We can read all of the scientific research studies in the world, but ultimately, we must learn to trust our own intuitive teacher when working with cannabis and plant medicines. Meagan Pilawski, a nurse and cannabis ceremony facilitator, shares her journey using cannabis to treat her own autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. In this episode, we d…

Microdosing psychedelics (i.e. taking a fraction of a dose of psilocybin or LSD) is gaining popularity as an alternative medicine for depression, anxiety, and ADHD. What are the benefits? Does it really work? And is it safe in the long term? Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician and educator at Massachusetts General Hospital, shares his ins…

Looking to taper off opiates or other pharmaceutical medications? Or seeking guidance on cannabis dosing? Colleen Higgins, a registered pharmacist and the author of The Cannabis Prescription: How to Use Medical Marijuana to Reduce or Replace Pharmaceutical Medications, is here to help. We talk about effective ways to use cannabis to reduce dependen…

Thirty percent of patients with treatment-resistant depression attempt suicide at least once during their lifetime. Can a psychoactive tea brew from the Amazon help? Dr. Fernanda Palhano-Fontes, a neuroscientist and research engineer in Brazil, reveals the results of a randomized controlled trial examining the impact of Ayahuasca on suicidality. Dr…

The Beatles, Steve Jobs, and Bob Dylan are just a few innovators who credited the hallucinogenic LSD (aka Lysergic acid diethylamide) for their creative breakthroughs. The lab results are catching up. Dr. Isabel Wießner led Brazil’s first double-blind, placebo-controlled study to test the effects of LSD on humans. In this episode, she reveals the e…

Magic mushrooms or Lexapro? What about Magic Mushrooms + Lexapro? As psychedelics gain momentum as a potential treatment option for PTSD and depression, these questions are at the forefront. Dr. Ben Malcom, a clinical psychiatric pharmacist, shares the latest research on potential drug-drug-interactions between common psychiatric medications, such …

Curious about cannabis sexual enhancement oils? Are CBD vaginal suppositories safe? Pam Miles and Dr. Cindy Orser, the visionaries behind Apothercare Advocacy and Research, share what they have learned from testing the safety and efficacy of over 30 intimate care products, some of which contain THC and CBD. We discuss how cannabis suppositories, se…

Oregon became the first state to decriminalize psilocybin in 2020 and many other states are expected to follow suit. Dr. Kevin Boehnke, a Research Investigator in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, shares his research on the therapeutic uses of cannabis for chronic pain and discusses his latest paper, “Applying Lessons …

Step aside, terpenes! Dr. Jordan Zager, a biochemist and the founder of Dewey Scientific, shares some cutting-edge research about other volatile compounds found in cannabis. He explains that lesser-known compounds, such as esters, may be responsible for the fruity flavor and aroma found in certain strains. Dr. Zager also shares what he learned from…

You’re probably already familiar with Delta-9 THC, which is the primary cannabinoid in the cannabis plant known for its psychoactive effects. But what’s going on with Delta-8 THC? In this episode, Dr. Eric Leas, from the University of California San Diego's School of Public Health, discusses the differences between Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC and a loo…

Can cannabis make you more creative? Jordana Wright, a photographer and the author of Cannabis for Creatives, reveals her findings after conducting more than 30 interviews with artists about how they use cannabis in their work. We discuss the limitations of studying creativity in a laboratory setting and why Jordana took an anthropological approach…

Dr. Clancy Cavnar, PsyD, a clinical psychologist and co-editor of the book, The Therapeutic Use of Ayahuasca, discusses the healing benefits of using ayahuasca, especially for treating trauma and addiction. People often report a numinous or spiritual quality to their psychedelic experiences that serve as the foundation for healing and change. These…

Psychedelic-assisted therapy has been clinically proven to treat trauma, but the headlines sometimes gloss over the nuances of this process. Dr. Amanda Khan, a clinical psychologist, shares her experience offering ketamine assisted therapy and post-psychedelic integration sessions. While psychedelics (such as MDMA, ketamine, and ayahuasca) can be p…

It’s no secret that cannabis sold in legal dispensaries is often laced with residual pesticides and insecticides. What kind of danger does this present? Dr. Max Leung, a professor at ASU and an expert on cannabis toxicology, shares the data and discusses the connection between insecticide exposure and seizures. He explains the threats for patients …

