WHAT ARE YOU ON | David Hillier
@whatareyou0n.bsky.social
A newsletter about drugs and modern mental health.
❄️ Top shelf content only ❄️
SUBSCRIBE ⬇
https://whatareyouon.substack.com/
❄️ Top shelf content only ❄️
SUBSCRIBE ⬇
https://whatareyouon.substack.com/
🧠 I’ve had some really lovely messages from people about this article on my bad brain, Oasis and the healing potential of nostalgia. Thank you to anyone that’s taken the time to read it and/or reach out. Had a happy cry about it yesterday 🧠
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
the Wheels of your Life have slowly Fallen off
Can nostalgia heal?
substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM
🧠 I’ve had some really lovely messages from people about this article on my bad brain, Oasis and the healing potential of nostalgia. Thank you to anyone that’s taken the time to read it and/or reach out. Had a happy cry about it yesterday 🧠
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I wrote about the science of nostalgia and how an Oasis song helped me survive 2025.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-wheels...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-wheels...
the Wheels of your Life have slowly Fallen off
Can nostalgia heal?
whatareyouon.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I wrote about the science of nostalgia and how an Oasis song helped me survive 2025.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-wheels...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-wheels...
Reposted by WHAT ARE YOU ON | David Hillier
I spent two days in America’s most notorious open drug scene, hearing how the new tranq, medetomidine, has the most fast-acting and dangerous withdrawal symptoms of all drugs. And why its prevalence is the result of the drug war. For @dispatchmedia.bsky.social
dispatch-media.com/the-real-peo...
dispatch-media.com/the-real-peo...
The real people of America's 'Zombieland'
Medetomidine has arrived in Kensington • The most powerful drug yet • 'You go straight to sleep'
dispatch-media.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I spent two days in America’s most notorious open drug scene, hearing how the new tranq, medetomidine, has the most fast-acting and dangerous withdrawal symptoms of all drugs. And why its prevalence is the result of the drug war. For @dispatchmedia.bsky.social
dispatch-media.com/the-real-peo...
dispatch-media.com/the-real-peo...
Reposted by WHAT ARE YOU ON | David Hillier
If you care about pubs, reducing alcohol harm, or the Autumn Budget debate, this is a must-read.
A clear, accessible chat with Prof Colin Angus about pub closures, supermarket affordability, duty freezes, cider exceptionalism, and the case for MUP.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
A clear, accessible chat with Prof Colin Angus about pub closures, supermarket affordability, duty freezes, cider exceptionalism, and the case for MUP.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
Britain bleeds cheap Booze
As the Budget looms, here's the true cost of our drinking habit
whatareyouon.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM
If you care about pubs, reducing alcohol harm, or the Autumn Budget debate, this is a must-read.
A clear, accessible chat with Prof Colin Angus about pub closures, supermarket affordability, duty freezes, cider exceptionalism, and the case for MUP.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
A clear, accessible chat with Prof Colin Angus about pub closures, supermarket affordability, duty freezes, cider exceptionalism, and the case for MUP.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
“The first time I ate mushrooms and ran, I planned on running 21 kilometres [a half marathon] and ended up running a full marathon instead – and with ease."
V.interesting on the nascent trend of people using psychedelics to workout, by @ellajglover.bsky.social
www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/artic...
V.interesting on the nascent trend of people using psychedelics to workout, by @ellajglover.bsky.social
www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/artic...
Can psychedelics enhance your workout?
Combining psychedelics with exercise is uncharted territory, but it’s gaining traction among a generation obsessed with flow states and biohacking
www.dazeddigital.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:19 AM
“The first time I ate mushrooms and ran, I planned on running 21 kilometres [a half marathon] and ended up running a full marathon instead – and with ease."
V.interesting on the nascent trend of people using psychedelics to workout, by @ellajglover.bsky.social
www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/artic...
V.interesting on the nascent trend of people using psychedelics to workout, by @ellajglover.bsky.social
www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/artic...
