CBD, Pain and Opioids: Bringing Translational Research to Cannabis with Maria T Rivera-Garcia PhD | BTS 86
By cacpodcast.comIn this behind-the-scenes interview we talk with Dr. Maria T Rivera-Garcia about her research investigating the effects of CBD-rich whole plant extract vapor on pain and opioid reward seeking behavior in female rats in a study titled, “High-CBD Cannabis Vapor Attenuates Opioid Reward and Partially Modulates Nociception in Female Rats”.
While on the surface this may seem like a simple study about how CBD influences opioid use – there is actually a lot more going on here. First of all this study utilized female rodents, which is very uncommon. The vast majority of preclinical rodent research uses male rodents almost exclusively due to reasons we unpack during the episode. This has led to a gross under-representation of sex differences in biomedical research.
Second, Maria and colleagues decided to utilize the vapor of whole plant CBD-rich Cannabis extract rather than using CBD isolate that is often diluted and injected, ultimately leading to results that do not accurately reflect real-world situations.
Together, these two decisions point to a common theme that is woven into this research study – scientists need to focus on doing research that better represents the real world. The results from this study are fascinating, so get your notebook ready and let’s dive in!
Link to the study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772392522000451
About Maria:
Maria Teresa Rivera-Garcia has a major in psychology and a minor in neuroscience from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, where she started defining her academic interests towards the study of neurobiological mechanisms of addiction. After undergrad, Maria did a Master and a PhD in Neuropharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, her research focused on the neurochemical effects of solvent inhalation and its relation with the development of psychosis. Maria moved to the US in 2016 to pursue her postdoctoral training in the Oregon and Health and Science University, studying sex and age differences in dopaminergic function and how this is related to psychiatric illnesses, including addiction. In 2020, Maria joined Legacy Research Institute to complete her second postdoctoral stay under the guidance of Dr. Adie R. Wilson-Poe, where she studied the pharmacological interaction between opioids and cannabinoids in pain-oriented models. Recently, Maria got accredited as Qualified Mental Health Provider and became a member of the Cascadia Health clinicians team, currently providing services within the Child and Family Program.
#CannabisEducation #CBD #CBDOil #WholePlantExtract #WholePlant #FullSpectrum #BroadSpectrum #Hemp #HempExtract #MedicalCannabis #Addiction #MentalHealth #Opioids #CuriousAboutCannabis
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Living Authentically and Casually Baked with Johanna Nuding | BTS 85
Johanna Nuding left everything she knew in her home state of Texas behind to rediscover herself as she lived abroad in a foreign country. Normally equipped with the strong communication skills typical of a marketing professional – for this journey, Jo would have to lose her ability to communicate. After a powerful series of life lessons, Johanna moved from Italy to California to begin a new chapter of life committed to a promise of living authentically. And with that authenticity – came the Casually Baked podcast. In this behind-the-scenes conversation we meet up with Jo to talk about her personal journey with Cannabis and how, upon returning to the United States with a newfound appreciation for the ability to communicate effectively, Johanna set out on a mission to use her skills as a storyteller and media creative to help people navigate the confusing world of Cannabis.
Along with the Casually Baked podcast, Johanna, with the help of a PhD friend, also has a line of Cannabis topicals that are in development and designed to help people with sensitive skin, including eczema, that may have trouble using common Cannabis skincare products on the market.
To learn more about Casually Baked, visit: https://casuallybaked.com/
To learn more about MJ Skin Relief, visit: https://mjskinrelief.com/
Stay curious and take it easy!
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Cannabinoid Science: Past, Present and Future (Southern Oregon University Lecture, 2021)
The history of cannabinoid science tells a fascinating story that many people are really unfamiliar with. In this lecture, which I gave for Southern Oregon University back in October of 2021, I chart some of the basic series of events that led to the discovery of CBD, THC, cannabinoid receptors, the endocannabinoid system, and the endocannabinoidome.
