Isn’t Life Curious? Episodes

Life is a curious thing. Let's explore it together.

Why Does My Weed Smell Like Cheese? and Other Funky Mysteries with Twinkle Paryani of Abstrax Tech

There is no doubt that when it comes to aroma, the Cannabis plant is LOUD. Depending on the variety, a host of smells can be found in Cannabis ranging from the sweet and floral to the funky, gassy, savory, and beyond. Chemist Twinkle Paryani has been trying to understand the chemistry behind the spectrum of aromas found in Cannabis and recently unearthed some interesting findings.

Abstrax Tech: https://abstraxtech.com/

Twinkle’s publication “Nonterpenoid Chemical Diversity of Cannabis Phenotypes Predicts Differentiated Aroma Characteristics“: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.4c03225

Comedian Rodney Norman Explores the Mysteries of the Universe

In this episode of Isn’t Life Curious? we join comedian and social media sensation Rodney Norman to talk about the meaning of life and what exactly he finds so funny about it all. Throughout the conversation we are joined by some of Rodney’s friends including Leonard, the World’s Worst Motivational Speaker, to unpack some of their most profound insights about what it means to be alive.

Get ready to discover all the answers you have ever sought about life and the universe! It’s all packaged up for you in this single hour long conversation – available to you for free! (plus shipping and handling)

You can learn more about Rodney and find tour dates, merch and more at www.rodneynorman.com

“Have a super freakin’ awesome day!”

Stay curious, and take it easy!

9+ Hour Extraction Deep Dive w/ Murphy Murri (CAC Sessions)

Session Time Stamps

2:17 – Extraction Basics, Hydrocarbon Safety (2019)

1:35:18 – Remediation, CRC, Chromatography (2021)

3:17:16 – State of Industry in 2022, Medusa Stones, Gas Quality

5:40:33 – Lecture: Extraction Fundamentals (2021)

7:38:06 – Lecture: “Liquid Diamonds” and Product Terminology (2024)

Turn a long drive or your lab’s downtime into a masterclass in extraction and lab safety with extraction technologist and natural products formulator Murphy Murry in this special 9-hour mega-compilation!

CAC Sessions present compilations of conversations with guests through the years of the CAC podcast. The Murphy Murri Sessions presents 9 hours of conversations and lectures featuring extraction technologist and natural products formulator Murphy Murri. This mega-compilation starts with Murphy’s first appearance on the podcast in 2019 where we discuss extraction basics, hydrocarbon safety, and lab quality. This is followed by several additional podcast appearances where we dive into extract remediation, medusa stones, CRC, chromatography, and more. The Sessions are then capped with two previously unreleased lectures focusing on extraction fundamentals and product terminology.

Steven Novella MD Provides a Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe

​To kick off the new show, I wanted to re-release my conversation with Dr. Steven Novella, most famously known as the producer and host of The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe Podcast and author of The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe book. Dr. Novella is a neurologist and professor at Yale School of Medicine and an advocate of the skepticism movement. In our conversation we talk about the concept of reality vs perception and how to evaluate whether we are in touch with reality or are lost in our own fictions and hallucinations that our brains produce for us so easily. We discuss some of the cognitive biases that we wrestle with every day, common misconceptions about skepticism, the failings of public education in promoting critical thinking skills in kids, the severe consequences that may be in store if humans can’t learn to think better, and much more!

Learn more about The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe at https://www.theskepticsguide.org/

Stay curious!

The CAC Podcast is Now “Isn’t Life Curious?”

The Curious About Cannabis Podcast is now a show on the Isn’t Life Curious? network. Isn’t Life Curious? continues the curious quest of biologist and science educator Jason Wilson, MS as he delves into the complexities and wonders of life on Earth through engaging conversations with a diverse range of guests, including critical thinkers, philosophers, comedians, and everyday people. Each episode offers listeners a chance to explore profound questions about our human experience, making it a perfect listen for those who love to ponder the curious nature of life.

CBD and the CB1 Receptor: A Look at Allosteric Modulation with Rob Laprairie, PhD + Liz Thompson, MS | #102

How does CBD affect the CB1 receptor, really?