In the run-up to the Budget – and with booze in a weird place (high deaths, sober curiosity, £7 pints, pubs shutting) – I had a long chat with @victimofmaths.bsky.social about the true cost of alcohol: to drinkers, and everyone else.
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
Britain bleeds cheap Booze
As the Budget looms, here's the true cost of our drinking habit
whatareyouon.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
In the run-up to the Budget – and with booze in a weird place (high deaths, sober curiosity, £7 pints, pubs shutting) – I had a long chat with @victimofmaths.bsky.social about the true cost of alcohol: to drinkers, and everyone else.
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
🍺 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/britain-bl...
I am trying to get hold of Alasdair Forsyth, esteemed writer of many academic articles about nightlife in the 90s + 2000s. He has dropped off the radar and I can't get him through his old university (Glasgow Caledonian) and not turned him up on social. Does anyone have a lead? @fmeasham.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I am trying to get hold of Alasdair Forsyth, esteemed writer of many academic articles about nightlife in the 90s + 2000s. He has dropped off the radar and I can't get him through his old university (Glasgow Caledonian) and not turned him up on social. Does anyone have a lead? @fmeasham.bsky.social
Big ❤️ to Tom for speaking so frankly (and on the record) about his gear days for this.
Really loved this article (that I’m featured in) from @whatareyou0n.bsky.social on british men’s obsession with cocaine
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/why-blokes...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/why-blokes...
why Blokes love C*ke
Inside the ego and excess of Britain’s favourite stimulant
whatareyouon.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Big ❤️ to Tom for speaking so frankly (and on the record) about his gear days for this.
We took a quick look at the world of rectally administered magic mushrooms and asked: that can’t be A Thing,…can it?
(Spoiler: yes)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
(Spoiler: yes)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
is Boofing magic mushrooms Real?
"Azz-Tek"
substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM
We took a quick look at the world of rectally administered magic mushrooms and asked: that can’t be A Thing,…can it?
(Spoiler: yes)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
(Spoiler: yes)
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The price-per-kilo of ketamine in online UK-based markets dropped 75% in just over 2 years. Why is it so cheap?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/treated-li...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/treated-li...
'Treated like table Salt': why Ketamine’s so Cheap
Once a boutique buzz, ket’s now in the bargain bucket - how did this happen?
whatareyouon.substack.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:49 AM
The price-per-kilo of ketamine in online UK-based markets dropped 75% in just over 2 years. Why is it so cheap?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/treated-li...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/treated-li...
I rounded up drug news of the last month for the first edition of THE BUMP. Includes the NYT Amy Griffin story, a barbershop banger from @matthabusby.bsky.social and @maxdaly.bsky.social on the secret of tusi's success.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
October 13, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I rounded up drug news of the last month for the first edition of THE BUMP. Includes the NYT Amy Griffin story, a barbershop banger from @matthabusby.bsky.social and @maxdaly.bsky.social on the secret of tusi's success.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I spoke to DM Trott (author of The Drug Users Bible) about his five favourite drugs – of 182 he's tried, tested and reported on.
Can you guess the ketamine-adjacent research chemical he picked at number 3?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-planet...
Can you guess the ketamine-adjacent research chemical he picked at number 3?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-planet...
the Planet's 5 best Drugs
According to the man that's tried them all
whatareyouon.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I spoke to DM Trott (author of The Drug Users Bible) about his five favourite drugs – of 182 he's tried, tested and reported on.
Can you guess the ketamine-adjacent research chemical he picked at number 3?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-planet...
Can you guess the ketamine-adjacent research chemical he picked at number 3?
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/the-planet...
Happy to be told otherwise and god bless British pubs and clubs, but these longer hours aren't going to stop the 75% of booze being bought in shops, are they?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Pubs to stay open until early hours in push for UK growth
Exclusive: Plans for England and Wales would help the ailing hospitality sector but have attracted criticism from health experts
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Happy to be told otherwise and god bless British pubs and clubs, but these longer hours aren't going to stop the 75% of booze being bought in shops, are they?
