Cannabis as Medicine

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

Shaping Fire with Shango Los | BTS #66

In this behind-the-scenes conversation I connect with Shango Los. Shango is founder of Shaping Fire and host of the Shaping Fire podcast, currently in its fourth year of production. In addition to the podcast, Shango’s personal YouTube channel features exclusive cannabis how-to videos and expert interviews and has served over a million viewers.

Shango is founder of VIMEA on Vashon Island where he lives, which has evolved into a patient outreach and education organization hosting some of the top cannabis speakers in the world. Shango has been working in brand strategy and marketing for 25 years and since 2013 has been helping cannabis folk bring their products to market.

In this conversation we discuss the palpable changes in the Cannabis market vibe when states began flipping from medical to full legalization, Shango’s journey to discover the therapeutic properties of Cannabis, some of the biggest insights he has gained from his conversations on the Shaping Fire podcast, the results of his recent foray into indoor Cannabis cultivation, why he is excited for the future of autoflower Cannabis, and more!

To learn more about Shaping Fire, visit https://www.shapingfire.com/

Stay curious, and take it easy!

Kevin Spelman PhD on Herbs to Compliment or Counteract Cannabis Effects | BTS #64

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we meet up again with molecular biologist Kevin Spelman, PhD to talk about medicinal herbs that can either compliment or counteract the effects of Cannabis in different ways. Along the way we spin out into all sorts of other topics like discussing “adaptogens”, allostatic vs. homeostatic systems in the body, issues around placebo effects and Cannabis, potential dangers concerning inhaling high concentrations of terpenes, thinking critically about drug-drug interactions with Cannabis, and more!

Learn more about Dr. Spelman’s show The Spelman Report: Phytopharmacology Review at www.thespelmanreport.com

Check out Dr. Spelman’s prior appearance on the show in Curious About Cannabis Behind-the-Scenes Episode #4: https://cacpodcast.com/bts-04-kevin-spelman-phd-on-the-endocannabinoid-system-plant-synergies-and-dietary-supplement-research/

Stay curious, and take it easy!

Codi Peterson PharmD on the Endocannabinoidome and Common Drugs, Preserving Cannabis as Medicine | BTS #63

In this behind-the-scenes episode we are joined with pharmacist Dr. Codi Peterson to talk about how modern insights into the endocannabinoid system and endocannabinoidome are affecting how pharmacists think about modern medicine.

Dr. Codi Peterson is a clinical pediatric pharmacist with diverse experiences across the pharmaceutical landscape. A Duquesne University graduate, Codi was trained in an academic teaching hospital where he learned alongside a team of healthcare professionals. Building upon general pediatric hospital experience, Codi advanced to emergency and critical care pharmacy where he found a passion for improving the pharmaceutical care of complex and dynamic patients.

Leveraging his hospital experience, Codi has had the opportunity to pursue his passion for educating others. As a staff lecturer at Orange County Emergency Medical Training, Codi teaches paramedics and firefighters the knowledge and skills they need to employ safe drug therapy in the prehospital setting. Codi has an innate ability to translate complex pharmacological information into digestible concepts that are applicable in the field. Codi also lectures to respiratory therapists and pharmacy students in the SoCal area, sharing his knowledge at every possible occasion.

Now turning his focus and skills from western medicine to a more functional and holistic therapeutic approach, Codi is enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy where he is obtaining his MS in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics. He is the President of the Medical Cannabis Student Association at UMB, an active member of the International Society of Cannabis Pharmacists, as well as the Association of Cannabinoid Specialists. With his extensive pediatric experience, Codi is poised to bring a new and needed perspective to the cannabis space. While a proponent of individual rights, home grow, and global cannabis reform, Codi also aims to defend the sanctity of medical cannabis. Codi believes cannabis IS medicine, that all patients deserve access to medicine, and that includes access to trained healthcare professionals who are able to manage complex medical patients.

You can learn more about Codi’s work in Cannabis by visiting: http://pharmdapproved.com/

Stay curious, and take it easy!

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!

BTS #60 Linda Klumpers PhD on Rimonabant, CB1 Antagonists, Role of CB2

In this behind-the-scenes episode we are joined once again by Dr. Linda Klumpers, a clinical pharmacologist that has been spending her professional career understanding how cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors work in the body.

