Amber Wise, PhD, hosts this episode. Dr. Wise moderates a discussion between Miyabe Shields, PhD, Julie Kowalski, PhD, Nigam B. Arora, PhD, and Jahan Marcu, PhD. The group shares insights into psychedelics based health care as well as discussing issues related to the cannabis industry such as the common mistake everyone makes when miscalculating total THC. We turn to the peer reviewed literature to examine data on whether or not psychedelics can change your religious beliefs and the latest genetic data about the origin of cannabis. Stay tuned for the game, Psych Out, at the end of the show to see if you can guess the bogus piece of psychedelics science.

Jahan Marcu, PhD and Nigam B. Arora, PhD are joined by Sara Jane Ward, PhD and Jim Mitchell, PhD the Vice President, API Research and Development at Benuvia Manufacturing. The discussions begin with a deep dive into cannabis and psychedelics policy and research developments, highlighting that it feels as though psychedelics are skipping the line, passing cannabinoids, into the regulatory party. For rapid fire science we discuss cutting technology around synthesizing psychedelic compounds and cannabinoids. Learn why you should care about modern chemistry and its approaches to psychedelics and cannabinoid drug manufacturing needs for clinical research.

Jahan Marcu, PhD moderates the discussion with Nigam B Arora, PhD, David Vaillencourt, MSc from the GMP collective with special guest Gene Ray MSc, Lab Manager at Garden Remedies. We discuss new research on stupidity, psychedelic healthcare investments, and how drug testing culture has permeated many levels of society. FOr our research article review, we rapid fire our thoughts about ibogaine and the behavioral economics on the demand and use of cannabis. Stick around for our newest game, “Don’t be a Square.” In the game, Jahan reads a poem and panelists have to guess which drug Alan Ginsburg was experimenting with, when he wrote the poem.

Jahan Marcu, PhD and Nigam B. Arora, PhD host a conversation with Vertosa’s CSO Harold Han, PhD and their Chief Innovation Officer, Austin Stevenson, MSc. In this episode we focus on how cannabis and psychedelics companies keep their businesses moving forward with fundraising, partnerships, and expanding operations. Join us for an extensive discussion on how experts expand cannabis and hemp businesses. We explore the pros and cons of making a quick buck or having ownership in different types of businesses. Followed by an analysis of two scientific papers looking at cannabis and DMT in beverages. Be sure to stick around for our classic game “Name That Drug!”, where panelists have to guess the drug based on clues from a case report.

Today’s discussion features Jahan Marcu, PhD, Nigam B. Arora, PhD, David Vallencourt, MSc., with special guests Kim Napoli, JD, and Marc Ross, JD from the law offices of Vincente Sederberg. We start off by discussing news around the FDA and CBD. Then Marc Ross shares insights into his article “Environmental, Social, & Governance: The Perfect Storm for the Cannabis Industry.” This leads to a social equity discussion that casts a wide net and Kim Napoli offers advice for companies about getting educated and competent about social equity. Our two research articles focus on cannabis oceanic boundlessness and pediatric use of cannabis in oncology. Be sure to check out our game, testing your knowledge about blunt smoking user characteristics from a study supported by NIDA.

Marcu & Arora are joined by Anna Symonds, former professional athlete, and the renowned cannabis chemist Dr. Amber Wise. The group discussion focuses on two main topics for this episode. Each are interwoven throughout, starting with public perceptions of psychedelic research, and the factors that influence those perceptions. The other main topic is the use of cannabis in sports. This episode’s game will test your knowledge about THC-O-Acetate.

A global episode, with Dr. Jahan Marcu in NYC, Dr. Nigam B Arora in the San Francisco, Sarah Russo in Spain, Sara Jane Ward in Philadelphia, and Joseph Mays in Washington DC. The group discusses our modern myths about the ancient use of psychedelics. Followed by discussions about the implications of a former FDA official joining a major psychedelics company, and water use research on cannabis. For the peer reviewed section of the show the group discusses the psilocybin research pipeline and the impact of cannabis use on male sexual function.Today’s game is a classic psychedelic whodunit, called Name that Drug, where we describe a case report and guess which substance is the culprit.

Join us for a great trip centered around regulatory and scientific decision making. The discussions focus on data vs opinion, in our exploration of the latest news and research. Our big story for this episode is about technology that allows researchers to develop psychedelic medicines, and we host two expert guests to speak on the topic. Dr. Jackie von Salm was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal utilizing a technology platform for psychedelic drug development and Dr. Franklin King who serves as Director of Education and Therapist Training at the Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics at Massachusetts General Hospital. To close out the episode we’re joined by Sarah Russo to play the game, “Guess that Herb”!

Get lost in thought as we discuss patents on psychedelics, and IP issues related to drug combinations. But first we dive into the pros and cons of legalizing magic mushrooms in Canada, the psychological risks of meditation, and an uncertain future for smokable CBD products. For our peer reviewed research discussion, we review data regarding “fickle federal policy” and neural correlates of the shamanic state. This episode features Graham Pechenik, JD, a cannabis and psychedelics patent attorney along with regular cast members Jahan Marcu, PhD, Nigam Arora, PhD, and Sara Jane Ward, PhD.

The group is joined by Etienne Fontan and Sabrina Fendrick of Berkeley Patients Group (BPG) where they serve as the Vice President and Chief Public Affairs Officer (and part time miracle worker) respectively. We discuss cannabidiol (CBD) and the liver, Vice’s coverage of the drug PCP, and a commentary article about trends in psychedelics use between women and men. Highlights of the episode include our lively discussion about Delta-8-THC, and a published study exploring physical health and lifetime psychedelic use. Be sure to stick around for the game at the end of the show, and test your cannabis trivia, with “guess which politician was high when they said this”.

