#5: The Road to Hell is Paved with Percocet

#5: The Road to Hell is Paved with Percocet

Author: Doctor Podcast Network February 4, 2021 Duration: 49:35

In this episode, Tim and May discuss the single biggest mistake in the history of Medicine. The overprescribing of opioids started with a five sentence letter to the New England Journal of Medicine in 1980. This brief letter was quoted 608 times in Medical literature, espousing the safety of opiate prescribing.

We dive into the history of opiates, opiate prescribing and drug abuse in general. We talk about how a simple misinterpretation of data caused the medical establishment, big pharma and government regulators to get it wrong and kill hundreds of thousands. 

This peer pressure and group think produced three big lies:

1: We could  do it better with opioids “this time’ compared to a hundred years ago

2: Medicalization of opioids makes it “okay”

3: Treating acute and chronic pain has always been a challenge, therefore we have to make a  medical “solution”.

And we also have a good laugh at the past and near present advertisements. From the printed ads used to peddle “mother’s little helper” cough syrup to the newer Oxycontin motto “One to start with and one to stay with”! Pain WILL be your “5th vital sign” after you hear how the opiate journey has unfolded.

Meanwhile, our sponsor, On Time MD by Dr. Phil Boucher is offering 15% off their time management strategies course. Go to doctorpodcastnetwork.com/ontimemd to learn more and use code 2021 at checkout.


Tired of the same old medical talk that feels disconnected from real life? BS Free MD with Drs. May and Tim Hindmarsh offers something different. This is a conversation between two practicing physicians who are also partners, blending their professional expertise with personal experience. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at their kitchen table, where discussions about healthcare, medical history, and philosophy are grounded in the realities of life, family, and the daily grind of being a doctor. You'll hear honest reflections on the system, stories from the front lines that you won't find in textbooks, and a genuine look at how medicine intersects with everything else. The Doctor Podcast Network brings you this unique perspective, where the dialogue is as engaging as it is insightful. It’s a space for anyone curious about the human side of medicine-patients and professionals alike. This podcast doesn’t shy away from complex topics, but it approaches them with a warmth and authenticity that makes even the heaviest subjects feel accessible. Expect candid stories, occasional tangents into culture and society, and the shared wisdom of two people who see the world through both a stethoscope and a shared life. Tune in for a genuinely fresh take.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 443

BS Free MD with Drs. May and Tim Hindmarsh - Medicine, Life, Family, Physician, Doctor, Healthcare, Medical History
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