We spend this episode discussing the concept of CB1 receptor antagonists and the story of a hopeful drug from the 1990s, Rimonabant, that ended up teaching researchers a painful lesson about cannabinoid receptor pharmacology. We also discuss our limited understanding of CB2 receptors, the future of cannabinoid receptor antagonist drugs, and more!

Want to learn more about cannabinoid pharmacology? Dr. Klumpers and the team at Cannify has teamed up with Curious About Cannabis to produce a series of cannabinoid pharmacology courses and lecture videos available at the Curious About Cannabis Learning Center at www.cannabis-courses.com. Check out our Cannabinoid Pharmacology Basics course today and get 15% off with discount code “cacxcannify”

BTS #58 Robert Brown of Greenway DNA on Saliva Testing for Endocannabinoid System Genes

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we sit down with Robert Brown, the Director of Development for Greenway DNA, a saliva testing company that analyzes DNA for 20 different endocannabinoid system related genes to help people find the optimal cannabinoid products and dosages best suited for their biochemistry.

In this conversation, Robert breaks down their technology to explain how the test kit was developed, exactly what the test kit does, what information users can expect to receive from their tests, how to interpret those test results, the ways in which the test kit may evolve in the future, the limitations of the test results, and more.

To learn more about Greenway DNA, visit: www.greenwaydna.com

Stay curious and take it easy!

Please Note: This episode is not sponsored by Greenway DNA and we are not making an endorsement of the test kit or Greenway DNA. I have not tried the kit yet, and look forward to looking into the technology more as I have time.

BTS #55 Nikki Lawley on Cannabis for Traumatic Brain Injury

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we sit down with Nikki Lawley a nurse that was forced into retirement after a traumatic brain injury sustained after a patient pushed her against a wall while refusing an immunization. Although Nikki had sustained a couple of mild brain injuries in the past, this one changed her life forever.

In this conversation Nikki shares her story and how Cannabis has turned out to be a very effective tool in helping her regain quality of life. Nikki is now a passionate medical Cannabis advocate and works to educate others about how Cannabis and cannabinoids can be used as tools to help limit the devastating long-term effects of brain injury or even possibly prevent long-term damage in the first place.

You can learn more about Nikki and her story at www.nikkiandtheplant.org

Stay curious and take it easy!

BTS #47 Tanja Bagar, PhD on Medical Cannabis in Europe, ECS Fascinations, International Collaboration

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we are joined by Tanja Bagar, PhD, the founder and CEO of the International Institute for Cannabinoids, a multi-national research and education cooperative based out of Slovenia. Tanja holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences and has spent the past several years focused on studying and teaching about cannabinoids throughout Europe. Tanja and I have been collaborating for years as co-authors on conference abstracts, book chapters, etc. Tanja was also one of my early students in the early iterations of my workshop series which I still teach today, so it was great to reconnect on the podcast.

Our conversation explored her experience discovering the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids, how Cannabis regulations vary throughout Europe and the effects that has on research collaboration, why she has become fascinated with the endocannabinoid system, clinical outcomes that ICANNA and their collaborators have seen in patients using cannabinoids, her thoughts about the future of Cannabis research, and much more!

You can learn more about ICANNA by visiting https://www.institut-icanna.com/en/index.html

BTS #45 Elisabeth Mack, RN MBA on Finding Hope Through Holistic Caring

In this behind-the-scenes conversation we sit down with Elisabeth Mack, the founder and CEO of Holistic Caring, a company dedicated to providing clinical Cannabis education to patients and clinicians.

After a bicycle accident in early 2015, Elisabeth Mack found relief with high-dose CBD and targeted THC therapies. She used that year to move away from various prescription drugs that she had taken since 1994 for a previous shoulder surgery. The cannabis pain management process was enlightening for her as she dove into research, attended conferences and networked her way through the cannabis industry.

Realizing that nobody was interpreting anything for true medical cannabis patients, she founded Holistic Caring in May 2016 to serve the educational, supportive and logistical needs of patients and began training other nurses to help.

Learn more about Holistic Caring at www.HolisticCaring.com

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