The cannabis plant performs some magical alchemy. Chemistry Professor Dr. Donald Land, PhD explains how compounds in cannabis change as molecules bind together and separate at different phases in the supply chain. He shares what cannabinoids you’ll find in a cannabis plant when it’s raw, when it’s heated, and when it’s exposed to air. We also discu…

Welcome to Season 3 of Cannabis Science Today—this is the podcast where we explore cannabis as a plant and how it can be used as medicine. In this season, we are taking a holistic approach to understanding cannabis and psychedelic medicine. We’ll discuss everything from the soil and the pesticides used to cultivate plants, to how these medicines af…

Can cannabis be used as a sleep aid? Dr. Oludare Odumosu, a biochemist and CEO of Zelira Therapeutics, discusses a new cannabinoid-based formula designed to treat insomnia. We discuss how cannabinoids (such as CBN, THC, and CBD) might be able to offer therapeutic relief for the nearly 15% of adults suffering from chronic insomnia. He also discusses…

Dr. Kelan Thomas, PharmD, a psychiatric pharmacist, shares the latest clinical research on psilocybin (the active ingredient in "psychedelic" mushrooms) and other classic hallucinogens. We talk about the chemical profiles of psychedelics, the psychological benefits of these medicines, as well the potential risks and side effects. We also discuss pr…

Dr. Lisa Monteggia, a neuroscientist and Professor of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University, shares her groundbreaking research on the antidepressant effects of ketamine. In this episode, we discuss how ketamine affects the brain—she reveals the neural mechanisms it induces in the brain, how it works differently than other antidepressant medicines …

Dr. Gul Dölen, a neuroscientist and Associate Professor at the Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, discusses MDMA’s potential to reopen the critical period for social reward learning in animal research models. She shares how MDMA affects the brain’s capacity to process new social information and how long this enhanced neuro…

Dr. Jonny Lisano, an exercise physiologist who specializes in the field of cannabis and exercise science, reveals patterns he has observed in his research between cannabis use and exercise performance. We discuss how cannabis use affects (and doesn’t affect) anaerobic fitness, pulmonary health, and the presence of C-Reactive proteins in your blood.…

Nick Jikomes, PhD, neuroscientist and the Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, shares what he has learned analyzing crowd-sourced data from patients/consumers on cannabis strains and products. Dr. Jikomes reveals that there are only a handful of chemical subtypes among high-THC strains and he shares the three primary chemical profiles you mi…

Psychiatrist Dr. Julie Holland, MD, reveals how psychedelic medicines, like cannabis, MDMA, and psilocybin can help us feel more connected to ourselves, our community, and the natural world. We discuss what happens to our brains when we take psychedelics, why we are hardwired for connection, and the difference between the recreational and medical m…

Dr. Peter Grinspoon, MD shares his recovery story after facing an addiction to prescription painkillers. We discuss some of the issues with current addiction therapy and rehabilitation programs and how we can improve the experience of recovery and reduce dependency on opiates by incorporating cannabis into addiction therapy.…

Can cannabis improve your sex life? OB/GYN Dr. Genester Wilson-King reveals research indicating cannabis's potential as a natural aphrodisiac. We also talk about whether cannabis affects fertility, whether cannabis is safe to use during pregnancy, and using cannabis as medicine to treat endometriosis.…

Dr. Hutchinson reveals his emerging research that cannabidiol (CBD) can mitigate side effects of alcohol use disorder and opiate addition. We discuss how CBD could potentially reduce dependency on these substances, improve symptoms of these disorders, and play a larger role in addiction therapy. He also explains whether cannabis causes structural c…

Dr. Anna Schwabe, a cannabis geneticist, reveals why our sense of smell is a very reliable indicator when we’re trying to identify cannabis strains. We discuss cannabis epigenetics, i.e. why genetically identical cannabis plants may produce different levels of THC or CBD, even when they are grown in the same environment. And she gives some expert t…

Does cannabis have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells? In this episode, Professor Hinanit Koltai, a biologist and the Director of Cannabis Research at the Volcani Center in Israel, reveals what cannabis molecules has been most effective at killing and preventing the spread of colon cancer cell lines. We also discuss what cannabinoid or cannabis mole…