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
"The reason pink cocaine is “one of the most significant developments in the drug market in recent years” (according to a recent Spanish government report) is...because it’s pink. A bright, lurid, Barbie Dreamhouse pink that really pops on Instagram. "
🎯🎯🎯
🎯🎯🎯
I wrote a piece about the rise of “pink cocaine”, a drug for the modern age, in Colombia, Spain and now in the UK.
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
unherd.com/2025/10/why-...
October 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
"The reason pink cocaine is “one of the most significant developments in the drug market in recent years” (according to a recent Spanish government report) is...because it’s pink. A bright, lurid, Barbie Dreamhouse pink that really pops on Instagram. "
🎯🎯🎯
🎯🎯🎯
"Within half an hour I felt a cranial throb – like the ghost of a pill, dialled way down."
I profiled – and tested – kanna: the legal botanical buzz that's making waves in the US and has recently launched in the UK.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/keep-kanna...
I profiled – and tested – kanna: the legal botanical buzz that's making waves in the US and has recently launched in the UK.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/keep-kanna...
October 2, 2025 at 8:55 AM
"Within half an hour I felt a cranial throb – like the ghost of a pill, dialled way down."
I profiled – and tested – kanna: the legal botanical buzz that's making waves in the US and has recently launched in the UK.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/keep-kanna...
I profiled – and tested – kanna: the legal botanical buzz that's making waves in the US and has recently launched in the UK.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/keep-kanna...
"Writing out lots of different substances may not appear concise on the death certificate...it's not always clear which drug was most responsible, so the cause of death is often reported as something ambiguous like “multi-drug toxicity” or “polydrug use.”"
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
How our opioid death stats got so Wrong
Researcher Caroline Copeland explains why official figures miss nearly 14,000 opioid deaths
whatareyouon.substack.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:58 PM
"Writing out lots of different substances may not appear concise on the death certificate...it's not always clear which drug was most responsible, so the cause of death is often reported as something ambiguous like “multi-drug toxicity” or “polydrug use.”"
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
Research showed that nearly 14k opioid-related deaths in England & Wales were wrongly attributed — to “multi-drug toxicity” + other ambiguous terms.
I spk with Caroline Copeland, lead researcher, about the nuances of coroners' reporting and funding cuts
👉 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
I spk with Caroline Copeland, lead researcher, about the nuances of coroners' reporting and funding cuts
👉 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
September 21, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Research showed that nearly 14k opioid-related deaths in England & Wales were wrongly attributed — to “multi-drug toxicity” + other ambiguous terms.
I spk with Caroline Copeland, lead researcher, about the nuances of coroners' reporting and funding cuts
👉 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
I spk with Caroline Copeland, lead researcher, about the nuances of coroners' reporting and funding cuts
👉 whatareyouon.substack.com/p/how-the-uk...
At core, ADHD is a dopamine deficit. Which makes evolutionary sense of why those with it can gravitate to drugs, dancing, loud music, and the dopaminergic hunt of the sesh.
It’s a symbiosis with lows but abundant highs, shaping not just people but culture👇
whatareyouon.substack.com/publish/post...
It’s a symbiosis with lows but abundant highs, shaping not just people but culture👇
whatareyouon.substack.com/publish/post...
September 18, 2025 at 12:30 PM
At core, ADHD is a dopamine deficit. Which makes evolutionary sense of why those with it can gravitate to drugs, dancing, loud music, and the dopaminergic hunt of the sesh.
It’s a symbiosis with lows but abundant highs, shaping not just people but culture👇
whatareyouon.substack.com/publish/post...
It’s a symbiosis with lows but abundant highs, shaping not just people but culture👇
whatareyouon.substack.com/publish/post...
Chronotherapy – aka “wake therapy”. Used with 1000s of patients for depression and bipolar.
But what is it, and why is there a lack of research on this extremely tiring treatment?
👉 Read the first drop in The Morning After series. Sunday short hit.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/can-sleep-...
