Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Cannabis Risks EXPOSED: Addiction, Mental Health & Teen Brain Impact

Summary

---

Wellness Unmasked Weekly Rundown: Cannabis Risks EXPOSED

Host: Dr. Nicole Saphier
Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (Wellness Unmasked segment)
Date: February 19, 2026
Duration: ~8 minutes of core content
Theme: A deep dive into the risks, misconceptions, and public health realities of cannabis (marijuana) use, with special focus on addiction, mental health, and the impact on teen brain development.

---

Main Theme / Purpose

Dr. Nicole Saphier critically examines the growing normalization and commercialization of cannabis in the United States. She highlights the disconnect between declining perceptions of harm and mounting scientific evidence of health risks, especially for young people. The episode emphasizes the importance of honest conversations with adolescents, the dangers of high-THC products, and the urgent need to delineate between medical and recreational cannabis use.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cannabis Legalization and Perception (02:30)

• Cannabis is now legal for medical use in most states and recreational use in over half the country.
• Public perception of harm is dropping, particularly among young adults and teenagers.
• Dr. Saphier notes: “The biology hasn’t changed just because the laws have changed. There are risks.” (03:12)

2. Addiction and Dependency Risks

• Statistics from the CDC:
  • About 3 in 10 cannabis users develop cannabis use disorder (addiction).
  • For daily users, risk climbs to nearly half.
  • Early use increases dependency risk.
• “According to the CDC, about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis become addicted to it… and the younger someone starts, the higher their risk for dependency.” (03:40)

3. Adolescent Brain Development & Mental Health

• Cannabis use by teens is linked with:
  • Lower IQs (older study from 2012; ongoing studies reinforce findings).
  • Higher risk of psychosis, schizophrenia, especially in young men.
  • Increased rates of anxiety and panic disorders.
  • Impaired attention, memory, and executive function.
• “Teenagers, young adults who regularly use cannabis and THC products have lower IQs. Uh oh, that’s not good.” (04:05)
• “Studies all coming out showing younger users… have a higher risk of psychosis, schizophrenia, particularly in young men.” (04:26)
• Emergency visits for “hyperemesis syndrome”—severe continuous vomiting sometimes with bleeding.
  • “They are retching so badly that they can actually start bleeding from vomiting. So, so much.” (05:09)

4. Physical Health Concerns

• Emerging data links cannabis use with cardiovascular disease—heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias.
• Impact increases with higher-potency THC products.

5. Medical vs. Recreational Use

• Potential medical benefits exist (chemotherapy-induced nausea, certain seizure disorders, chronic pain, MS).
• “That’s very different than just blanket normalization of recreational, high potency, daily use cannabis, especially in those whose brains are still developing.” (05:55)

6. Potency of Modern Cannabis

• Modern products are much more potent (THC content now commonly 60–90% in vapes, dabs, edibles).
• High THC increases risk for mental and physical health harms.
• “Today’s cannabis, it’s not your parents’ marijuana. THC potency has increased dramatically over the past two decades.” (06:05)

7. Rising Teen Cannabis Use – Parental Guidance

• Teen cannabis use is on the upswing—nearly 1 in 5 high school seniors report use in the last month.
• Perceived harm at “historic lows.”
• Parents urged to educate children:
  • “Start early. Don’t wait until your kids are in high school… even in middle school, because that’s when curiosity begins.” (06:37)
  • Be specific: Explain brain development, affected brain regions (hippocampus and prefrontal cortex), impact on future cognitive capacity.
  • “If they blunt it, they’re not going to be the CEO. They’re always going to be working for someone else.” (07:09)
• Clarify medical vs. recreational messaging—FDA-approved medicines vs. unregulated dispensary products.
• Watch for red flags: declining grades, mood swings, sleep problems, paraphernalia (vape cartridges).

