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Synthetic Opioids

Synthetic Opioids

By: Quiet. Please
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About this listen

This six-part podcast series explores the rise of synthetic opioids—from their pharmaceutical origins to their devastating impact on communities across the world. With deep dives into fentanyl’s potency, global trafficking routes, and the growing death toll, each episode sheds light on the crisis gripping public health. Hear stories of survival, the fight for recovery, and the hope for a future beyond addiction. For more thought-provoking and engaging podcasts, visit: https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

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Episodes
  • Origins – From Laboratories to Streets
    Jun 29 2025
    Join Dotty Wellman as she unravels the fascinating yet tragic story of how synthetic opioids transformed from medical miracles to street-level killers. This deep dive explores the 1958 discovery of fentanyl by Belgian chemist Paul Janssen, originally designed as a breakthrough pain medication 50-100 times more potent than morphine. Dotty walks you through the science behind these synthetic compounds, the development of even more powerful variants like carfentanil (designed for sedating elephants!), and how the very properties that made them revolutionary in operating rooms also made them attractive to illicit manufacturers. With her characteristic blend of scientific curiosity and genuine concern, Dotty explains how underground chemists began creating hundreds of fentanyl analogs, how the internet facilitated global distribution of precursor chemicals, and why this crisis is fundamentally different from traditional drug epidemics. She breaks down complex chemistry into kitchen-table conversations while never losing sight of the human cost behind the statistics. This episode sets the foundation for understanding one of the most pressing public health crises of our time, told through the lens of someone who genuinely wants you to grasp both the science and the stakes involved. Ready for more thought-provoking content that makes complex topics accessible? Discover a whole world of engaging podcasts that will expand your understanding at https://www.quietperiodplease.com/ – where curiosity meets clarity in every episode.

    Click here to browse handpicked Amazon finds inspired by this podcast series! https://amzn.to/4iKfAMs
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    22 mins
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