Ben Westhoff

Date: 2019-11-07 | Duration: 1h 59m

Episode Overview

Ben Westhoff dives deep into the complex and often dangerous world of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, tracing its rise from a medical painkiller to a lethal street drug responsible for thousands of deaths. He explains how clandestine chemists continuously modify fentanyl’s molecular structure to evade legal restrictions, creating ever more potent and unpredictable variants. Westhoff highlights the devastating impact of fentanyl-laced drugs, including counterfeit ecstasy and heroin, and shares sobering stories of famous musicians like Mac Miller and Tom Petty who succumbed to overdoses. He also discusses harm reduction strategies such as fentanyl testing strips and the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone, emphasizing the urgent need for public education and policy reform. Beyond opioids, Westhoff explores the broader drug landscape, touching on the rise of synthetic psychedelics manufactured in China and the challenges posed by adulterated street drugs. He reflects on the potential therapeutic benefits of substances like MDMA for PTSD treatment, contrasting these with the destructive nature of opioids. The conversation also touches on drug legalization, addiction treatment innovations, and the social stigma surrounding drug users. Throughout, Westhoff’s insights reveal the tangled intersections of chemistry, policy, and human stories behind the ongoing drug crisis.

About Ben Westhoff

Ben Westhoff is an award-winning investigative journalist renowned for his in-depth reporting on culture, drugs, and poverty. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book "Fentanyl, Inc.: How Rogue Chemists Are Creating the Deadliest Wave of the Opioid Epidemic," which delves into the complexities of the opioid crisis and the underground networks fueling it. Westhoff's compelling insights and fearless approach to investigative journalism make him a prominent voice in understanding the intersection of addiction and societal issues, captivating audiences with his knowledge and storytelling prowess. His work not only sheds light on pressing public health challenges but also inspires conversations about policy and reform.

Key Moments

– Fentanyl Crisis
– Synthetic Opioids
– Drug Adulteration
– Opioid Overdose Reversal
– Psychedelic Therapy
– Drug Legalization
– Drug Policy Reform
– Harm Reduction
– Drug Manufacturing
– Drug Cartels
– Opioid Addiction Treatment
– Drug Testing Strips
– Psychedelic Research
– Drug Supply Chains
– Synthetic Drug Chemistry
– Drug Education
– Drug Enforcement History
– Drug-Related Deaths
– Alternative Addiction Therapies
0:00:00 – Introduction and topic overview
0:00:58 – Discussion on adulterated ecstasy and molly
0:02:06 – Medical use of fentanyl and its patches
0:02:39 – Early fentanyl-related deaths in the 1980s
0:03:54 – Fentanyl analogs and molecular adjustments
0:05:06 – Emergence of rogue chemists in synthetic drugs
0:09:20 – Scarcity of pure heroin in the US
0:11:00 – Fentanyl contamination in street drugs
0:11:36 – Deaths of Tom Petty and Mac Miller linked to fentanyl
0:16:41 – Myths about marijuana being cut with fentanyl
0:20:02 – Visit to Shanghai and drug manufacturing insights
0:22:37 – Fake benzodiazepines and synthetic drugs
0:29:51 – Cycle of banning and creating worse synthetic drugs
0:34:34 – European models of free heroin for addicts
0:36:37 – Advocacy for fentanyl testing strips
0:38:05 – Overview of naloxone as overdose reversal drug
0:40:57 – Discussion of carfentanil potency
0:46:06 – Opinions on addressing the opioid crisis
0:50:58 – DEA's role in drug enforcement history
0:56:36 – Medication-assisted treatment for addiction
0:59:01 – MDMA as a treatment for PTSD
1:01:29 – Psychedelics changing perspectives on drugs
1:11:19 – Real Rick Ross story and drug trade
1:16:08 – Tupac as a political and cultural figure
1:22:05 – Microdosing cannabis and CBD/THC tablets
1:29:50 – Meditation and mental health benefits
1:38:40 – Critique of performative opinions in culture
1:42:10 – Fentanyl death toll and public health crisis
1:53:50 – Doctors cutting off opioid prescriptions
1:55:10 – Fentanyl's availability and impact on users

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 hello Ben thank you for having me my pleasure this is a subject that scares the shit out of Starting point is 00:00:58 turned out it was all adulterated. It wasn't real ecstasy. It wasn't real molly. It was adulterated Starting point is 00:01:44 well it does but for things like, yeah, traditionally, Starting point is 00:02:06 used in hospitals all the time. It's used, you know, there's the fentanyl patch for people with Starting point is 00:02:39 It first started killing people a little bit at the beginning of the 80s. Starting point is 00:03:18 syringes but they tested them afterwards and there's no heroin in their system and so they're like what Starting point is 00:03:54 He's like, we are in trouble now because not only is there fentanyl, you can make a new – if you ban fentanyl, you can adjust the molecule, make another type of fentanyl. Starting point is 00:04:25 You would think that, like, an opiate would, like, make them sleepy, right? Starting point is 00:05:06 all these papers start going online. And so these rogue chemists that I reference in the title of Starting point is 00:05:55 Tylenol-3 is opiates? I think it's codeine, which is a low-level opioid. And I don't know, Starting point is 00:06:13 Did it? Starting point is 00:06:26 I was lying in bed going, this is amazing. Starting point is 00:06:40 And every time I wanted, I could just hit this button and get a little bit more. Starting point is 00:07:30 And his nickname was Water Dog. Starting point is 00:07:46 games for like ten thousand dollars these huge games and all these guys would come from the Starting point is 00:08:17 And then he would go and play. Starting point is 00:08:54 I mean, think about all the amazing artists that it's claimed. Starting point is 00:09:06 I mean, that mugshot that I have out there of Hendrix. Starting point is 00:09:20 But the thing is, you can't even get heroin in most parts of america like pure heroin anymore Starting point is 00:09:59 But ...

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Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1379?

Ben Westhoff was the guest on JRE #1379. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1379?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1379 with Ben Westhoff, topics include Fentanyl Crisis, Synthetic Opioids, Drug Adulteration, and Opioid Overdose Reversal.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1379?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1379 with Ben Westhoff is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.