HIGH PRICE: A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That ... | Carl Hart | Talks at Google

"HIGH PRICE: A Neuroscientist's Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society"
High Price is the harrowing and inspiring memoir of neuroscientist Carl Hart, a man who grew up in one of Miami's toughest neighborhoods and, determined to make a difference as an adult, tirelessly applies his scientific training to help save real lives.
In this provocative and eye-opening memoir, Dr. Carl Hart recalls his journey of self-discovery, how he escaped a life of crime and drugs and avoided becoming one of the crack addicts he now studies. Interweaving past and present, Hart goes beyond the hype as he examines the relationship between drugs and pleasure, choice, and motivation, both in the brain and in society. His findings shed new light on common ideas about race, poverty, and drugs, and explain why current policies are failing.
Dr. Hart is an Associate Professor of Psychology in both the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at Columbia University, and Director of the Residential Studies and Methamphetamine Research Laboratories at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. A major focus of Dr. Hart's research is to understand complex interactions between drugs of abuse and the neurobiology and environmental factors that mediate human behavior and physiology.
He is the author or co-author of dozens of peer-reviewed scientific articles in the area of neuropsychopharmacology, co-author of the textbook, Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, and a member of a NIH review group. Dr. Hart was recently elected to Fellow status by the American Psychological Association (Division 28) for his outstanding contribution to the field of psychology, specifically psychopharmacology and substance abuse.

[@NoWay1969]

I love what Dr. Hart is doing. EVERYONE needs to hear this guy.

[@NoWay1969]

Alex McNair I could give it a try.

[@tuodekab]

We need more people like him...challenging commonly held beliefs with real scientific evidence

[@dr.3arth]

their families and communities. Dr Hart's talk also sheds light on research that shows how the presence of alternative opportunity affects behavior. A great talk that demonstrates the power and necessity of thinking outside of the barrel/box.

[@TheSoki8]

I wish all the nations to start that system.....soooooomany souls will be saved!!!! Thanks for sharing that mate...!!

[@randomoverpopulatedworldid3286]

yeah imagine all the people... who would never have died from pills or injecting drugs if smoking opium was legal and accepted.

[@renatofonte]

I'm from Portugal...and possession of drugs is not a crime anymore. And drug using is decreasing...if you are caught with drugs you have a legal penalty, pay some amount of money. But it's not a crime. You don't go to jail. And it's working...because when people are caught with drugs it's now easier to take them to treatment. And they have less fear of asking the authorities for help...i

[@emilyebellamy]

I'm enthralled with this man...I just found my new favorite neuroscientist! Dr. Hart backed up what I have felt and said since I was a little girl. Even back then, I knew the absolute talk wasn't correct. I actually feel a weight lifted off of me since I can't hurry up and be the scientist I want to be lol. Thank you :^* Everyone deserves a chance and a voice.

[@theBarkingshark]

Freedom, not forced treatment!

[@avedic]

One more comment... About 14% of white Americans use marijuana. About 13% of black Americans use marijuana. Almost equal....in fact, white people use marijuana at a slightly higher rate. BUT....when you look at the stats of those arrested for marijuana possession(NOT dealing) you find that black people are arrested FOUR TIMES as much. Now, I assume you aren't black. I'm not either. But...IF you were, would that not bother you?? Hell, even if you aren't black...shouldn't that bother you...a lot?

[@jamieisler50]

Carl Hart for president!

[@scottnjasonsmom]

One of the most beautiful and evolved men on the planet.

[@jamieisler50]

Totally agree!

[@randomoverpopulatedworldid3286]

Holla!

[@diamaudixaudioltd.299]

a "criminally" underwatched video...

[@arielmunoz6220]

Yes, my dad was a Marine years ago. He took methamphetamine, and now he takes those street drug methamphetamine. The government will deny the fact that they give the military any methamphetamine.

[@gnarmarmilla]

Ruby Ramos do they deny it? It’s public information that they used to give it to pilots. I bet they still do in some cases, and that’s good, they should, it’s a useful drug when used correctly you know?