The video associated with this lecture is available on the Curious About Cannabis YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/@curiousaboutcannabis
The 2023 Curious About Cannabis Master Class is coming up! Spend 6 months diving into a Cannabis science crash course with me and over a dozen special guests! Register today at http://www.masterclasscannabis.com
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What’s In a Toke? Exploring the Chemistry of Cannabis Smoke and More with Dr. Riley Kirk | BTS #79
Why does smoking Cannabis deliver unique effects compared to vaping or ingesting Cannabis? Why are social media platforms banning Cannabis educators from talking about the science of Cannabis? We have questions!
In this behind-the-scenes episode I sat down with Dr. Riley Kirk (@cannabichem) from Real Isolates, the company behind the Cannabis smoke extract product called Smokenol, to talk about the chemistry of Cannabis smoke (and lots of other cool natural products science!). In this conversation we discuss some of the unique cannabinoids that show up in Cannabis smoke and what Dr. Kirk has learned during her time studying the transformations of cannabinoids like CBD.
We also discussed her struggle to share Cannabis science education with the world due to the antagonistic nature of social media toward Cannabis content. Dr. Kirk has been shadow banned and de-platformed from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok for discussing basic Cannabis science and cannabinoid pharmacology. We dive into why these issues have real-world adverse effects for anyone curious about Cannabis and what Cannabis educators should know before they rush to their Reels or Stories to talk about Cannabis.
The conversation rounds off with a dive into Dr. Kirk’s love for plants where we talk about her favorite non-Cannabis medicinal plants and the exciting things we can learn when we apply the lens of Cannabis science to other natural products.
Profound Naturals: https://www.profoundnaturals.com/
Smokenol: https://smokenol.com/
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The Science of the Cannabis Plant with Allison Justice PhD | #77
In this behind-the-scenes episode we meet plant scientist Dr. Allison Justice. Dr. Justice is the founder of the vertically integrated hemp company The Hemp Mine, located in South Carolina. She is also the founder of the Cannabis Research Coalition – a research organization formed in partnership with Clemson University that is dedicated to pursuing practical agricultural research on Cannabis to provide answers relevant for farmers, extractors and product manufacturers.
In this conversation we explore Allison’s own research into the Cannabis plant, ranging from studies on light intensity, photosynthetic rates, harvest techniques, drying parameters, curing and more. We also discuss the challenges that Cannabis cultivators in the southeastern United States are facing when trying to utilize plants sourced from places with very different climates like California, Oregon or Colorado.
We cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, so get ready to take notes, buckle up, and let’s learn together!
The Hemp Mine: https://www.thehempmine.com
Cannabis Research Coalition: https://www.cannabisrc.org/
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Delta-8-THC and Other Obscure Cannabinoids | Narcotica #63
Recently I spoke with Troy Farah on the podcast Narcotica all about cannabinoid science, delta-8-THC, issues around vaping and legalization, and more! Thanks to the team at Narcotica for allowing us to share this episode! I hope you enjoy! Stay curious, and take it easy.
About this Episode of Narcotica:
“Nearly half the U.S. population now have access to adult-use cannabis. Marijuana is a medicine, if it’s cultivated or extracted right, and millions of people find relief or pleasure from this fantastic plant. But as legalization accelerates, regulations have struggled to keep up. Most experts and maybe many consumers would agree that cannabis is not well regulated or could use some improvements.
Meanwhile, new cannabinoids like delta-8-THC, THC-O and more are hitting the streets, licit and illicit. This is a rapidly changing environment, which is far beyond THC and CBD, the two most well-known drugs in marijuana. It leaves a lot of questions: Are these ‘new’ cannabinoids safe? What do they do in the body? What about vaping them?
Narcotica co-host Troy Farah speaks with Jason Wilson of Medford Oregon, host of the Curious About Cannabis podcast, and author of the book of the same name, which can be found at CACpodcast.com. Jason is a biologist and science educator that has been studying the biochemistry of the cannabis plant and cannabis-derived products for nearly a decade. Jason has done work with groups like the International Institute for Cannabinoids (ICANNA) and serves as a member on the board of directors for the Oregon Cannabis Education and Resource Center.