But what is it, and why is there a lack of research on this extremely tiring treatment?
👉 Read the first drop in The Morning After series. Sunday short hit.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/can-sleep-...
can Sleep Deprivation treat Depression?
On Reddit, it’s called sleeptripping. In clinics, it’s chronotherapy. Can staying awake really lift the blues?
whatareyouon.substack.com
September 14, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Chronotherapy – aka “wake therapy”. Used with 1000s of patients for depression and bipolar.
But what is it, and why is there a lack of research on this extremely tiring treatment?
👉 Read the first drop in The Morning After series. Sunday short hit.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/can-sleep-...
But what is it, and why is there a lack of research on this extremely tiring treatment?
👉 Read the first drop in The Morning After series. Sunday short hit.
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/can-sleep-...
From rejection comes reason ❄️
Publishers said no to a book on UK drug culture. So I started this instead.
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post is live now.
👉 Link below to read + subscribe
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/from-rejec...
Publishers said no to a book on UK drug culture. So I started this instead.
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post is live now.
👉 Link below to read + subscribe
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/from-rejec...
September 11, 2025 at 8:18 AM
From rejection comes reason ❄️
Publishers said no to a book on UK drug culture. So I started this instead.
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post is live now.
👉 Link below to read + subscribe
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/from-rejec...
Publishers said no to a book on UK drug culture. So I started this instead.
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post is live now.
👉 Link below to read + subscribe
whatareyouon.substack.com/p/from-rejec...
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post lands tomorrow, 8AM sharp ❄️
Stories about drugs + modern mental health.
Guaranteed delivery. Top-shelf content only.
👉 Subscribe for the full menu: substack.com/@whatareyouon
Stories about drugs + modern mental health.
Guaranteed delivery. Top-shelf content only.
👉 Subscribe for the full menu: substack.com/@whatareyouon
September 10, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The first WHAT ARE YOU ON post lands tomorrow, 8AM sharp ❄️
Stories about drugs + modern mental health.
Guaranteed delivery. Top-shelf content only.
👉 Subscribe for the full menu: substack.com/@whatareyouon
Stories about drugs + modern mental health.
Guaranteed delivery. Top-shelf content only.
👉 Subscribe for the full menu: substack.com/@whatareyouon
Tragic. 67 year old woman killed by a man driving while doing nitrous oxide. I've seen lads doing this round my way. I can excuse most drug trends but this is so dumb and dangerous.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cannock driver inhaled laughing gas before killing woman in crash
Drivers on nitrous oxide are branded a
www.bbc.co.uk
September 5, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Tragic. 67 year old woman killed by a man driving while doing nitrous oxide. I've seen lads doing this round my way. I can excuse most drug trends but this is so dumb and dangerous.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Saw an ounce of ❄️ for £680 on Telegram. Ounce of 🐎 for £160. Anyone can be a social dealer in 2025.
September 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Saw an ounce of ❄️ for £680 on Telegram. Ounce of 🐎 for £160. Anyone can be a social dealer in 2025.
👋 Hello! I’m launching a Substack on Thursday 11 September.
It’s called WHAT ARE YOU ON, telling stories from drug culture and our dopamine-drenched planet.
More soon, but for now I’d love it if you subscribed 👇
👉 substack.com/@whatareyouon ❄️
It’s called WHAT ARE YOU ON, telling stories from drug culture and our dopamine-drenched planet.
More soon, but for now I’d love it if you subscribed 👇
👉 substack.com/@whatareyouon ❄️
August 28, 2025 at 3:39 PM
👋 Hello! I’m launching a Substack on Thursday 11 September.
It’s called WHAT ARE YOU ON, telling stories from drug culture and our dopamine-drenched planet.
More soon, but for now I’d love it if you subscribed 👇
👉 substack.com/@whatareyouon ❄️
It’s called WHAT ARE YOU ON, telling stories from drug culture and our dopamine-drenched planet.
More soon, but for now I’d love it if you subscribed 👇
👉 substack.com/@whatareyouon ❄️