In this episode, my guest is Dr. Matthew Hill, Ph.D., a professor of cell biology and anatomy at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the University of Calgary and an expert on the biology of cannabis. We discuss how cannabis affects the brain to produce its psychoactive effects (feeling “high”), including altered time perception, focus, memory, appetite, and stress.

We discuss how THC vs. cannabidiol (CBD) affects the brain, the effects of different routes of cannabis administration (e.g., smoking, vaping, edibles), high-potency THC, and whether cannabis is addictive. We discuss if there is a link between cannabis use and the development of psychosis, anxiety, bipolar depression, or schizophrenia.

We discuss whether CBD has clinical benefits in regulating stress, promoting sleep, and treating certain diseases. We also discuss if there are real and consistent differences in the biological effects of different cannabis strains, if cannabis impacts hormones, and the uses of cannabis for the management of pain, stress, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and nausea.

Listeners of this episode will get an up-to-date understanding of what is currently known about how cannabis affects the brain and body, including both its potential benefits and risks.

Access the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Dr. Matthew Hill

00:00:00 Sponsors: Eight Sleep, LMNT & BetterHelp

00:07:16 Cannabis, THC, Cannabidiol (CBD), Terpenes

00:12:08 Psychoactive Effects, Cannabis “High”; Time Perception

00:16:55 Cannabis & Brain, CB1 Receptor, Endocannabinoids

00:26:19 Endocannabinoids Types: Anandamide, 2-AG

00:33:46 “Munchies”, Cannabis & Appetite

00:42:17 Sponsor: AG1

00:44:06 THC & Anandamide, Pharmacology

00:52:37 THC & CB1 Receptors, Intoxication & Appetite

00:58:57 Cannabis & Focus, Memory

01:04:09 Routes of Administration, Concentration, Cannabis Research

01:15:12 Self-Regulation, Inhalation & THC, Tolerance; THC Concentrates

01:22:25 Sponsor: InsideTracker

01:23:36 Addiction & Cannabis, Cannabis Use Disorder

01:31:30 Cannabis Legalization & Use, Edibles & ER Visits

01:36:48 Oral Consumption, Edibles, Dosing & Time Course

01:41:12 Drug Testing & Cannabis, Exercise

01:46:04 Cannabis & Hormones, Gynecomastia, Sperm Quality

01:54:37 Cannabis & Pregnancy; Selling Recreational Cannabis

02:04:07 Vaping

02:07:05 Psychosis, Anxiety & Cannabis

02:17:17 Cannabis, Psychosis, Schizophrenia & Genetics

02:30:45 Cannabis Use & Schizophrenia, Manic Bipolar, THC Potency, Nicotine

02:40:37 Schizophrenia, Cannabis Legalization

02:45:06 Cannabis Strains, Indica, Sativa, Subjective Effects & Expectancy Bias

02:57:00 CBD, Pediatric Epilepsy, Adenosine

03:07:22 Entourage Effect; Placebo Effect, CBD & Doses

03:19:12 Cannabis Health Risks, Cardiovascular Risk, Schizophrenia

03:27:08 Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome & Hot Shower

03:31:30 Cannabis Benefits: Pain, Stress, Anxiety, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

03:40:18 Cannabis & Anxiety, Anandamide & Stress Response

03:45:55 Scientific Discussion, Clarification & Advancement

03:49:47 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer

Dr. Matthew Hill: How Cannabis Impacts Health & the Potential Risks