Follow Jason on Twitter @AboutCannabis
If you liked this episode, here are others you might enjoy:
Episode 53: A Life of Getting Lit with Tommy Chong
Episode 49: Salvia: Psychedelic Oddity (Plus, Canada’s Emerging Psilocybin Scene)
Episode 25: Banning Kratom Will Escalate the Opioid Overdose Crisis with Walter Prozialeck
Producers: Christopher Moraff, Troy Farah, Zachary Siegel
Co-producer: Garrett Farah
Music: Glass Boy / Done With Fish
Intro voice: Jenny Schaye
Image: Flickr — Willpower Studios // edit: Troy Farah
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Reflecting on the Hemp Industry Past and Present with David Heldreth, Jr. | BTS #65
The Farm Bill is due to be voted on again in 2022, and there are some significant updates that are expected to be included, like redefinitions of the term “THC”, limits on the amount of THC that can be in hemp, and more! Are you prepared for the potential changes that the hemp industry may face in the next couple of years? In this episode Founder of Panacea Plant Sciences and Ziese Farms, David Heldreth Jr., joins me for a candid discussion as we reflect on the past and present of the hemp industry.
Learn more about Panacea Plant Sciences at https://panaceaplantsciences.net/
Learn more about Ziese Farms at https://ziesefarms.com/
Stay curious, and take it easy!
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BTS #62 Ethan Russo MD on a New Understanding of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome
In this behind-the-scenes conversation, we are joined once again by cannabinoid researcher Dr. Ethan Russo. Russo and a team of researchers recently published a research paper entitled, “Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Survey and Genomic Investigation” which announced findings that could help explain the physiology of CHS, provide tools for screening Cannabis users for CHS, and lead to the development of targeted treatments for CHS.
Throughout our conversation Dr. Russo explains what CHS is, how it compares to Cyclical Vomiting Syndrome, common misunderstandings about CHS, the results of his recent research study, and what we might expect from the future of CHS research.
Read the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34227878/
Learn more about CReDO Science: www.credo-science.com
Stay curious!
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BTS #49 David Heldreth Jr. on Cannabis Regulations, The Future of Commercial Cannabinoids, Hunter S Thompson
In this behind-the-scenes conversation we sit down with David Heldreth Jr. of Panacea Plant Sciences and Ziese Farms, based out of Washington, USA. Our conversation covered a lot of ground including the past, present and potential future of Cannabis and cannabinoid regulations, what people often misunderstand about rules regarding cannabinoids and other chemical constituents in foods, supplements, and cosmetics, how hemp companies should be preparing for the future of FDA, USDA, and DEA crackdowns, why regulations may be a thing to be celebrated rather than dismissed, what Hunter S. Thompson might have to say about the Cannabis industry, and much more!
This conversation was a long time coming, as David and I have been following each other’s work and talking via social media for several years. To learn more about David’s work, visit:
http://panaceaplantsciences.net/
Stay curious, and take it easy!
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BTS #48 Janice Bissex RDN on a Dietician’s Path to Discovering Cannabis
In this behind-the-scenes conversation we speak with Janice Bissex, a registered dietary nutritionist and holistic Cannabis practitioner who has dedicated her time lately to helping patients find high-quality and safe cannabinoid products after she discovered the therapeutic potential of Cannabis first-hand. Janice discusses how she wrestled with the stigma around Cannabis on multiple fronts, first as a college student fearful of Cannabis due to a lifetime of Cannabis prohibition propaganda, and then again as an advocate as she struggled to “come out” to her community of nutritionists and healthcare professionals about her own experiences with Cannabis.
Today Janice is the CEO of Jannabis Wellness and is also a professor at John Patrick University focused on teaching students about Cannabis product formulation from a nutritional perspective. Janice also recently authored the book Simple Guide to CBD: Fact, Fiction, and a Path Forward to educate consumers on the potential benefits of CBD and cannabis therapy.
Learn more about her work at https://www.jannabiswellness.com/
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