BIOACTIVE

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley
Kirk sits down with Dr. Rick Pescatore, board-certified emergency
physician, Editor-in-Chief of Emergency Medicine News, and founder of
BellyMD, for a fascinating deep dive into the gut-brain connection and
what it means for cannabis users and patients dealing with unexplained
digestive symptoms.

Dr. Pescatore explains how the gut and brain communicate
through the vagus nerve, why the gut has been called the “second brain,”
and how genetics, diet, gut bacteria, inflammation, and cannabis can all
influence this complex system. The conversation also explores cannabinoid
hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) and why understanding CHS requires looking
beyond cannabis alone and considering the broader gut-brain system.

We also get into GLP-1 medications and gut-brain medicine,
nausea and vomiting, microbiome health, micronutrient deficiencies, vitamin B1
(thiamine), magnesium, and whether personalized health data could help us
better understand why someone feels unwell. Dr. Pescatore shares how emerging
tools, including phenomic data, wearable technology, AI, and the Menome
platform, could help patients identify patterns that traditional medicine may
overlook.

We also discuss cannabis and the gut microbiome, CHS,
thiamine deficiency, antibiotics and gut health, personalized medicine, patient
autonomy, and the future of gut-brain healthcare.

In this episode, we explore:

- What is the gut-brain axis and how does the gut
communicate with the brain?

- Why does the gut have such a major role in
neurotransmitters and brain health?

- What does the gut microbiome have to do with anxiety,
depression, and other conditions?

- What is cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), and how
does it fit into gut-brain health?

- Could underlying gut-brain dysfunction contribute to
cannabis-related symptoms?

- How do GLP-1 medications affect the gut-brain axis?

- What role do vitamin B1, magnesium, and micronutrients
play in gut-brain health?

- Can microbiome testing and wearable data help personalize
healthcare?

- Could AI help patients better understand their own health?

- What does the future of personalized gut-brain medicine
look like?

This is a conversation about cannabis, medicine, the
microbiome, nutrition, neuroscience, personalized health, and the emerging
science connecting them all.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 CHS Big Picture

01:17 Podcast Welcome

02:18 Meet Dr Pescatore

03:50 Defining Gut Brain Axis

05:50 Second Brain Neurons

06:42 Leaky Gut Explained

07:44 Omics And AI Boom

11:18 GLP1s As Gut Brain Drugs

13:57 GLP1 Risks And Nausea

16:46 Supplements And Diet Basics

18:28 Personalized Testing Options

19:57 Menome Phenomic App

23:46 Digital Biomarker Score

24:56 CHS Telemedicine Pipeline

27:32 Scromiting Dopamine Clue

28:28 What Really Causes CHS

29:14 Dopamine Targeted Treatment

30:06 Genetics And Dopamine Links

31:49 Gut Inflammation Hypersensitivity

32:52 Microbiome And Vitamin Deficits

34:29 Probiotics Versus Supplements

35:54 Thiamine Magnesium Protocol

37:33 Side Effects And Vivid Dreams

40:33 Can Patients Use Again

41:48 FMT And Antibiotic Fallout

43:44 Cannabis Heart Risk Reality

45:34 ER Priorities Psychosis CHS

46:25 Prevention Tips And B1 For All

47:25 Social Media And The App

50:10 Patient Autonomy And Wrap Up

Explore Dr. Rick Pescatore & BellyMD

🌐 Rick Pescatore: rickpescatore.com
🌐
BellyMD: belly-md.com
📱
Menome: menome.belly-md.com

Bioactive Podcast listeners can get 3 months of free
access to Menome with code MGBSUB1MO.

🌿 MGB+ Calm: BellyMD
MGB+ Calm
Use code RILEY15 for discount.



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https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/



Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and
informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical
advice.
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What actually happened inside the DEA’s cannabis rescheduling hearing? In this timely episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Max Jackson, former commercial cannabis cultivator and founder of Cannabis Wise Guys, to unpack what he witnessed firsthand at the DEA hearing on moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III.

Max spent most of the hearing inside the room, taking handwritten notes because recording and livestreaming were not permitted. As someone who previously managed a commercial cultivation facility with approximately 13,000 flowering cannabis plants, he offers a unique perspective on the arguments being made about cannabis, medical use, public health, research, and the plant itself.

Together, Riley and Max break down who opposed rescheduling, what the government and opposing parties argued, and some of the surprising claims and misconceptions that came up during the proceedings. They discuss the difference between whole-plant cannabis and isolated cannabinoids, the challenges of dosing and medical education, cannabis research limitations, adverse effects, and why the lack of cannabis research is itself connected to decades of Schedule I restrictions.

The conversation also explores what rescheduling to Schedule III could actually mean, what happens next in the process, why the administrative judge does not make the final decision, and why the DEA ultimately holds that decision.

