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In a new ten-part series, Tim Hayward takes a mind-altering look at the science, culture, history - and future - of psychedelics.

Radio 4,69 episodes

Episodes

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The Trip
Introducing The Trip
Tim Hayward looks at the science, history - and future - of psychedelics.
30 Jul 2025,3 mins
The Trip
1. Altered States
Tim Hayward looks at the science, culture, history - and future - of psychedelics.
04 Aug 2025,15 mins
The Trip
2. When the drugs take hold
Tim Hayward investigates the anatomy of a trip.
04 Aug 2025,14 mins
The Trip
3. Stranger things
Tim Hayward visits the outer reaches of cutting edge psychedelic research.
04 Aug 2025,15 mins
The Trip
4. Looking for a cure
Tim Hayward investigates why people are travelling abroad seeking a psychedelic cure.
04 Aug 2025,14 mins
The Trip
5. Message in a bottle
Tim Hayward travels into the past to better understand today’s psychedelic research.
04 Aug 2025,15 mins
The Trip
6. Critical periods
Can psychedelics help the brain to learn things anew?
11 Aug 2025,15 mins
The Trip
7. Fascination and taboo
Psychedelic drugs have a chequered history. How did wonder turn to fear?
11 Aug 2025,14 mins
The Trip
8. A tipping point?
Significant barriers exist for research looking at psychedelics. Is that about to change?
11 Aug 2025,14 mins
The Trip
9. Sacred plants for sale
Who stands to profit from the commercialisation of psychedelics?
01 Sep 2025,14 mins
The Trip
10. Unknown unknowns
What more is there to learn about psychedelics? Tim Hayward makes a case for curiosity.
01 Sep 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
Trailer
The inside story behind HS2. Has a high speed dream become an almighty mess?
07 Jul 2025,4 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
1. The Railwayman
HS2's story begins with a blank piece of paper.
14 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
2. Mutually assured exaggeration
HS2 makes its case to ministers, but fault lines rapidly emerge.
15 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
3. That can’t be right
Protest groups begin to organise as the line's route is announced.
16 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
4. Well Done Geoffrey
Costs mount as compromises with protesting locals are struck
17 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
5. Worry About the Detail Later
Dissent grows within HS2 itself.
18 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
6. The Only Friend that Mattered
As HS2 faces fresh threats, a new prime minister steps in.
21 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
7. Gold Plated
HS2's contracts with major firms become a new focus for critics.
22 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
8. Help I’m Under a Digger
HS2 begins building, and environmental protestors make their presence felt
23 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
9. You Can Do One
Rishi Sunak is faced with the decision of what to do about HS2's future.
24 Jul 2025,14 mins
Derailed: The Story of HS2
10. The Bear Trap
Kate asks: What next for HS2?
25 Jul 2025,14 mins
The UK Election
1. How Do You Get the Campaign Right?
The ins and outs of political campaigning.
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
2. How Are Candidates Selected?
Selecting the candidates to stand in an election
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
3. What Difference Does a Manifesto Make?
How do manifestos get written and who are they actually for?
10 Jun 2024,15 mins
The UK Election
4. Why Do People Vote the Way They Do?
What can we tell about how someone will vote from their age, gender and ethnicity?
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
5. How Do You Make Sure Voting Runs Smoothly?
Explaining voter ID, votes for Brits abroad and why we use pencils instead of pens.
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
6. How Important Are Marginal Seats?
The significance of marginal seats, tactical voting and electoral pacts.
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
7. What Can Polling Predict?
What polls can tell us. And what they can’t.
10 Jun 2024,14 mins
The UK Election
8. What’s the Media’s Role in an Election?
Why does the media matter in an election campaign?
10 Jun 2024,13 mins