):
  2. Applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand college health administrator perceptions on adopting and implementing opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs among universities nationally. PubMed. 2026 Mar 7.
  3. The mediating role of anxiety and depression symptoms in the relationship between ADHD symptoms and polysubstance use among French university students: the i-share study. PubMed. 2025 Dec 13.
    4. Prevalence of Illicit Drug Detection in 5 US Cities Among Out-of-Treatment People Who Inject Drugs. PubMed. 2026 Feb 5.
  4. The scientific basis of synergy in traditional Chinese medicine: physicochemical, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic perspectives. PubMed. 2026 Jan 8.
    5. Pharmacological and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Cannabidiol in Human Epilepsy: A Review of Metabolism, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, and Interactions with Antiseizure Medications. PubMed. 2025 Nov 30.
  5. Alcohol and drug interactions. PubMed. 2026 Jan 30.
  6. Stereoselective, sex-dependent 5-HT2A receptor modulation of cortical plasticity by MDMA in mice. PubMed. 2026 Feb 2.
  7. Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances: Potential Drug Interactions and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Data. PubMed. 2026 Jan 17.
  8. Differentiation of Therapeutic and Illicit Drug Use via Metabolite Profiling. PubMed. 2025 Nov 17.
  9. Disruption of Dopamine Homeostasis by Psychostimulants. PubMed. 2026 Mar 5.
    10. Psychedelics as a Therapeutic Opportunity or Threat: A Narrative Review. PubMed. 2025 Dec 23.
  10. Predicting drug-drug interactions between ayahuasca alkaloids and SSRIs using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. PubMed. 2026 Feb 18.
  11. Serotonin syndrome: understanding pathophysiological bases and managing a growing clinical challenge. PubMed. 2025 Nov 20.
  12. Serotonin syndrome presenting as severe reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. PubMed. 2026 Feb 13.
  13. Risk of heat-related illnesses and preventive measures at mass gathering rock festivals in the summer of 2023 in Japan. PubMed. 2026 Jan 22.
  14. JSA guideline for management of malignant hyperthermia in 2025. PubMed. 2026 Jan 8.
  15. Wastewater Analyses for Psychoactive Substances at Music Festivals: A Systematic Review. PubMed. 2025 Dec 3.
  16. Exploring the impact of drug decriminalization and legalization policies on mental health outcomes: A scoping review. PubMed. 2025 Oct 15.
  17. Predicting the prognosis of primary and substance-associated psychoses using urine drug screens: A 5-year retrospective longitudinal study using medical records. PubMed. 2026 Feb 4.
  18. Hospital-based care for hallucinogens and risk of mania and bipolar disorder: A population-based cohort study. PubMed. 2025 Dec 2.
  19. Sensory Processing in People Experiencing Homelessness in Spain: A Pilot Study. PubMed. 2025 Dec 18.
  20. Harm reduction and pharmacy practice: a scoping review of services for people who use drugs provided by pharmacy staff. PubMed. 2026 Mar 2.
  21. Clinical Approach to Acute Recreational Drug Intoxication in the Emergency Setting: A Practical Guide Based on Swiss Experience. PubMed. 2025 Nov 29.
    22. ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store
    Science SavvyBy fairleycarmen9