Whether you're a cannabis consumer, home grower, medical professional, researcher, cultivator, cannabis business owner, or simply trying to understand the future of cannabis policy in the United States, this episode gives you an inside look at a hearing most people never had the opportunity to see.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:40 Max Jackson Background

01:36 Why He Attended Hearing

02:52 Security and Closed Doors

06:46 Who Opposed Rescheduling

08:18 Bias and Expert Framing

10:58 Psychosis and CUD Claims

17:08 IV THC and Syringe Confusion

19:16 Plant vs Single Molecule

23:36 No Medical Use Argument

26:45 Youth Access and Regulation

31:13 Humboldt Crime Fears

33:07 Hearing Strategy Angle

33:57 Drugged Driving Testing

35:50 Tolerance And Impairment

38:30 Research Collaboration Gaps

41:10 Breastfeeding And Postpartum

42:54 ER Harms And Education

45:48 Schedule Logic Debate

51:21 DEA Museum Narrative

54:26 Van Check At DEA

57:49 What Happens Next

59:27 Wrap Up And Resources

Connect with Max Jackson

Cannabis Wise Guys

https://cannabiswiseguys.com/

Cannabis Fact Book

https://thecannabisfactbook.com/

Email: max@cannabiswiseguys.com

IG: www.instagram.com/cannabiswiseguys/

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cannabis science, plant biology, and more!

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https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

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https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
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In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk
sits down with cannabis research scientist Ben Cleary to unpack
groundbreaking research published in Scientific Reports examining THC
variability in cannabis flower and what it means for consumers, cultivators,
laboratories, and regulators.

If you've ever wondered why the same strain can feel
different from batch to batch—or why chasing the highest THC percentage often
leads to disappointment—this conversation explains the science behind it.

Ben shares how his team's research demonstrates the natural
variability of THC within a single cannabis plant and why reporting one THC
percentage may not accurately represent what consumers actually purchase.
Together, Riley and Ben discuss the future of cannabis labeling, range-based
THC reporting, lab testing variability, terpene science, chemical diversity,
and how better education can improve purchasing decisions and consumer trust.

They also explore why aroma may be a better guide than THC
percentage alone, how Canada's cannabis industry is beginning to implement THC
ranges, the role of laboratory variation in cannabis testing, and what future
cannabis packaging could look like as science continues to evolve.

Whether you're a cannabis consumer, cultivator, scientist,
budtender, regulator, or simply curious about how cannabis testing really
works, this episode offers an evidence-based look at one of the industry's
biggest conversations.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Meet Ben Cleary

01:04 Inside Village Farms

02:56 Why Study THC Variability

07:19 What the Data Shows

10:28 Range Based Labels

14:08 Low Dose Access Debate

16:37 Health Canada Pilot

19:06 Beyond THC Terpenes

22:56 Lighting and Scale Limits

30:31 Sampling Protocol Shortcut

33:23 Lab Testing Variability

35:26 Measured THC Reality

36:56 Quality Metrics Beyond THC

38:56 Industry Adoption Push

40:48 Why Village Farms Did It

43:05 Next Research Frontiers

45:11 Real World Data Approach

46:20 Science Community Stories

49:02 Medical Education Gap

52:50 Chemical Diversity Score Idea

56:15 Simplifying Labels for Consumers

57:39 Where to Follow the Research

59:40 Closing and BC Invite



Read the Scientific Reports paper discussed in this
episode:https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-06962-2

Connect with Ben Cleary
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-cleary-746b00172/

Village Farms International: https://villagefarms.com/

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Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as
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questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr.
Kirk one-on-one.

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cannabis science, plant biology, and more!



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https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
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Cannabis seed laws are changing, and the consequences could reshape home grow, hemp, cannabis breeding, and the future of plant genetics in the United States.

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with longtime organic farmer, seed breeder, and policy advocate Jim Riddle to explain the proposed federal seed ban, why cannabis seeds are being caught up in new legislation, and what it could mean for growers, breeders, researchers, and consumers.

Drawing from over four decades of experience in organic agriculture and public policy, Jim breaks down how a single sentence in federal legislation could classify cannabis seeds based on the THC content of the parent plant rather than the seed itself. Together, Riley and Jim discuss why many believe this is both scientifically flawed and harmful to innovation, home cultivation, and the broader hemp industry.

The conversation also explores cannabis genetics, landrace preservation, hemp seed regulation, organic farming, home grow rights, the importance of genetic diversity, and practical ways listeners can advocate for keeping seeds legal.