[@randomoverpopulatedworldid3286]

That's sad. Meth, fortunately is a drug with psycholoigical dependence only. If your dad understands, he knows he can quit whenever he wants. With some help maybe but when I quit meth cold turkey after 3 years, I felt GREAT. Prayers for your father.

[@dr.3arth]

This talk was not about the use/abuse of legal/illegal drugs. It was about the misinformation/myths/propaganda that frame and define the issue of drug use. We have a multi-billion dollar infrastructure built that profits from dysfunctional public policy regarding illegal drugs, which disproportionately affects African American and Latino populations.

[@sandyhowell9633]

Knowledge and understanding and above all truth can only make things better. Thank you for sharing!

[@dr.3arth]

Dr. Hart's talk also reveals research that shows the vast majority of drug users are working/career minded citizens who positively contribute to

[@efortune357]

Great talk! Another great lecture and one of my faves is still "Brain Development and Addiction with Gabor Mate"

[@ImJuanka]

@Mostly Sane 23:00 is in regards to the physical effects of the drugs. As a neuroscientist, I'd like to believe that he would know better than anybody else how these drugs affect the brain at the very least, which is always the first thing stated to be degraded by drug use. In regards to 21:51, there are national surveys on drug use and health(NSDUH) every year and he could have easily pulled that data from the survey, so yes, there is a way that info could be somewhat accurate. In my honest opinion, if your brother chose meth over his marriage, job and children, he wasn't happy with where he was. Just like people can commit suicide due to depression with nobody even considering that anything is even wrong in their lives. Sad story though and it does happen, both the unexpected suicides as well as people choosing drugs over the people that love them.

[@MegaSethian]

He is not saying that some people don't have problems with methamphetamine, he IS saying that 8 or 9 out of 10 people that use the drug DON'T. Some people can use drugs like cocaine or meth or heroin and not suffer from it.

[@Fadezmal]

EXCELLENT

[@deeroks1]

great informative talk. really wish USA would treat their adult responsible citizens as adults and not children.

[@mer7cer7]

Wow, smart guy.

[@RealGreenTea]

Very informative

[@RadiantBella1]

A very different talk, thanks.

[@williewillisuu8174]

Finally a suitable gentleman who might possibly pioneer the American people out of this worthless rage against human beings who are usually already down and out. In reflection there was no war on drugs. There was a ceaseless cycle of persecution against young Americans whose curiosity got their legends cut short. Promoted to justify the triving correctional business. Rreputations were ruin and yet today's civil system wonders what is wrong with people. In my opinion I'll tell you. Every person authorities treated like trash with a number on their wanted to bit back ...and some did...and some still are... And some are yet to come. They elect unholy people to high offices and continue to bash the poor man with taxes minimum wage and drug charges while their very corruptive policies go unchecked and unaccounted for to keep the greedy dollars coming. I've seen too much lying, positional pillforing, obvious sellouts and payoffs. You call him an addict but you cover up violations of the racist. Where is Robin Hood when we need him. Could he be at the gun shop trading in his bow! and arrow for a fully automatic AR15. Sadly America is full of unmerry men and next week one might be in your neighborhood. Unless the progressive research of Dr Carl Hart makes it to the 100 percent resolution list. Think about it

[@wyomiadunham2655]

I agree with this solution.

[@WilliamStade]

🙂 Wonderful speaker, great amount of knowledge within his chosen topics. We should have talked more, pity.

[@NovaCat2015]

Buy his book. It's more detailed and excellent.

[@my7girls]

Are there any drugs that you think are dangerous? For example ICE? Is that ever okay, or always dangerous? This has been very interesting and challenging. Thank you.

[@mrpsyflex4025]

Ice is one of meth's street names. He addresses this numerous times (meth) in many of his talks. There is always risk involved with taking any drug (or any other potentially dangerous behavior) but we need better education as to what those risks are.

[@Manava2012]

kudos to you robot.. you made it!!