We discuss a new research publication on cannabis hyperemesis from Dr. Ethan Russo and Nishi Whiteley, and a review article on serotonin receptors & psychedelics. This episode also offers the opportunity to learn the answers to important questions like, what are the potential risks and benefits of naturalistic mescaline use and what are non-psychedelic psychedelics? We also discuss indigenous populations and maple syrup. The show ends with a new game, Name that Drug! - Dr. Marcu reads a case report about an experimental drug treatment, while guests try to figure out if it was THC, psilocybin, LSD or a CBD extract.

The group welcomes back guests Rod Kight and Jocelyn Sheltraw, international cannabis attorney and Director of Industry Relations at Headset respectively. We examine the recent legalization of cannabis in Mexico from several angles with Rod having recently relocated there to work on the ground and Jocelyn sharing projected first year sales. Other topics include the psychedelics patent race, potential uses for cannabis tax proceeds, an examination of the recent vaporizer shipping ban, and a look at cannabis product labeling regulations state by state. The show rounds out with a new game, “Guess which politician said this”. Tune in and see if you can guess the correct answer! 

The group is joined by Nicole Howell, an attorney, psychonaut, and author in the psychedelics space. Nicole shares her experiences with helping to create new psychedelics legislation and policies with Jahan Marcu, PhD, Nigam B. Arora, PhD, Sara Ward, PhD, and David Vaillencourt, MSc. The discussion ranges from ways to incentivize private companies to invest in research, cannabis dinners in Thailand, research on predicting human responses to psychedelics, and data on the impact of cannabis use on outcomes in trauma patients. Be sure to stick around for a rousing game of “Guess the Psychedelic” hosted by Nigam B. Arora, PhD.

In this episode Amber Wise, PhD, joins the group discussion with Jahan Marcu, PhD, Nigam Arora, PhD, and Sara Jane Ward, PhD. We share our thoughts on federal agencies’ views regarding hemp use in employees and contractors, trends in psychedelics and mental health, and cannabis proficiency testing (aka PT). As well as a story about what it is like to use psychedelic drugs as a participant in a clinical study.  For our peer reviewed research articles we discuss recent data on the stability of mushroom biomass under different storage conditions and cannabis use for creativity in business ventures. Our game this week will test your knowledge about cannabis cultivation. 

Dr. Sara Jane Ward steps up to deliver one of the most unique episodes of HLI yet! Dr. Ward brings us two new and amazing members of the podcast crew, Dr. Deb Kimless and Dr. Del Potter. Dr. Kimless shares her experiences from working as a clinical cannabis researcher in the industry. Dr. Potter shares his views from his work in psychedelics drug R&D, informed by his extensive studies of psychedelics use among indigenous populations. Overall, a fun filled show exploring almost every aspect of the cannabis and psychedelics industries. A special thank you to the episode sponsor and friend of the show - Double Blind Magazine.

David Vaillencourt, MSc, CEO and Founder of the GMP Collective, hosts this episode featuring guest appearances by The Spock of Cannabis aka Darwin Millard, Jason Soroosh, MSPH, RD, Jahan Marcu, PhD, and Nigam B. Arora, PhD. David moderates a great discussion around veterinary medicine and CBD, FDA warning letters, ketamine assisted psychotherapy, exercise and chronic cannabis consumption, and the stability of cannabinoids under thermal degradation. Trichome fans won't want to miss out. This episode ends with a riveting game, which challenges panelists to figure out which two universities were involved in the first sale of cannabis via the internet.

Founder and CEO of Credo Science Dr. Ethan Russo (also former Senior Medical Advisor at GW) shares his insights about the acquisition of GW Pharmaceuticals and discusses his experiences in cannabis drug development.  Dr. Deb Kimless also joins the discussion to explore issues around psychedelics patents and the preservation of psychedelics producing fauna which ties into a book Dr. Russo authored 20 years ago about saving the rainforest (link below). Our scientific articles explore innovative cannabis research models and the safety of psychedelics in immunotherapy. At the end of the episode we put on our Good Manufacturing Practice hats, to play one of our favorite games. 

Can we reimagine capitalism to incentivize companies that support research and sustainability? Are the CBD products out there safe and effective? Are there any differences between synthetic or natural terpenes? The Chief Public Affairs Officer from Berkeley Patients Group, Sebrina Fendrick, joins the group for this discussion. We celebrate Sabrina’s 6 year anniversary at Berkeley Patients Group by digesting new data about cooking with cannabis and treating autoimmune disorders with psychedelics. Finally we introduce the new and awkward game “Guess that Ethical Quandary”, where we discuss the ethics of the cannabis industry hijacking the online content of students that research cannabis.

Founder and CEO of Via Innovations, Monica Vialpando, PhD, joins us for a critical look at the DEA potentially awarding more federal cannabis licenses. We explore the geriatric use of ayahuasca, followed by a look at the psychedelics decolonization movement. And we discuss the pros and cons of yoga and cannabis use. We travel through published scientific articles on meditation and music can influence drug experiences and perhaps, health outcomes. The episode concludes with a fun game, “Guess that Phony Drug Tabloid”.

The group is joined by Tim Schildt of Palo Santo, a thematic venture capital firm focused on the psychedelics industry. Together we explore a wide range of topics; the default mode network, basics of ayahuasca, the curious cases of Jimson weed and imaginary cigarettes, as well as the pivotal role underground psychedelic labs played in laying the foundation for the industry. For Rapid Fire Science, we discuss two peer review articles, one focuses on a review of mescaline and the other on a psychiatric perspective of ayahuasca. The game ends with a rousing round of “Guess the Phoney Drug Tabloid”, you won’t want to miss these headlines!