Your discovery point for scientific and medical research on psychedelics. Join Host Emily Fata for conversational interviews with scientists and physicians studying cannabis and psychedelics.
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
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 SSRIS, and psychedelics, like MDMA and psilocybin. We talk about serotonin sickness, risks associated with using isolated DMT, and best practices for using psychedelics safely and consciously.
Dr. Malcom lives up to his name as the “Spirit Pharmacist,” and is a rare person who can explain exactly what is happening to our brain chemistry when we take psychedelics, while simultaneously honoring the profound spiritual shifts that these medicines can give us.
Dr. Malcom’s Website: https://www.spiritpharmacist.com/
Friday Jan 27, 2023
Friday Jan 27, 2023
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, sexual enhancement products, and washes and douches affect the vaginal microbiome. They offer some important warnings about these products and share promising (although not quite proven) research about the potential application of cannabis compounds, like CBD, to be used for various women’s health issues, like pelvic pain, candida, and Bacterial Vaginosis.
Episode Links:
https://apothercare.com/about-us
Study on Gut Microbiota:
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
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 from Cannabis to the Psychedelic Highway.” As we look back on this past decade of cannabis legalization, what can we learn and how can we avoid repeating the same mistakes? We talk about whether the Western medical system is ready for psychedelics and he shares ideas for developing safety-oriented policies, collecting data systematically, and making this medicine accessible.
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts* to win free CBD products from Millie!
*(I say iTunes but I mean Apple Podcasts!) Here is how:
https://agriculturalgenomics.org/podcast/How-to-Leave-a-Review.pdf
Dr. Boehnke’s Article: “Applying Lessons From Cannabis to the Psychedelic Highway”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36219016/
NYT Article: “Taking the Magic out of Magic Mushrooms”:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/opinion/hallucinations-psychedelics-depression.html
Monday Oct 03, 2022
Monday Oct 03, 2022
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 a research project comparing the chemotype data and the gene expression data of nine different commercial cannabis strains. Finally, he talks the latest breeding projects he is working on at Dewey Scientific.
Learn more about Dr. Zager’s work here: https://www.deweyscientific.com/
Want to enter our giveaway and win CBD Products from Millie? Here is how to leave a 5-star review on iTunes.
https://agriculturalgenomics.org/podcast/How-to-Leave-a-Review.pdf
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
Wednesday Aug 17, 2022
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 loophole in the Farm Bill that has led to a growing, unregulated market for Delta-8. We discuss the risks associated with this market and he shares some ideas on revisiting regulations at the federal and state level to protect consumers.
Links:
Interview with Eric Streenstra, the founder of Vote Hemp: https://diagonventures.com/cannabis/hemp-versus-cannabis/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/01/well/mind/delta-8-thc-marijuana.html
Learn more about Dr. Eric Leas:
https://profiles.ucsd.edu/eric.leas
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
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 to better understand the connection between cannabis and creativity. We discuss the neuroscience connecting cannabis and creativity, and she shares what she learned from asking artists about how they use cannabis, from what strains work best for them to what rituals and practices support them using the plant intentionally and consciously.
Buy the book here:
https://rockynook.com/shop/print/cannabis-for-creatives/
https://www.amazon.com/Cannabis-Creatives-Artists-Enhance-Inspiration/dp/1681986957
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
Wednesday Apr 20, 2022
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 spiritual awakenings can’t be tested by the scientific method but are a profound component of the therapeutic experience. Dr. Cavnar shares her knowledge and wisdom on the world of ayahuasca and shamanism through the lens of her experience as a Western clinical psychologist.
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
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 powerful molecules for evoking change, healing trauma is a complex process that requires intention, preparation, and integration. Dr. Khan shares her knowledge from the clinical and research realm and we talk about how to use psychedelics safely and effectively to treat trauma, whether it’s PTSD, moral injury, or the everyday painful experiences that leaves an impact on our psyche.
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
Wednesday Mar 02, 2022
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 with neurological disorders and we discuss how we can develop better pesticide practices and regulations within the cannabis industry to keep patients safe.
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
Tuesday Feb 15, 2022
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 discuss the different medicinal effects that we may experience when we consume the same cannabis through different methods, like inhalation vs. eating.