How are cannabis workers’ rights connected to the quality of medicine that patients consume? Are dispensaries as socially responsible as their marketing indicates? Anthropologist Dr. Marty Otañez shares his research on cannabis workers’ rights and social responsibility and accountability among dispensaries and cultivation facilities. We talk about …

Dr. Reggie Gaudino, a Geneticist and IP expert, discusses the behind-the-scenes research at Steep Hill testing lab, where he was formerly the Chief Science Officer. “Cannabis will not kill you, but what grows on cannabis will,” he reveals, discussing a study on pathogens found in dispensary cannabis. We also discuss the development of the first can…

Dr. Potter shares his experience learning about psychotropic plants from indigenous shamans in Brazil and Mexico. We discuss the cross-cultural transfer of psychoactive plants (e.g. psychedelic mushrooms and ayahuasca) and how we can learn from indigenous tribes and use plant-based medicines to treat mental illness, like addiction and OCD. Dr. Pott…

Dr. Mark Braunstein, MD shares his experience using medicinal cannabis to treat patients with trauma or mental health disorders, like depression, addiction, and anxiety. He reveals the benefits of using cannabis over pharmaceutical drugs and gives tips on how to incorporate cannabis into your mental wellness routine. We also dive into the latest re…

The old paradigm for medicine has been very black and white. Certain molecules are “good” and “medicinal,” while other molecules are “bad” and “criminal.” We saw this paradigm did not serve us with cannabis. It prevents scientific research and keeps potential medicine away from patients. In this upcoming season, we will continue to talk to scientis…

Suffering from chronic pain? Should you try cannabis? Dr. Paola Cubillos, MD, shares her insight from working with patients using cannabis to alleviate pain. She dispels some myths around THC and discusses this molecule’s effects on the body and brain. Hint: it’s not just the psychoactive sister of CBD. She recommends the best ways to consume canna…

Curious about biotech innovation in cannabis and hemp production? Jon Vaught, CEO of Front Range Biosciences, reveals how applying modern biotech practices to hemp/cannabis cultivation can create stronger, healthier plants and better medicine. We talk about Front Range’s clean stock program (which can prevent pathogens and contaminants from being i…

If you’ve ever suffered from anxiety or stress and want to know how CBD can help, this is the episode for you. Neuroscientist Dr. Monika Fleshner reveals the results of her study testing the effects of cannabidiol on laboratory rats. We talk about how CBD can reduce the negative health consequences of stress and what we can learn from the animal re…

Have you ever tried two cannabis strains with the same name but completely different effects? Or wondered what differentiates an Indica and Sativa? In this episode, Dr. Daniela Vergara, an evolutionary biologist researching Cannabis genomics, reveals how biology and understanding the cannabis genome could be beneficial to breeding efforts and to cr…

How does cannabis affect our cognitive functioning? How soon can we drive safely after consuming? Does cannabis affect men and women differently? Dr. Cinnamon Bidwell, a psychologist and co-founder of the CU change mobile lab, reveals her findings from a number of research studies that she has done in a mobile pharmacology/psychology lab.…

Dr. Catherine Jacobson, a neuroscientist, shares her journey to find quality CBD medicine for her son, Ben, who was born with epilepsy. From processing black market cannabis in her garage to launching an initial access trial for Epidiolex (pharmaceutical-grade CBD), Dr. Jacobson speaks candidly about her efforts to make cannabis medicine accessible…

Can cannabis treat epilepsy? How does it work differently from traditional pharmaceutical drugs? In this episode, we talk to psychologist Dr. Barbara Brett-Green, who recently conducted a study testing the effects of medicinal cannabis on adults with medical refractory epilepsy. Dr. Green reveals how high-CBD oils made from the cannabis plant affec…

What are terpenes and how do they affect us? Dr. Cindy Orser, the Chief Science Officer at Digipath Labs, shares what happens behind the scenes at a cannabis testing lab. We talk about the endocannabinoid system, vaping, terpenes, cannabinoids. and what to consume if you’re looking for the cleanest cannabis products on the market.…