Rob Laprairie is a cannabinoid researcher out of the University of Saskatchewan who was involved in the discovery of CBD’s allosteric binding activity on the CB1 receptor – leading to a host of speculative theories about how CBD influences the activity of THC. In this conversation, continuing our Train with Mary Jane series, we sit down with Rob and discuss his work studying the CB1 receptor to better understand how CBD and “minor” cannabinoids from Cannabis affect the body. Rob helps break down common misunderstandings about CBD’s effects, explains how our understanding of chemical receptors is evolving, and what the future of cannabinoid research may look like.

“Allosteric and orthosteric pharmacology of cannabidiol and cannabidiol-dimethylheptyl at the type 1 and type 2 cannabinoid receptors”: https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/bph.14440

Hidden Threats: Exploring Viruses and Viroids with IPM Specialist Matthew Gates | #101

In this episode we sit down with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist Matthew Gates to delve into the often-overlooked world of cannabis viruses and viroids. In this episode, Matthew brings his extensive expertise to the table, shedding light on the insidious pathogens that can silently wreak havoc on cannabis crops.

As the cannabis industry continues to grow and evolve, understanding the hidden threats posed by viruses and viroids becomes paramount. Matthew explains the various types of viruses and viroids that can affect cannabis plants, their symptoms, and the potential economic impact on growers. He also shares insights into the latest research and diagnostic techniques that can help detect these pathogens early, enabling proactive management and prevention.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. Matthew provides practical, actionable advice on how to implement effective IPM strategies to mitigate the risks. From cultural practices to biological controls and cutting-edge technologies, he covers a comprehensive range of tools and methods that can help protect your cannabis crop and ensure its health and productivity.

Whether you’re a seasoned cultivator, a novice grower, or simply interested in the science behind cannabis cultivation, this episode is packed with valuable information that you won’t want to miss. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges posed by cannabis viruses and viroids and learn how to safeguard your plants against these unseen adversaries.

Learn more about Matthew at www.zenthanol.com

Concussions and the Endocannabinoid System with Patrick Neary, PhD and Liz Thompson, PhDc, MSc | #100

Dive into a journey of discovery with our latest episode of the ‘Train With Mary Jane’ mini-series, where we delve deep into the pioneering research funded by the NFL on Cannabis and its potential to revolutionize the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in athletes. This episode welcomes the return of clinical physiologist Liz Thompson and introduces a new, distinguished guest, Dr. Patrick Neary, PhD – a researcher in the realm of kinesiology from the University of Regina, Canada, with a passion for unraveling the mysteries of concussions and TBIs.

Join us as we embark on an exploration of Dr. Neary’s experience in concussion research, unlocking the intricate science behind concussions, the profound long-term effects of TBIs, and the promising intersection of TBI treatment with the endocannabinoid system. Discover the potential of cannabinoids in altering the landscape of TBI therapy and much more!

For those eager to learn more about the ‘Train with Mary Jane’ initiative and the NFL’s foray into cannabis research for athlete care, visit Mary Jane Athletics or Train with Mary Jane. Don’t miss this captivating episode that bridges the worlds of sports, science, and hope through the lens of cannabis research.

BONUS: Will Insurance Companies Ever Cover Cannabis Expenses? with Liz Thompson PhDc, MSc

After our initial episode concluded with Liz Thompson, we decided we had more to talk about so we hit record! Enjoy this bonus conversation where we explore how Canada handles insurance coverage for Cannabis expenses and what the future of health insurance coverage for Cannabis could look like in Canada and the US.

Train with Mary Jane: Inside the NFL’s Quest to Research Cannabinoids for Athletic Injury with Liz Thompson PhDc, MSc | #99

Elizabeth Thompson is a researcher at the University of Saskatchewan currently working on a project that has started to get international attention – the National Football League’s (NFL) million dollar research project to understand how cannabinoids could impact the health and safety of athletes. In this behind-the-scenes conversation we hear Liz’s story about her personal connection to professional sports, her journey to understand molecular mechanisms of the body, links between the endocannabinoid system and sports injury recovery, and how a moment of inspiration snowballed into the clinical trial now titled “Cannabinoids for Pain Management and Neuroprotection From Concussion” (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06204003).

If you are an athlete, athletic trainer or sports healthcare worker, you have an opportunity to contribute to the NFL research project! Visit www.maryjaneathletics.com to complete a survey so that your experience and voice can be represented in this groundbreaking project!

Learn more at:

https://www.maryjaneathletics.com/

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06204003

https://www.nfl.com/playerhealthandsafety/health-and-wellness/pain-management/nfl-awards-1-million-to-study-impact-of-cannabis-and-cbd-on-pain-management

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