8. Dr. Saphier’s Personal Perspective

• “I don’t like it. I personally never have tried it.”
• Endorses that CBD products (without THC) are “probably significantly less harmful.”
• “When I talk about the concerns with cannabis use, I’m specifically speaking on the THC side of it.” (08:01)

9. Quick News Update: CDC Leadership (08:27)

• Dr. Jay Bhattacharya steps in as acting CDC director (previously known for challenging pandemic orthodoxy).
  • “Very intelligent physician… open-minded and he listens to other people.” (08:51)
• CDC has had a “revolving door” of leadership; uphill battle for new director.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Risk Perception:
  “People are not realizing that it actually has some risks, especially young adults and teenagers.” (02:50)

• On Cannabis Use Disorder:
  “According to the CDC, about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis become addicted to it… The younger someone starts, the higher their risk for dependency.” (03:40)

• On Teen Brain Development:
  “The adolescent brain is wiring its executive control system at that very moment. And THC directly affects parts of their brain, specifically the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex… If they blunt it, they’re not going to be the CEO.” (07:00)

• On High Potency Products:
  “The higher the THC levels, the highest the risk of psychosis and all of those other negative things.” (06:22)

• On Parenting:
  “Start early. Don’t wait until your kids are in high school. Parents, you need to talk to your kids, especially when they’re in middle school, because that’s when curiosity begins. Be specific when you talk to them.” (06:37)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:30 – Dr. Saphier’s introduction & overview of cannabis in America
• 03:40 – CDC addiction stats, dependency risk for teens
• 04:05–04:50 – Impact on IQ, psychosis, schizophrenia, anxiety
• 05:00 – Physical health effects: hyperemesis syndrome, cardiovascular issues
• 05:55 – Medical benefits vs. recreational use distinction
• 06:05–06:22 – Potency of modern cannabis & associated harms
• 06:35–07:18 – Parental guidance: timing, messaging, risk signs
• 08:01 – Dr. Saphier’s personal take on cannabis and CBD
• 08:27–09:06 – CDC leadership update: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

---

Conclusion

This episode offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of cannabis-related risks, especially for young people, and a call to arms for parents to have frank, informed conversations with their children. Dr. Saphier pushes back on the narrative that normalized or “medicinal” cannabis is risk-free, emphasizing science over hype, and distinguishing between safe medical use and risky recreational consumption. The segment concludes with a timely update on new CDC leadership under Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

Dr. Saphier’s final message:
“You have to educate your kids. Cannabis is dangerous, just like alcohol, just like other drugs… Start early. Be specific. And keep the conversation going.” (07:36)

---

Transcript

[Narrator/Political Advertiser]

We try to make healthy choices, but the fat cats hide the information we need to make them big. Insurance companies and hospital executives have been empowered over patients and families. That's not a system, that's a trap. We can't make America healthy again without seeing up front the price of every X ray, every doctor's visit, every pill and every hospital bill. That's why President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are restoring trust by demanding transparency in every part of American health care. Transparency is key demand.

[Public Investing Platform Announcer]

It's support for the show comes from Public, the investing platform for those who take it seriously. On Public you can build a multi asset portfolio of stocks, bonds, options, crypto and now generated assets which allow you to turn any idea into an investable index with AI. It all starts with your prompt. From renewable energy companies with high free cash flow to semiconductor suppliers growing revenue over 20% year over year, you can literally type any prompt and put the AI to work. It screens thousands of stocks, builds a one of a kind index and lets you back test it against the S&P 500. Then you can invest in a few clicks. Generated assets are like ETFs with infinite possibilities, completely customizable and based on your thesis, not someone else's. Go to public.com podcast and earn an uncapped 1% bonus when you transfer your portfolio. That's public.com podcast paid for by Public Investing Brokerage Services by Open to the Public Investing Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC Advisory Services by Public Advisors llc, SEC Registered Advisor Generated Assets is an interactive analysis tool. Output is for informational purposes only and is not an investment recommendation or advice. Complete disclosures [e-mail] disclosures you're listening to

[Redfin Real Estate Advertiser]

a podcast, so you're doing something else too. Like maybe scrolling home listings on Redfin, saving places you like without thinking you'll get them. Because that's what house hunting has become. But Redfin isn't built for endless browsing. It's built to help you find and own a home. Redfin agents close twice as many deals as other agents, which means when you find a place you love, you've got a real shot at getting it. Redfin helps turn saved listings into real addresses. Get [e-mail] own the dream.