If you care about cannabis science, cultivation, hemp policy, seed preservation, or the future of cannabis genetics, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Seed Ban Warning
00:51 Jim’s Seed Origin Story
02:23 DEA Ruling and Hemp License
03:17 The One Line That Changes Everything
05:13 ASIGA Lobbying Push
07:14 Why Genetics and Homegrow Matter
09:40 Jim’s Breeding Program
13:17 Hemp’s Bigger Potential
16:15 Minnesota Seed Label Model
18:16 Illicit Market and Business Fallout
22:27 GoFundMe and Fixing Congress
23:22 How to Pressure the Senate
25:08 Deadline November 12
25:55 Hemp Bill Timeline
26:52 Who Controls Genetics
27:45 Gene Editing Patents
29:27 Grassroots Seed Culture
30:36 Breeding With Males
31:50 Art Of Pheno Hunting
34:21 Odds Of Reversal
35:59 Seed Buying And Shipping
39:14 Seed Poem Interlude
41:17 Organic Policy Credentials
44:57 Home Grow And Hemp Future
47:55 Call Your Senators
48:47 Final Thanks And Signoff

Connect with Jim Riddle

🌱 Blue Fruit Farm

https://bluefruitfarm.com/

🌱 Lamb's Breath Seeds

https://www.lambsbreathseeds.com/

🌱 Read the ASIGA White Paper & Support the Campaign

https://asiga.org/

💚 Want exclusive content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Riley one-on-one.

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🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more conversations on cannabis science, cultivation, genetics, policy, and plant biology.

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Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk

🌿 Bioactive Podcast

https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

🌿 YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem

🌿 Instagram

https://instagram.com/cannabichem

🌿 Applied Pharmacognosy

https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
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Cannabis tissue culture, plant genetics, micropropagation, and pathogen testing are transforming modern cultivation. In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk is joined by Dr. Nathan Johnson, President & CEO of Verne Bio, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—tools in cannabis cultivation.

Together they explore how tissue culture is helping preserve elite cannabis genetics, eliminate plant pathogens, improve cultivation consistency, and solve some of the industry's biggest challenges. Drawing from Dr. Johnson's extensive background in molecular biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, and plant science, the conversation breaks down how tissue culture works, why it's becoming essential for commercial cultivation, and what growers should know before adopting it.

The discussion also examines cannabis testing, microbial contamination, remediation methods, irradiation, and the science behind maintaining healthy plants without sacrificing quality. They unpack how beneficial microbes interact with cannabis, why current testing regulations remain controversial, and the differences between qPCR, culture-based testing, sequencing, and pathogen detection. The episode also explores THC testing variability, why cannabinoid percentages aren't always the best indicator of quality, and how cultivation practices influence the chemistry consumers ultimately experience.

Whether you're a home grower, commercial cultivator, cannabis scientist, breeder, laboratory professional, or simply curious about the future of cannabis science, this episode is packed with practical insights and evidence-based discussion.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup

01:00 Nathan’s Background and Mission

01:59 Why Mother Plants Decline

03:28 Tissue Culture Origins and Bananas

04:39 Media and Hormones Explained

06:03 Meristem vs Node Methods

07:11 Sterile Lab and Decontamination

09:09 Strain Specific Recipes

12:32 Cleaning Pathogens and Viroids

13:31 Hop Latent Viroid Reality Check

15:57 Biobanking and Longevity

18:32 Gen Zero Vigor Strategy

19:46 Rooting and Hardening Off

22:01 Reintroducing Beneficial Microbes

24:24 Does Tissue Culture Change Chemistry

26:35 Experimentation and In House Testing

28:19 What Verne Bio Actually Does

30:06 Batch Size Reality Check

30:20 Solving Contamination Mysteries

31:07 Why SOPs Matter

32:32 Massachusetts Testing Spotlight

35:18 Setting Safety Thresholds

36:07 Microbial Tests Explained

39:03 Remediation Risks

40:00 Irradiation Tradeoffs

44:16 Sequencing Path to Pass

48:32 qPCR vs Culture Methods

52:42 Sampling Variance Shock

54:39 Rethinking THC Reporting

57:09 Where to Find VernBio

57:54 Final Thanks and Wrap

Connect with Dr. Nathan Johnson

🌱 Verne Bio

https://vernbio.com/

💼 LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-johnson/

📧 Contact

info@vernbio.com

🌿 Thank you to our sponsor, Storz & Bickel!

Storz & Bickel manufactures medical-grade dry herb vaporizers and some of Dr. Riley Kirk's favorite devices for daily use. Visit https://www.storz-bickel.com and use code Riley10 for 10% off most items.

Want exclusive content and ad-free episodes?

Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Riley Kirk.

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Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications for more conversations covering cannabis science, cultivation, plant biology, pharmacology, and the latest research.

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Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk

Website: https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/

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Applied Pharmacognosy: https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/
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