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BIOACTIVEDr, Riley Kirk discusses cannabis, psychedelics, toxins, pharmaceuticals & other bioactive substances with current research to community stories Author: Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.
Dr. Riley Kirk is a cannabis research scientist and educator. She obtained her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, specializing in natural product chemistry, studying the traditional and contemporary uses of hundreds of medicinal plants. She is currently an assistant associate professor at the University of Rhode Island, has worked as an immunology scientist in the biotech industry, and works in the cannabis industry studying the chemical complexity of cannabis smoke. Riley is also the co-founder of the cannabis research and education non-profit organization called the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP). Through NAP and on her podcast, Riley uses science as advocacy to research and communicate findings that highlight the unique power of natural products. The goal of Rileys work is to unite people in the Cannabis industry, academia, and consumers to further the reach of Cannabis education and reduce harm. Riley is passionate about making Cannabis science accessible through social media channels and alternative media which lead to Bioactive; an educational podcast which disseminates the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products. On this bi-weekly podcast, she covers current news and research surrounding cannabis, psychedelics, toxins, pharmaceuticals & other bioactive substances. Listen for special guests highlighting community stories. Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Cannabis Question and Answer Sesh!
Friday, 12 December, 2025
In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk shares a 2025 year-in-review and announces exciting news about teaching a cannabis chemistry and pharmacology course at Vermont State University next Spring. Riley then dives into a Q&A packed with highly requested cannabis education topics, answering real listener questions about nanoemulsification safety, whether CBN truly helps with sleep, and the pros and cons of dabbing concentrates. She also breaks down how to talk to family about cannabis use, the science behind THC:CBD ratios, why “indica vs. sativa” is largely a myth, and how different strain chemistries influence effects. Riley explains the difference between live resin vs. live rosin vape cartridges, how nano cannabis products work in the body, and whether already-vaped cannabis is still edible or effective. If you are curious about cannabis science, consumption methods, harm reduction, or understanding how cannabinoids and terpenes really work, this episode is packed with practical insights. Riley closes with a warm holiday message and a look ahead at what’s coming in 2026. Topics covered: cannabis chemistry, nano THC safety, CBN for sleep, dabbing benefits, THC/CBD ratios, terpene science, talking about cannabis with family, live resin vs. live rosin, cannabis education, pharmacology, cannabis myths, and more. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on the Year and Future Plans 02:47 Q&A: Exploring Cannabis and Pharmacology 05:56 Creating Custom Cannabis Experiences 08:27 Understanding CBN and Its Effects 10:37 Dabbing: Benefits and Drawbacks 26:37 Understanding Dabs: Pros and Cons 29:03 Coming Out of the Green Closet 32:36 Engaging with the Cannabis Science Community 35:11 Balancing THC with CBD 38:47 THC and Seizure Treatment 41:16 Debunking the Indica vs. Sativa Myth 46:12 Vape Cartridges: Live Resin vs. Live Rosin 52:03 Using Vaped Cannabis for Edibles VTSU Course Information: For non-matriculated students (those not fully enrolled in VTSU), form: https://connect.vermontstate.edu/register/NonMatricStudents Section and Number: HUM-2710-S01, Course 1 title: Cannabis as Medicine Join the Bioactive Patreon community for as little as $1/month to ask guests your burning questions, access exclusive content, and connect with Dr. Kirk one-on-one. www.Patreon.com/Cannabichem 🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more expert insights into cannabis science, plant biology, and more! Sign Up for Emails! www.AppliedPharmacognosy.org Keep up with Dr. Riley Kirk: https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem https://instagram.com/cannabichem https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