[@shadowdragonvx]

I agree greatly. He isn't very aware of money motivations behind the drug war or the drug problem however; even aware of these decriminalization is currently the best option. The drug war was largely started because of the money motive from many big industries in the US & now the drug war has become big money. If the money of the super industry that is drugs can be returned to use in communities, education etc a lot more can be done to solve the problem. It's a problem well intertwined with $

[@NovaCat2015]

Slavery isn't illegal in prisons. So the people who want to keep Black folks as slaves have a vested interest in funneling them to prisons. Decriminalizing drugs needs to happen, alongside a Constitutional amendment outlawing slavery in prisons as well.

[@terrygerych7327]

40 minutes in, mr. hart says this in response to a question: 'drug policy (is made) based on social and cultural factors rather than pharmacological ones.' at this point he might have added political factors as well, and introduced the following memorable quote from former president nixon aide john ehrlichman: en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Ehrlichman

[@yourcamden]

Nearly all addictive drugs are also painkillers. For some it is physical pain for others it is emotional pain. If we want to reduce addiction we need to reduce pain in our society. Many illegal drugs are not addictive. The main problem with addiction is poverty.

[@GT-vs2fm]

@Does itMatter-he is not promoting legalization as he describes in the video

[@chazapollojohnson3325]

There are facts to show he is true!

[@minimaxhall]

well, just to cut to some form of chase here... As in regards of cannabis... particularly in the western world. It is very wrong I think in this day and age as 2015 compared to the last 10 - 20 - 50 years or so that we have reached a point that cannabis users in many western countries can be treated with the following punishments/behavior: 1. Denied potential drivers license even if not associated with driving during drug screening. 2. Have potential careers wrecked and lives ruined. Not because Weed or so got the best of someone, but because, police, fines, prosecution, jail, courts, and social punishment. I could go on... but here is what I am wondering... I mean... To shun people in society... neighbors, family, friends, co workers, countrymen... People who often and even very likely have a job, perhaps even education, contribute to society, and maybe even have no criminal motive or pleasure to "break the law" or do anything to hurt the society... Why criminalize people and mistreat badly for perhaps only smoking some weed or hasj and just kicking back a rare occasion. When if we actually are worried for someone, there must be better ways to make the good people of society remain good law abiding citizens and not criminalize the population based on non violent non threatening crimes. A good leader and a good person would never turn on his or her own. This drug thing is something we need to handle together... At least stop hurting people who deem little or no threat to society... Most people are good people... Sorry for ramble... I have no potato..

[@ClearKnowledge]

Very intelligent guy...I can't wait to read the book!

[@Jessibear8]

There were also hundreds of studies that said cigarettes didn't cause cancer.

[@MrSpeakingFreely]

I actually never used the word "statist". I used the word "statism". I know I'm splitting hairs--but you said my usage was stupid. Small local governments can provide positive services; but I didn't hear that from his talk--I heard "Statism rocks!".

[@Latteam4]

I dont think his studies are talking about the people who are so sick that they cannot function on a daily basis without the drugs....I thought his studies were on people who use drugs and are still able to work and have productive jobs......Just wondering since this is the second video I came across of this Dr. I am defiinitely going to research some more on this very interesting subject...any suggestions anyone who has followed him?

[@Jessibear8]

90% of the problems that are a direct result of drug use arise because drugs are illegal. I know lawyers and high level medical personal who are drug addicts. If they were to be arrested it would cost them their career.

[@RKFCGSBGK]

Blader Jake 1 step further would be to ask if they were "addicts"? If they could perform high levels of work like legal work then it could even be said that their "addictions" would be improving their efforts and work.

[@wisemonkeys4511]

such a great talk. Do people understand why are there places called "drug stores"? It is all organic chemistry and substances, any harm is caused by people. The same goes for guns

[@katyisgone]

Why doesn't he talk about the established causal link between addiction and childhood trauma/mental illness?

[@purplexenno]

because that's not what his book is about.

[@mrpsyflex4025]

Because there is no such link. There's correlation which is different. Same as correlation with poverty. Do these things increase likelihood ? Yes but they do not "cause addiction".

