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Cat and Mouse: How Toxicologists Chase Ever-Evolving Designer Drugs

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Manage episode 498461035 series 3583158
Content provided by Geraldine M. Dowling. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Geraldine M. Dowling or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

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In this compelling episode, Dr. Kayla Ellefsen—Deputy Chief Toxicologist at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas, United States-offers a rare look into the science of forensic toxicology and its critical role in death investigations. She dismantles Hollywood myths about quick test results and flashy labs, revealing the meticulous process toxicologists follow to identify substances in postmortem samples and determine their role in a person's death.

The conversation takes a deeper turn into one of the most urgent challenges facing toxicologists today: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These synthetic compounds are designed to imitate known illicit drugs while evading laws and standard detection methods. Dr. Ellefsen describes the evolving “cat-and-mouse” game between underground chemists and forensic labs, and how advanced tools like high-resolution mass spectrometry are crucial.

A particularly alarming trend she highlights is the rise of bromazolam, a designer benzodiazepine. Even more concerning is the emergence of “benzodope”—the deadly mix of benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids.

Dr. Ellefsen closes with a strong message: researchers must share data on NPS to build a clearer picture of the threat and support the development of harm reduction tools.

Whether you're curious about forensic science, concerned about public health, or trying to understand today’s shifting drug landscape, this episode delivers critical insight into a field on the front lines of modern substance misuse.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introducing Dr. Kayla Ellefson (00:00:00)

2. Journey Into Forensic Toxicology (00:03:13)

3. Daily Work of a Toxicologist (00:04:41)

4. Reality vs. TV Depictions (00:06:57)

5. NPS Research and Challenges (00:07:47)

6. Current Trends in NPS Cases (00:12:12)

7. Bromazolam and Benzodope Phenomenon (00:15:36)

8. Dangers and Final Thoughts (00:19:02)

13 episodes

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iconShare
 
Manage episode 498461035 series 3583158
Content provided by Geraldine M. Dowling. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Geraldine M. Dowling or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Send us a text

In this compelling episode, Dr. Kayla Ellefsen—Deputy Chief Toxicologist at the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas, United States-offers a rare look into the science of forensic toxicology and its critical role in death investigations. She dismantles Hollywood myths about quick test results and flashy labs, revealing the meticulous process toxicologists follow to identify substances in postmortem samples and determine their role in a person's death.

The conversation takes a deeper turn into one of the most urgent challenges facing toxicologists today: Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS). These synthetic compounds are designed to imitate known illicit drugs while evading laws and standard detection methods. Dr. Ellefsen describes the evolving “cat-and-mouse” game between underground chemists and forensic labs, and how advanced tools like high-resolution mass spectrometry are crucial.

A particularly alarming trend she highlights is the rise of bromazolam, a designer benzodiazepine. Even more concerning is the emergence of “benzodope”—the deadly mix of benzodiazepines and synthetic opioids.

Dr. Ellefsen closes with a strong message: researchers must share data on NPS to build a clearer picture of the threat and support the development of harm reduction tools.

Whether you're curious about forensic science, concerned about public health, or trying to understand today’s shifting drug landscape, this episode delivers critical insight into a field on the front lines of modern substance misuse.

  continue reading

Chapters

1. Introducing Dr. Kayla Ellefson (00:00:00)

2. Journey Into Forensic Toxicology (00:03:13)

3. Daily Work of a Toxicologist (00:04:41)

4. Reality vs. TV Depictions (00:06:57)

5. NPS Research and Challenges (00:07:47)

6. Current Trends in NPS Cases (00:12:12)

7. Bromazolam and Benzodope Phenomenon (00:15:36)

8. Dangers and Final Thoughts (00:19:02)

13 episodes

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