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

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. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman 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