The Drug Files

Every drug has a story. Some began as medical breakthroughs, others emerged from clandestine laboratories, and many have transformed medicine, human behavior, and organized crime.

The Drug Files explores the fascinating and often disturbing world of psychoactive substances, from methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl to prescription stimulants, psychedelics, and emerging synthetic drugs.

Each episode investigates the history of a substance, its effects on the brain and body, the psychology of addiction, and the criminal enterprises that surround its illegal production and distribution. Along the way, we separate scientific evidence from popular myths, examine controversial medical applications, and uncover the human consequences of drug use and drug policy.

Combining neuroscience, psychology, pharmacology, history, and criminal investigation, The Drug Files goes beyond sensational headlines to answer the questions most people never think to ask.

From the laboratory to the streets, from the human brain to the global black market, every substance has a history worth investigating.