Episode 7 - Nuances of the Endocannabinoid System w/Daniele Piomelli, PhD, MD

In episode 7, Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Daniele Piomelli examine intricacies of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), exploring its mechanisms, functions, and implications for health and medicine. They discuss the role of cannabinoids in signaling, the distribution of cannabinoid receptors, and the ECS’s influence on feeding behavior, pain management, and social interactions. The conversation highlights potential therapeutic approaches targeting the ECS, highlighting differences between central and peripheral Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors, while also addressing the challenges faced in drug development and the need for further research.

Daniele Piomelli, PhD, MD (hon) is Distinguished Professor of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biological Chemistry, and Louise Turner Arnold Chair in the Neurosciences at UC Irvine. Additionally, he serves as Director of UCI’s multidisciplinary Center for the Study of Cannabis. Dr. Piomelli has led pioneering work into pathways involved in the formation and deactivation of brain endocannabinoids, uncovered important physiological functions of these compounds, and identified pharmacological agents that interfere with their deactivation.  

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Episode 6 - Cannabis Use Disorder - Diagnosis and Symptoms with Meg Haney, PhD

In episode 6, Dr. Grant and Dr. Meg Haney delve into the complexities of Cannabis Use Disorder, exploring its definition, withdrawal symptoms, and the psychological dependency associated with cannabis use. They discuss the impact of cannabis on sleep and mood, the prevalence of Cannabis Use Disorder among those with psychiatric conditions, and the challenges in treating cannabis dependency. The conversation also highlights the intersection of cannabis use with other substances, particularly tobacco, and emphasizes the need for further research to understand the therapeutic benefits and risks of cannabis use.

Meg Haney, PhD is Professor of Neurobiology (in Psychiatry) Columbia University Irving Medical Center Director, Cannabis Research Laboratory Co-Director, Substance Use Research Center. Dr. Haney is internationally recognized for her expertise in cannabis and cannabinoids. She conducts placebo-controlled studies testing 1) the efficacy of potential treatment medications for Cannabis Use Disorder, and 2) the potential therapeutic effects of cannabis and its constituents. Dr. Haney's research has been continuously supported by NIH since 1999. She has authored more than 160 articles in peer-reviewed journals, 11 book chapters, is an Associate Editor for Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, an Advisory Editor for Psychopharmacology and is the recent past President of the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. 

Episode 5 - Cannabis legalization in Canada: Lessons for the U.S. with Mark A. Ware, MD

In episode 5, Dr. Grant speaks with Mark Ware, MD as he discusses the evolution of cannabis use in pain management, the implications of the Cannabis Act in Canada, and the differences in cannabis policies between Canada and the U.S. Dr. Ware highlights the importance of understanding the psychoactive effects of cannabis, the challenges in medical research, and the need for a cohesive regulatory framework to ensure safety and efficacy in cannabis products.

Mark A. Ware, MBBS, MSc, MRCP is an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and holds the Alan Edwards Chair in Clinical Pain at McGill University. He is also the Director of the interdisciplinary Alan Edwards Pain Management Unit at Montreal General Hospital. He was a co-founder of the non-profit Canadian Consortium for the Investigation of Cannabinoids and served as Executive Director from 2007 to 2018. Dr. Ware has advised the Canadian federal government on cannabis policy since 2001, and in 2016, he served as the vice-chair of the Federal Task Force on the Legalization and Regulation of Cannabis in Canada. The task force’s report became Canadian law as the Cannabis Act in October 2018.

Episode 4 - Brain difference and early substance use: Which comes first? with Alex Miller, PhD

In this episode, Dr. Grant speaks with ⁠Alex P. Miller, Ph.D.⁠, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine. This conversation explores the intricate relationship between substance use, genetics, and brain structure, focusing on the ABCD study, which follows children over a decade to understand the onset of substance use and its effects on mental health.

Dr. Alex Miller discusses the role of neuroimaging in identifying brain differences that may predispose individuals to substance use, the influence of genetics and environment, and the implications of these findings for understanding addiction and recovery.