BIOACTIVE

CONTENT WARNING: IF YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH A DIFFICULT BIRTH EXPERIENCE THIS STORY MAY NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO LISTEN TO

Dr. Riley Kirk shares her postpartum journey, discussing her high-risk pregnancy due to ICP, the challenges of early induction, and her return to cannabis use for mental well-being. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, mental health, and the healing power of cannabis, while also expressing gratitude for her supportive community.

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Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes international cannabis consultant, researcher, and author Russ Hudson to explore the fascinating world of flavonoids—an often overlooked but powerful group of compounds found in cannabis and everyday foods. In this episode, Russ shares his journey from the underground cannabis market to scientific research, and together they break down what flavonoids are, how they impact plant color, health, and resilience, and why they matter for human nutrition and wellness. Discover the latest research on cannabis-specific flavonoids, their potential medicinal benefits, and practical tips for boosting flavonoids in your diet. 

More Abo...

In part two of Dr. Riley Kirk's conversation with Dr. Janice Makela, MD, they delve into the complexities of cannabis use among the elderly, discussing its potential benefits and risks for sleep and mental health matters. The conversation also covers the importance of low dosing, the role of the endocannabinoid system, and the challenges of integrating cannabis into traditional medical practices. Big thanks to Dr. Janice for answering so many questions from the Bioactive community!

Find out more about Dr. Janice Makela, MD:

⁠https://www.janicemakelamd.com/⁠

Want...

Host Dr. Riley Kirk is joined by Dr. Janice Makela, MD for part one of a two part episode; the conversation was so interesting they couldn't cut it short!

They discuss the evolving landscape of cannabis medicine, particularly for the geriatric population. She emphasizes the importance of education for both patients and physicians, addressing common misconceptions and the need for responsible dosing. The discussion covers various consumption methods, including edibles and tinctures, and highlights the potential benefits and risks associated with cannabis use in older adults. Dr. Makela also shares insights on the importance of safe and...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, I sit down with Jürgen Bickel, Managing Director and Co-Founder of STORZ & BICKEL,  the legendary German company behind the Volcano, Mighty, Venty and Crafty vaporizers.

We dive deep into: - What dry herb vaping is and how it works - Why vaporizing cannabis may be a healthier option compared to smoking - The science behind medical-grade vaporizers and what makes STORZ & BICKEL devices trusted by patients and professionals worldwide - Which herbs (beyond cannabis) you can safely vaporize for wellness and relaxation -  How vapor quality, temperature control, and eng...

Devin Melnyk shares his journey from the gray market of cannabis cultivation to working with one of the largest licensed producers in Canada. He discusses the evolution of the cannabis industry, the differences between the Canadian and U.S. markets, and the importance of community in cannabis culture. Devin also tells us about the new HiNote app, designed to help users track their cannabis experiences and connect with others in the community.

Find out more about HiNote:

https://www.hinote.ai/

https://www.instagram.com/hinote.ai/

<...

This week we are headed to Germany, this podcast was recorded at the world's largest cannabis expo called Mary Jane Berlin. I had the opportunity to jointly host and record a podcast with Lauren Avenius, the CEO of Node Labs. She is doing some ground breaking work with cannabis breeding and genetics and is doing an amazing job connecting people across the industry. Her work also encompasses other companies like Four20Pharma and Compound Genetics.  

This conversation covers everything from strain specific effects, understanding dosing and consumption methods, and how our own genetics and the plant genetics ma...

In this conversation, host Dr. Riley Kirk and guest Dr. Jaap De Roode discuss the fascinating field of zoo pharmacognosy, exploring how animals medicate themselves using natural substances. He shares insights from his research on monarch butterflies and honeybees, highlighting the role of toxic compounds and fungi in animal health. The discussion also touches on the implications for agriculture, the importance of biodiversity, and the potential for learning from animal behaviors in medicine. Dr. De Roode emphasizes the need for more research in this area and the significance of maintaining natural ecosystems for the health of both animals and...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of cannabis science with Dr. Miyabe Shields and host Dr. Riley Kirk cofounders of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy. NAP is a nonprofit focused on studying the real world uses of cannabis and other natural products as well as the biochemical mechanisms. In this episode, we discuss the latest updates on biochemistry projects, the importance of enzymes in the endocannabinoid system, and the exciting findings from the Science of Smokability study. Discover how community insights are shaping research and the future of cannabis as a medicine. The role of enzymes...

In this conversation, Dr. Michele Ross discusses the complexities of cannabis use during pregnancy, sharing her personal experiences and insights as a neuropharmacologist and fibromyalgia patient. The discussion highlights the lack of comprehensive research on the effects of cannabis, the comparative safety of cannabis versus traditional medications, and the stigma surrounding its use. Dr. Ross emphasizes the importance of advocacy, education, and support systems, including the role of doulas, in navigating the challenges faced by pregnant women considering cannabis as a treatment option. In this conversation, Dr. Michele Ross discusses the complexities of cannabis use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and...

In this episode, Riley Kirk shares her personal journey through pregnancy, focusing on her experiences with cannabis use, tapering down her consumption, and the emotional and physical changes she faced.

She discusses the importance of mental health during this time, the role of her supportive partner, and the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). The conversation also touches on the gender reveal process and the complexities of navigating a high-risk pregnancy. In this conversation, Riley Kirk shares her personal journey with Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP), a rare liver condition that can occur during pregnancy. She...

In this conversation, Host Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Anurag Agrawal discuss the intricate relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed, exploring themes of coevolution, chemical ecology, and the ecological arms race. He explains how monarchs have adapted to survive the toxic compounds in milkweed, the challenges they face due to habitat destruction and pesticides, and the importance of conservation efforts. The discussion highlights the fascinating dynamics of species interactions and the need for community involvement in preserving biodiversity.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Monarchs and Milkweed

06:32 The Co-evolutionary Dance

11:32 Monarchs...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Allyn Howlett—renowned neuroscientist and pioneer in cannabinoid research—shares her groundbreaking journey into the study of cannabis and the discovery of the CB1 receptor. Originally focused on neuronal hormones, Dr. Howlett recounts how her curiosity led to one of the most pivotal findings in medical cannabis science: the identification of the brain’s first cannabinoid receptor.

She dives into the mechanisms of THC, the function of cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, and the discovery of the endocannabinoid system. The conversation explores the historical development of cannabinoid resear...

In this conversation, Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Josh Kaplan delve into the complexities of cannabis research, particularly focusing on CBD and its therapeutic potential for conditions like epilepsy. Dr. Kaplan shares his journey into cannabis research, highlighting the significance of understanding CBD's mechanisms, the role of GPR55 in seizure management, and the challenges of dosing CBD effectively. They also discuss the entourage effect, the importance of personalized medicine, and the ongoing research into terpenes and their interactions with cannabinoids. The conversation emphasizes the need for further exploration in cannabis research to develop safe and effective therapies, especially for...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk interviews David Sandelman from Cannatrol, delving into the intricate processes of drying and curing cannabis. David shares his journey into the cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of controlling environmental conditions to achieve optimal drying and curing results. The conversation explores the science behind water activity, the significance of terpene retention, and the implications of traditional drying methods like the 60-60 method. David highlights the impact of drying rates on the final product and discusses the potential for enzymatic processes to enhance the curing experience. The episode concludes with insights...

In this conversation, Jordan River shares his journey into the cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of home growing and the concept of Overgrow, which advocates for more individuals to cultivate their own plants. He discusses the therapeutic benefits of cannabis, the connection to nature, and the role of caregivers in supporting patients who cannot grow for themselves. 

The conversation highlights the value of homegrown cannabis compared to dispensary products and the need for community support in the cannabis culture. In this conversation, Jordan River and Riley Kirk delve into the complexities of cannabis cultivation, e...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk and Dan Nelson from Happy Valley Genetics discuss the importance of home growing cannabis and the various types of seeds available. They delve into the differences between photoperiod and autoflower seeds, the benefits of feminized seeds, and what beginner growers should consider when selecting seeds. 

The conversation also touches on the evolution of cannabis genetics and the significance of disease resistance in cannabis cultivation. In this conversation, Dan Nelson and Riley Kirk delve into the intricacies of cannabis breeding, focusing on the importance of s...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk speaks with Dr. June Chin, Chief Medical Officer at Leafwell, about the evolving landscape of medical cannabis. 

They discuss the benefits of obtaining a medical card, the differences between medical and recreational cannabis, and the challenges faced by patients, including cost and accessibility. The conversation also delves into the sensitive topic of cannabis use and firearms, recent legal cases impacting this issue, and the importance of research in understanding the benefits of medical cannabis.

 Dr. Chin shares insights on th...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, host Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Elizabeth Sage who is a certified Ganjier- which is essentially the weed equivalent to a sommelier in the wine world.

In this conversation, Riley and Elizabeth delve into the intricate process of evaluating cannabis, discussing various aspects such as appearance, grinding techniques, flavor profiles, and the importance of set and setting in consumption. They share personal experiences with different strains and emphasize the significance of quality in cannabis products. The discussion also touches on the role of joint construction and...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, host Dr. Riley Kirk dives deep into groundbreaking cannabis science with world-renowned molecular biologist Dr. Ali Bektaş. Dr. Bektaş has an impressive background in plant biology, microbes, and agriculture, specializing in affordable and distributed systems for detecting nucleic acids in agricultural environments. He has worked extensively with cannabis nurseries and biotech companies as a consultant, staff scientist, and Chief Science Officer. Notably, Dr. Bektaş was one of the first scientists to publicly identify Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd) in cannabis populations, a discovery that reshaped the industry's approach to disease management.

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On this episode of Bioactive, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Megan Mbengue, RN, MS. Megan is the owner of the cannabis company The Trusted Cannabis Nurse. She formulates custom products for patient specific needs as well as selling whole plant formulations through her website. 

The conversation discusses a recent study that Megan completed implementing the use of suppositories for pain relief during menstrual periods. Megan shares her study on the effectiveness of suppositories for period pain. The study involved 103 participants who completed two menstrual cycles, one without suppositories and one with suppositories. The r...

🌱 In this episode of Bioactive, host Dr. Riley Kirk dives into her favorite cannabis research publications from 2024, sharing groundbreaking insights that advanced our understanding of this incredible plant.

📖 Exciting News! Dr. Kirk's upcoming book, Reefer Wellness: Understanding Cannabis as Medicine, is AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER now!

👉 Order Here

✨ In this episode:

📚 Read the research papers mentioned in the episode:

In this engaging conversation, Ken Behr shares his remarkable journey from a dyslexic child who struggled in school to a successful writer and former drug smuggler. He discusses the challenges he faced growing up, the influence of his family, and the cultural shifts he experienced moving to Florida during the rise of drug culture in the 1970s. Ken recounts his early experiences with cannabis, the transition to smuggling, and some of the wild stories from his past, including a dramatic plane smuggling incident that highlights the risks and adventures of that lifestyle. In this segment, Ken Behr shares his...

Host Riley Kirk interviews Sarah Burke, the founder of Women in Media Network and her new producer! 

They explore the intersection of cannabis, science, media, and the evolving perception of cannabis in society, especially as it pertains to women. They question some of the advertising challenges that the cannabis industry and content creators within it face, while looking at accepted habits and attitudes towards alcohol. They talk about content creation in the cannabis industry and its inevitable difficulties with censorship. Dr. Kirk emphasizes the medicinal benefits of cannabis and the importance of community knowledge and research in t...

Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk: Leaders in Cannabis and Natural Products Research

Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk, co-founders of the nonprofit organization The Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), are at the forefront of research and education in cannabis science and natural products. Through their work, NAP conducts national and international studies exploring diverse topics such as cannabis consumption patterns, consumer trends, emerging products, vape and lab testing, and data-driven insights into the natural products industry.

Tune in as they share cutting-edge science, discuss critical challenges in the industry like solvent contamination...

🌱 The Science and Magic of Sungrown Cannabis | Bioactive Podcast 🌱

Join Dr. Riley Kirk and an inspiring panel of experts — Tina Gordon, Lindsay MaHarry, Colleen King, and Christina Wong — as they dive deep into the unique qualities of sungrown cannabis! Recorded after their 2024 Emerald Cup panel discussion, this episode explores the unparalleled benefits of cultivating cannabis in natural sunlight and the artistry behind it.

🌿 In This Episode:

How Consumption Methods Affect Cannabis Chemistry | Dr. Riley Kirk | Bioactive Podcast

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk breaks down how cannabis consumption methods—whether smoking, vaping, or edibles—can impact the chemistry and effects you experience.

We often focus on strain-specific effects to curate our cannabis experience, but your method of consumption also plays a key role. Different methods produce unique combinations of compounds, changing how you experience the Entourage Effect. This theory, introduced by Dr. Ethan Russo, explains how the many compounds in cannabis work...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, we dive deep into a lesser-known but serious condition known as Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS). Join host Dr. Riley Kirk and guests Dr. Codi Peterson and Megan Mbengue as they explore the paradox of CHS, where in some rare cases, regular cannabis use leads to severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, despite cannabis being commonly used for its anti-nausea properties.

We discuss the symptoms, the prodrome phase, and the potential genetic components that may predispose individuals to CHS. The episode also highlights an ongoing study being conducted by Dr. Kirk...

In this video, Riley interviews Jini Glaros, the Chief Science Officer (CSO) at Modern Canna, about groundbreaking research on the relationship between water activity and moisture content in cannabis. Whether you're part of an MSO, a home grower, or just passionate about cannabis science, understanding how these factors influence product quality, shelf life, and data accuracy is essential.

Watch as Jini shares key insights from her experiments and discusses how this information can help improve industry standards and reporting practices. Don’t miss out on these valuable takeaways that can elevate your knowledge and practices in cannabis cu...

Dr. Riley Kirk is joined by Jason Wilson, MS on this episode of Bioactive. The two share many interests in self-exploration of the brain with drugs, navigating their own paths in the cannabis industry, thoughts on open access science, and more.

Jason is a neurodivergent scientist and excellent science communicator. He is the host of the podcast Isn’t Life Curious which is the new name after years of being the Curious about Cannabis Podcast. Jason is passionate about providing accessible educational material for consumers and medical patients.

This is...

Riley sits down for the second time with reserach scientist Twinkle Paryani from Abstrax Tech.

Twinkle recently wrote a paper titled "Nonterpenoid Chemical Diversity of Cannabis Phenotypes Predicts Differentiated Aroma Characteristics"

and can be found (open-access) at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.4c03225

This paper dives into the chemistry of smell, and when cannabis breeders are breeding for unique aroma, how they should be evaluating the final product. We often attribute the smell of cannabis to the terpene profile, but there is a lot more going on than...

On this week’s episode, Dr. Riley Kirk discusses microbial testing for cannabis products in the legal industry. This is a different conversation than living soil which will be a future topic. Riley chat with microbiologist and medical patient Morgan Boyle about what tests are being done, what species are being tested for and how these guidelines are determined.

NJ Homegrow initiative:

https://www.njhomegrow.com/

Follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! 

www.bioactivepodcast.com

Snapchat Morgan

@MorganCaitlin

Support this pod...

In this episode Dr. Riley Kirk interviews researcher Dr. Whitney Ogle about using cannabis for exercise, Dr. Ogle is passionate about this subject because she has found the benefits of medicating before runs, hikes and other forms of exercise and believes it can be a tool to a healthier lifestyle.

Dr. Kirk and Dr. Ogle talk about what reserach that is currently happening, how both of them personally integrate cannabis and exercise, navigating difficult conversations, the role of CBD and more.

Dr. Ogle's Bio: My personal mission is to make the science of human movement...

On this week’s episode, Dr. Riley Kirk discusses illegal pesticides found in legal California cannabis products with Alex Halperin, the founder of WeedWeek and one of the main reporters on this topic. They review what pesticides were found, how this investigation started, and how the industry can improve these findings.

This article is very important for medical users to be aware of and is unfortunately another reason why we need to have the right to homegrow. Most labs when analyzing cannabis products are using a targeted method of analysis, meaning they know what molecules they are lo...

Dr. Riley Kirk here letting you know that I'm taking a quick focus break to hit some deadlines for the book I'm writing, but I do have a few announcements!

In the meantime, get caught up on any episodes you've missed, watch this new YouTube video I mentioned, or listen to the latest episode of the Spicy Fat podcast which is part of the Women in Media Network I'm joining. I speak to Dr. Carlen Costa (psychotherapist, clinical sexologist, psychedelic assisted psychotherapist, cannabis educator, philanthropist, entrepreneur & author) about cannabis and mental health and I can't wait to...

Welcome back to another episode of #NAPTIME with Dr.Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk (host of Bioactive).

On these episodes the two stoner scientists recount cannabis industry events and discuss some of the relevant science.

In these episodes we recount some of the events we attend in the cannabis industry and also talk about a lot of cannabis science.

If you want to support NAP or learn more about the research we are conducting head to www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org.

Mad love my friends!

Learn more about...

In this week’s episode Dr. Riley Kirk and guest Tanya Funk dive in to the basics of providing nutrients to cannabis plants. This can look many ways depending on how you like to cultivate. The two discuss organic practices, organic gardening and what to look for to gauge your plants health.

Tanya is co-owner of a nutrient company called Organitek who specializes in nutrients for plants. Check them out at www.organitek.com with some amazing resources on growing plants!

Suggest guests for the podcast at www.BioactivePodcast.com or join the Bioactive Patreon fo...

Todays episode is all about oral health with the talented educator and communicator Stacy Bobak.

Stacy is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Certified Cannabis Educator in Ontario, Canada. She is the creator and owner of CannaDent - a Cannabis education platform for Dental Professionals and works as a college professor, public speaker, and nonprofit founder. 

She is a Breast Cancer survivor and a Medical Cannabis patient advocate and a soon to be a first-time Mom.

Learn more about Stacy on IG (@cannadent.ca) or LinkedIN (linkedin.com/in/stacybobak

Tinct...

How do we standardize an industry that is known as the wild west?

It's definitely difficult to implement standards in the cannabis industry but people like todays guest, Darwin Millard are working hard to ensure standards are in place to ensure quality and consistent products are on the legal market.

Standards are created to ensure that when you purchase a product there is no mold, pesticides, residual solvent and more. This topic is a little heavy, but very important for any consumer or manufacturer to understand.

If you want to ask guests questions...

The Network of Applied Pharmacognosy is a reserach non-profit formed by Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk.

The goal of the nonprofit is to provide a more nuanced and holistic view of cannabis as medicine and emphazie community data and engagement. On this #NAPTIME Riley and Miyabe head to Nova Scotia, Canada for two speaking events: one geared towards industry professionals and another towards consumers.

The two talk about what they discussed during these events as well as shenanigans during packing (Riley accidentally greens out tasting canna-butter pierogies), touring an aquaponics facility, getting detained...