[@chazapollojohnson3325]

he is read his book

[@Manava2012]

If we want society to use drugs. Make them legal. Sell it legally via Pharmacy, with a quantity controlled, age limit Identity tied to social security number and taxation. So, no illegal money involved anywhere in chain. No arresting ppl for possessing it nor crimes in selling chains. Quantity control policy should ensure only a small amount per week so no one can harm themselves..Get the data of this experiment and Further explore improvements in policy..

[@moriah1394]

"Make sure they are not socially isolated" He keeps talking about environmental factors being paramount. The last questioner seemed awfully self absorbed...taxing to have to answer questions he already address. Of course he advocates for resources like the programs etc he had ....HE SAID THAT AT THE BEGINNING. Listen people, listen.

[@ottaaron]

Damn, maybe I should start smoking crack!

[@kokujin]

that hanging dread patch....

[@DuhnFuhr]

47 minutes im thinking, 'My 8 year old is not ready'. Haha crazy image for me lol. Ask me in the 10 years

[@Exsugarbabe1]

I think the only way to go is licencing drugs, because of the fact weed is illegal and it's an incredibly popular hobby in Devon kids under 18 can get it way more easily than booze. Kids smoke weed before school all the time, they'd have way more problems drinking at school.

[@TheSoki8]

Think again.......

[@Katsumi_cute736]

Don lemon Logic!!

[@strongnubianfighter8957]

Sadly, society has accepted this propaganda narrative that if one is raised in a so-called ghetto one will destined to a life of crime, drug addiction, and all the social illness associated with today's wicked society. I have maintained that those in high society has a proclivity and access to drugs, more or less will often be speared by the authority. Let examine the number of gentleman in high places throughout the world accused of child molestation...However, many of them are not investigated and/or rarely send to prison; let's examine priest and so-called men closest to God...many of them, for centuries have been plagued with charges of sexyal- abuses of young boys and young children many of these claims have never, never seen the light of day and are often silence by the so-called investigative controlled media in society. I wonder why?

[@steinarjonsson_]

I don't think it's a good idea to enforce anti-drug rules at home. It creates a reason for the child (or young adult) to hide their habit from their parents. I would rather build a trusting relationship with my child, so if the child is struggling with something, they don't just keep it to themselves and bottle up their suffering because that could trigger substance use which can then further develop into substance abuse.

[@miguelhernandez4794]

Dr. Hart first off let me say that I have been watching all of your lectures on you tube "having just discovered you just a couple weeks ago and I have to say that I have never heard anyone including academically accomplished proffesionals who specialize in this field with a more clear, comprehensive and most importantly honest ideas and conclusions on drugs and drug addiction in our society than you. I agree that the drug is just a compound of an element that has always existed and have been repeatedly been used through history for various reasons, but it is first and foremost IGNORANCE and MISINFORMATION along with politicians and big buisness that has set the conditions to where we find ourselves today. Most people have no idea or interest frankly on how its all constructed with that very intention to manipulate society through ineffective and unjust drug policies and keeping the population as ignorant to actual scietific based facts. I dont have a college degree and I am a long time consumer of various so called "hard drugs" or at least in the past so I have first hand knowledge of drugs. They have always facinated me for a number of reasons that I wont get into now but Im sure are not too different than your reasons. I have no formal medical training and I dont even have a job right now. I am however and unbenaunced to many people a certified genius. Its true especially in the field of pharmacology. I know I can contribute to the reaserch and further understanding by rhe general public of these different drugs and theyre actual realistic effects on humans. How can I put myself in a position where I can contribute and most of all learn more than I already know and possibly even help others understand drugs and our relationship to them? How can I get you to be a mentor to myself??

[@lxLanarchyxl]

its quite literally due to him doing said drugs. theres no other way to understand.

[@Evacer]

I agree with like 95% of what he's saying, but I think that if you offer a heroin addict a $10 dose of heroin or $20 out right they'll just take the $20 and buy more heroin. I also didn't agree with him when he said addicts that would steal money to buy drugs were already robbing people. That's probably not the case. Most people probably developed their kleptomania as a result of their addiction.

