Pain, addiction & the opioid mystery: The secrets behind what hurts

*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1

What You’ll Learn:

1. What causes pain?
   Acute pain is good (stopping us from harming ourselves). But chronic pain like arthritic pain, can be unpleasant and disabling. What drives pain? Why do we need new drugs for pain? And what progress are we making in developing them?
   2. Opioids, addiction & pain
   When opioid addicts try to go “cold turkey” they suffer from a painful condition. This is a major reason why it’s hard to give up. But what do we really know about opioid-induced pain?
   3. What addictions?
   Many addictions such as alcohol, smoking or even gambling, can be treated with drugs that block opioid receptors. So are opioids important drivers of many or even all addictions? Where could these opioids come from? What’s the latest thinking in this area?

Plus much, much more!

The Speaker

Professor Peter McNaughton's lab group is based at the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at King's College where the group investigates the cellular and molecular basis of sensations. The group's principal interests are in pain, thermal sensation and thermoregulation. Professor McNaughton has initiated two drug development projects, both arising from discoveries in his lab.

He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and previously was Head of the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge. He has published extensively in Nature, Science, Neuron, EMBO Journal, Journal of Neuroscience, and the Journal of Physiology, amongst others.

*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1

The Venue
We have exclusive use of the green room (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub. Further details about the pub can be found here.
Just a short stroll from Kings Cross station, this pub is known for its selection of craft beers and cocktails. You'll also find a highly recommended selection of burgers to choose from and you'll be close to a number of restaurants nearby.
One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.

FAQs – Pub psychology events

Where can I get tickets?
*Important Info* - Tickets can only be bought on our Ticket Tailor page. See further info here: tickettailor.com/events/conn8cting/1809060/r/meetup1

Who attends these events?
This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. We welcome a range of age ranges - most attendees are in their 20s and 30s. The idea is to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare from experts, while meeting likeminded people. Come along if you have an interest in the subject matter and want to network with likeminded people. The event's ideal for anyone with a personal or professional interest working in (or aspires to work in) psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network.

Will you sell tickets on the door?
No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!

I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?
Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, talks begin 30 minutes after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food. Please double check the event agenda on Ticket Tailor (the platform we use to sell tickets) as times vary depending on the event.

Will I be able to socialise?
Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've simply got a personal interest in the topics. Based on feedback, we’ve also added loads of new opportunities for professional networking. This event's ideal for those with a professional interest working (or aspire to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. It's a great way to expand your social and professional network. Many people attend alone and please do reach out if you want to be introduced to anyone or need support. For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups after the expert talk and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards.

Are you on social media?
Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite

You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting