narcotics

11.24.09

Is Pot a Performance Enhancer?

The unfair science behind the M(J) Phelps suspension

By Brett Zarda Posted 02.09.2009 at 11:39 am 23 Comments

We didn’t want to write about it. Seriously, we didn’t. Sure, Michael Phelps has digital technology, the 24-hour news cycle and precision blown glass to blame for his plight but we’re better than that.* But when US Swimming went and suspended Phelps for two months for, ultimately, acting his age, we felt compelled to write something. The 'Science' part of Popular Science restricts us from condemning the insanity of the punishment (note, however, they did nothing following his 2003 DUI).

[ Read Full Story ]

READ MORE ABOUT > drugs, marijuana, michael phelps, narcotics, sports science, the olympics, the score, wada

Of Plants and Powders

Scientists gain new understanding of how plants' self-defending toxins could become humans' substances of choice

By Matt Ransford Posted 04.17.2008 at 8:10 am 5 Comments

Our most popular and addictive drugs come from plant toxins; caffeine, tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, are all derived from what are supposed to be poisons. These toxins were developed by plants to ward off herbivores who would otherwise eat them. So why is it that we not only tolerate them, but have found ourselves in a position of craving them, sometimes desperately? It is a paradox at which researchers are taking a fresh look.

[ Read Full Story ]

READ MORE ABOUT > drugs, Matt Ransford, narcotics, plants, toxins