[@3yearshardcore1]

And if you offer an addict in withdrawal $10 worth of smack vs other more 'valuable' non-cash options, you will likely get different less pleasing results. Given that you'd be lucky to get 10% of the retail value of stolen goods, addicts have to steal a lot of shit to fund a habit, if theft is their only source of disposable income. The tragedy is the ridiculous price mark up of illicit street drugs over their production cost, due to prohibition. The rich criminals (cartels and law enforcement) get rich, the poor junkies get fucked over in every possible way. Everyone else does nothing.

[@mikemhz]

He did an interview where he said that in the experiment the subjects saved up the money they got during the time they were there and got the lab to write out a check for bills e.t.c.

[@TruthSerum101]

Dr. Carl Hart is a class act.

[@c.okafor8642]

Here from breakfast club...🤷👀

[@meenaglynn6403]

An Aha moment!

[@avedic]

Why not look up the data....instead of making up your own opinions as though substantiated by evidence? It is a fact that the large majority of drug users do NOT abuse the drug. Take alcohol as an example. It is highly toxic, very easy to overdose on, very addictive, and highly lethal...killing more people than all other drugs combined x 100. BUT...the LARGE majority of people do not abuse alcohol. I know several people who use opiates...and lead very productive happy lives. You're just wrong...

[@arielmunoz6220]

Is he saying that methamphetamine does not put holes in the brain?

[@arielmunoz6220]

@Valo B No... I'm not. I just wanted to be sure.

[@LastBref]

The use of the word "statist" is stupid. Some things the government does are good, some things are bad. If schools can tell the truth about drugs, and that leads to a better dialogue concerning drug policy, I think that's something most small government libertarians would be in favor of. And studies show drug rehab centers are more effective AND more cost-effective than incarceration, so why not do that instead?

[@p1b1harper]

Dr. Carl hart neuroscients here..what I learnt during my neurosciencs education is dat everting you know bout drugs be raycis..did I mention im a neurosciencsist..?..ive done the science to prove everything you know dout drugs be rayciss...tankyou

[@AlSuedeGreen]

Congratulations on being a d bag. You do you man, you do you

[@bridgestohusak4269]

Paul Harper What's your point?

[@chaiyaphuekchoksiriwilai9716]

อยากฟังเป็นถาษาไทบต้ิงทพำง

[@danielmelgar8918]

That lady at the end did not get the message. She walked out screaming what about the children. Why did no one tell her to be quiet. God! 3 questions one last comment like the talk about her. Lazy mother!

[@BenRoberts12]

study me study me

[@samacittalife2220]

So are you advocating that all people have cognitive function and full choice when it comes to addiction and substance use - when is the line crossed? What about neurological evidence that suggests that the frontal cortex at some point (different for all) becomes impaired and that choice and the neurological circuits enabling free will and decision-making are interrupted as THE direct result of drug use in approx 20% or 1 in 5 of the population whom you don’t mention here in your talk. Here it would seem you are only focused on the majority and the activism - in the 80% who have used, or have possessed drugs at some point and for whom the consequence of addiction as a whole is NOT either death or suicide or psychosis or other mental disorders that lead to social stigma and isolation and further use? As you said decriminalisation is not new, Portugal has lead the way in that respect since 2001 and it works, and Portugal also endorses that addiction is much much more than simply using drugs. It is not a personality disorder, it has little to do with personality. If that were so, then CBT would work for addicts - CBT can only work for those for whom the neurological circuits have not been impaired. However, your dismissing addiction as a phenomenon which interrupts free will seems to lack empathy and personal experience of addiction and the loss of power that goes along with it. Dismissing or diminishing the loss of choice or personal empowerment that comes about as the direct result of exposure to drugs, substances and the conditional stimuli (or people, place and things) that surround the use and that increase anticipation of the reward - seems facile and far too black and white in critique. Perhaps open up your analysis to include the 80% and the 20%. And acknowledge that there is a fundamental difference in substance abuse and addiction as a whole. And that the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel. The solution for substance abuse cannot be equal to the solution for addiction as a whole. That is far too simplistic.