[Elf Cosmetics Advertiser]

The Big Game commercials are basically must see tv. This year Elf Cosmetics went all out with an absurdly funny telenovela called Melissa. It stars Melissa McCarthy, Nicholas Gonzalez, Itati Cantoral and E L F Glow Reviver Lip Oil. The Elf Glow Reviver Lip Oil is an ultra glossy tinted lip oil that nourishes hydrates and enhances your lips. Natural, natural color.

[Dr. Nicole Safire]

Watch the full episode of their new elf novella on soyumbano.com welcome to Wellness Unmasked. I'm Dr. Nicole Safire and this is your weekly rundown. I want to talk to you about cannabis today because it seems like everyone's talking about it, the normalization of it, the commercialization of it, and whether public health is just keeping up with the science. Seems to me people are actually starting to pay attention. If you scream loud enough at the potential harms. It takes a while, but it sounds like people are starting to listen. So let's start with reality. Cannabis is now legal for medical use in most states and recreational use, you know, for fun, in more than half the country. But the perception of harm is dropping, meaning people are not realizing that it actually has some risks, especially young adults and teenagers. Well, teenagers, they seem to be pretty risk averse. They don't necessarily think anything is risky. But the biology hasn't changed just because the laws have changed. There are risks. Here's what we know. According to the CDC, about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis become addicted to it, called cannabis use disorder. That number climbs to nearly half among people who smoke or use cannabis in whatever form they're using it in daily. And the younger someone starts, the higher their risk for dependency. Now why is that an issue? Well, let me tell you, it's not because some study just came out last month. No. In fact, the oldest study that I know of is from 2012 that shows teenagers, young adults who regularly use cannabis and THC products have lower IQs. Uh oh, that's not good. Fast forward. 2016, 2017, 2020 studies all coming out showing younger users that use cannabis and THC have a higher risk of psychose schizophrenia, particularly in young men. There's also higher rates of anxiety and panic disorders, impaired attention, memory, executive function, increased emergency departments, visits for hyperemesis syndrome. Do you know what that means? That means they can't stop vomiting. It's awful. I've seen it. People come in and no, you just can't give them a little medicine and they feel better. They are retching so badly that they can actually start bleeding from vomiting. So, so much. And by the way, there's growing data showing cardiovascular disease may be linked to it. Heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, and other things. Now, are there potential benefits of. Sure, there's evidence supporting cannabinoids for chemotherapy, induced nausea, certain seizure disorders, chronic pain syndromes, multiple sclerosis. But that's very different than just blanket normalization of recreational high potency. Daily use cannabis, especially in those who brains are still developing, which doesn't happen until about 25. Let's be honest, today's cannabis, it's not your parents. Marijuana, THC potency has increased dramatically over the past two decades. High concentrate products, vapes, dabs, edibles, whatever the kids are doing these days, I don't even know. But they can contain 60 to 90% THC because that matters. The higher the THC levels, the highest the risk of psychosis and all of those other negative things. Teen cannabis use is rising again. Sure, kids are drinking less alcohol, but they're trading one vice for another. Nearly one in five high school seniors report using cannabis in the last month. But that's because the perceived harm is at historic lows. Parents, you have to educate your kids. Cannabis is dangerous, just like alcohol, just like other drugs. It's not, oh well, it's not as bad as some of the other stuff. Okay, sure, you're right. It's not like black tar heroin, but it doesn't mean it's good for you. So first, start early. Don't wait until your kids are in high school. Parents, you need to talk to your kids, especially when they're in middle school, because that's when curiosity begins. Be specific when you talk to them. Don't just say, ooh, marijuana's bad. Don't do it. Because if you say that, they're going to be like, okay, mom, you don't know what you're talking about. Explain that. The adolescent brain is wiring its executive control system at that very moment. And THC directly affects parts of their brain, specifically the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. They need that if they actually want to go and be a CEO one day. If they blunt it, they're not going to be the CEO. They're always going to be working for someone else. Next, differentiate the whole medical from recreational messaging. Kids hear, oh, well, it's medicine, so it must be. Okay, clarify that FDA approved approved cannabinoid medications are not the same as dispensary products with unregulated potency and other additives. And also, of course, just watch for red flags. Kids, they experiment all the time. If they have declining grades, withdrawals, not sleeping very well, mood swings, hiding things, you're finding those little vape cartridges. I'm telling you guys, they're no good. Yes, I get it. We don't want kids smoking cigarettes. We also don't want them smoking potatoes. We just don't now zooming out. I'm going to take away from cannabis my take on it. I don't like it. I personally never have tried it. I think CBD products are probably significantly less harmful if they don't contain thc. I am not a fan of thc. I think if people are trying to get away from alcohol and they want to take low doses of cbd, not inhaling it, not smoking anything, I'm sure it's probably less risky than some of the other things out there. But when I talk about the concerns with cannabis use, I'm specifically speaking on the THC side of it. Now zooming out, I want to quickly mention something else that happened this week because it's a leadership change up in the administration. Dr. J. Bhattacharya has stepped in as acting director of the cdc. You may know him. He became nationally known for challenging the pandemic orthodoxy and advocating pretty much for a more open scientific debate. President Trump appointed him to lead the NIH right now under Secretary Kennedy. Now he is stepping in to fill the temporary role of CDC director. I don't know if you've noticed, but we actually haven't had a permanent CDC director for more than a couple of weeks since President Trump took the White House. It's been a revolving door. It's probably because the CDC is a complete mess and it's hard to kind of find someone that is able to take charge but who can also gain the trust of the people who are working there. It's definitely going to be an uphill battle. Dr. Bhattacharya, very intelligent physician. He is open minded and he listens to other people. So I like him in a leadership position. I'm interested to see exactly what exactly he will do at the CDC level and that's that more to come. Good luck to you, Dr. Bhattacharya. Thank you so much for listening to Wellness Unmass. This is your weekly rundown. I'm Dr. Nicole Safire. Be sure to listen to Wellness unmask on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and I'll see you next time.

