Science

Drug Cultures

by Unquantifiable Creations

Science

About the show

Skye Hawthorne looks at how different groups through history have used psychoactive drugs and why, including a surprising episode on early Mormons.

At drug cultures, we pull the veil back on one of the most taboo topics, exploring the ways in which cultures throughout history have used psychoactive substances. Join your host Skye Hawthorne on a journey through the strange world of drugs past and present, and how they've been embraced, incorporated, or shunned by societies worldwide.

Latest episodes

E25 - Making the Mainstream More Psychedelic ft. Shelby Hartman

September 20, 2026 · 51 min

DoubleBlind Mag co-founder and journalist Shelby Hartman stops by Drug Cultures to discuss her new book, The Doubleblind Guide to Psychedelics. We talk about DoubleBlind's role as an alternative to mainstream media's psychedelics coverage…
E24 - Opioid Whack-A-Mole Ft. Soren Shade

August 3, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min

Friend of the show Soren Shade returns to discuss the current state of prohibition, as the DEA attempts to criminalize a number of opioid compounds through emergency placement into Schedule I. Specifically we talk about tianeptine, the…
E23 - The High Priestess ft. Susannah Cahalan

June 30, 2026 · 49 min

Susannah Cahalan stops by Drug Cultures to talk about The Acid Queen, her recently published biography of counterculture icon Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Timothy Leary's wife, muse, and accomplice. We talk about why she chose to profile…
E22 - Kratom and Sustainability in Borneo ft. Oshin Diaz

April 22, 2026 · 53 min

A third kratom episode! I sit down with Oshin Diaz from Jaya Kratom to talk about the industry and how it is rapidly changing the economy, and environment, of Borneo. An island traditionally dominated by the logging industry is now the…
E21 - Bring Back Anti-War Psychedelia

April 8, 2026 · 22 min

I unpack Trump's ongoing threats of terrorism against Iran. Is there any future where Trump supporters can remain a part of the psychedelic renaissance without damaging the reputation of these drugs? And can psychedelics be tools not just…
E20 - Kratom, 7-OH, and Corruption ft. Soren Shade

February 18, 2026 · 1 hr 13 min

I discuss my latest piece for High Times breaking down the divide in the kratom world between the leaf kratom and 7-OH industries. I dive into the world of kratom lobbying groups, and explore their connections with scientists and…
E19 - Cocaine and Oil in Venezuela

January 8, 2026 · 27 min

The United States, after months of bombing speedboats alleged to be carrying drugs, has just abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In this episode, I do a deep dive into the reality of Venezuela's relationship with the drug trade…
E18 - Kava and Christianity in the Pacific

October 16, 2025 · 30 min

Kava has become one of the most popular "alcohol alternatives" in many Western countries in recent decades. But for thousands of years, it held an important spiritual and political role in Pacific Island societies, and was viewed as a…