[@mrpsyflex4025]

Alan Marlatt destroyed the loss of control myth over 30 years ago (in regards to alcohol). Dr Hart tore it apart once again in regards to "hard drugs". The man addresses the brain scan theory on a number of occasions in his other talks. Most "addicts" (90+%) give up on their own without any form of treatment whatsoever. The fact that you quoted an NA slogan is very telling. So ironic that you would call Dr Hart simplistic in his view of drugs and SUD.

[@JohnStraussmusic]

learnt ?

[@MrSpeakingFreely]

All I heard was "Government indoctrination/propaganda centers (schools) good, welfare systems good, military industrial complex good, Statism rocks, blah blah blah." His solutions using government for drug abuse is ridiculous. However, he is right that we should not arrest drug users. No victim, no crime!

[@HBFTimmahh]

The Type of Decriminalization is Technically , "LIMITED" Decriminalization. This is also part of the Myth, Dr Hart has yet to take into consideration I believe.

[@Jessibear8]

Mostlysand

[@dilibau]

So Googlers do drugs

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

plot twist: the addicts took the money over the crack to buy more crack than they were being offered

[@MrCBTman]

Plot twist: That still indicates delayed gratification and reason.

[@michaelmerchant4882]

MrCBTman - exactly, since I learned about this study, I've done friends and they say well they just brought crack with the money, and I think to myself this is the reason the drug laws are the way they our, this guy is so brave and incredibly smart, good for him not just blindly following but questioning "wait a minute this system is broke" through he went even further with scientific study, showing a lot of the so called "science' and known "facts" that the government has told us about drugs and drug addiction, if we had more people like him who wouldn't have the attitude of "Oh no I can't challenge or ask questions about our drug laws or drugs at all they are illegal and bad" my hat off to you Carl

[@DingDongDaddyFromDumas]

Hey it’s me

[@lisawhite6948]

Damn! There's so many druggies commenting on this 😀😀😀

[@bojackson6886]

Cookies are better

[@Sungodv]

I love Dr Hart, but that hair.

[@dozyproductionss]

This dude is a huge drug pusher. Definite spook.

[@Manava2012]

Since when did Google Started Scarping Bottom of a barrel for such talks..

[@treemanzoneskullyajan711]

THIS GUY IS A SMACKHEAD NOW, I AM TOO...I BEEN ABUSED FOR IT..PEOPLE TRIED TO RUIN MY LIFE FOR IT..THEN THEY TELL ME IT NOT THEM ITS THE DRUG THATS RUINING ME..A PILE OF BROWN POWDER IS ABUSING ME..IT CANT TALK ..IT CANT KICK ME OR HATE ME...DONT FIGURE HMMM

[@vardana]

Your grammar is in no position to judge.

[@moriah1394]

arrogance is not one of carl hart's traits...he cares about content and realizes it is ENVIRONMENT that mostly forms us.

[@SuperTruthful]

How do you go from the ghetto to Harvard...you open a book and begin to read. Have some goals/desires and want to have a life. Millions have done it. Give me a freakin break.

[@andrehendrik]

ugh . . . first 5 minutes and already talk of the "hood" . . . yawn

[@MossitaBrenande]

You mad bro!

[@JeoshuaCollins]

He had to get it out of the way before anyone tried to think he was just putting on airs.

[@mikemhz]

So you didn't watch the rest? That's where he came from.

[@JeoshuaCollins]

Exactly. This guy was invited to give a story of himself and how he came to be a neuroscientist. First step of storytelling is that you set the scene. I mean, he could have started in media res, but that would negate the goal of telling his story. The rest of the video was actually pretty good. Nothing earthshaking. This guy isn't going to cure brain cancer, but he does have a good head on his shoulders and will be valuable to the field.

[@packrat76]

24:53 Bill Clinton was a bigger coke head than Bush and Obama put together.

[@brandonawtrey728]

This guy has lost his mind! Who is he convincing? Wow, completely inverted to the truth. Don't do drugs people and don't commit crime and statistically all numbers drop and the world gets better! The end!