[Narrator/Political Advertiser]

We try to make healthy choices, but the fat cats hide the information we need to make them big. Insurance companies and hospital executives have been empowered over time, patients and families. That's not a system, that's a trap. We can't make America healthy again without seeing up front the price of every X ray, every doctor's visit, every pill, and every hospital bill. That's why President Trump and Secretary Kennedy are restoring trust by demanding transparency in every part of American health care. Transparency is key.

[Redfin Real Estate Advertiser]

Demand it There's a difference between liking a house and actually getting it. Redfin is built to make up that difference and close the gap between finding and owning the home for you. Redfin Redfin agents close twice as many deals as other agents, so when you find a home you love, you're not a step behind when it comes to making an offer. That means less watching great homes disappear and more focus on the one you'll call home. Redfin helps turn saved listings into real addresses. Get [e-mail] own the dream sinesta Travel

[Sonesta Travel Advertiser]

Pass is the most rewarding way to travel. Sign [e-mail] for instant savings, bonus points and perks like early check in, late check out, room upgrades and free stays. Choose from 1100 hotels across 13 brands and unlock the best rates. When you book with Sonesta Travel Pass here today, Rome tomorrow, join [e-mail], terms and conditions apply.

[Coldwater Creek Advertiser]

You see it instantly. It's Coldwater Creek, the mark of exceptional workmanship and signature touches inspired by a Mountain west heritage. Distinctive styles created from quality fabrics, silhouettes perfected with just the right drape. Feel good fits offering ease, ease of movement and thoughtful details to elevate your look. For a wardrobe you can count on season after season, visit coldwatercreek.com shop the new spring collection at 20% off $75 or more with code iheart20.