Episodes

There are all sorts of misconceptions about coffee — that it dehydrates you, that it’s bad for your heart, or that caffeine is the only thing happening in the cup. Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes coffee scientist Dr. Steven Helschi...

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Harold Han , Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Vertosa to explore the fascinating world of the science powering modern cannabis beverages and infused products. Known inthe industry as “The H...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes cannabis attorney and legalization advocate Tom Howard to unpack the complexities of cannabis law and regulation in the United States. Drawing on more than 15 ...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Hemant Bid joins Dr. Riley Kirk discussing the often-overlooked world of acidic cannabinoids aka Raw or Unactivated cannabinoids, such as CBGA, THCA, and CBDA. He shares his exten...

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...

Dr. Riley Kirk has Jordan River on the podcast to discuss the intricacies of indoor cannabis cultivation, sharing personal experiences and insights on various aspects of growing. They cover topics such as the challenges of tr...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast , Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Miyabe Shields dive into the world’s largest study on infused cannabis beverages , exploring how cannabinoid-based drinkables are transforming wellness, social...

Alex Eckman shares his journey in the cannabis industry, from being a medical patient to pursuing a degree in cannabis chemistry at Lake Superior State University. He discusses the evolution of cannabis education, the importa...

CONTENT WARNING: IF YOU HAVE STRUGGLED WITH A DIFFICULT BIRTH EXPERIENCE THIS STORY MAY NOT BE BENEFICIAL TO LISTEN TO Dr. Riley Kirk shares her postpartum journey, discussing her high-risk pregnancy due to ICP, the challenge...

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes international cannabis consultant, researcher, and author Russ Hudson to explore the fascinating world of flavonoids—an often overlooked but powerful group of compounds found in cannabis and everyday f...

In part two of Dr. Riley Kirk's conversation with Dr. Janice Makela, MD, they discuss cannabis use among the elderly for sleep and mental health matters.

Dr. Janice Makela discusses Cannabis and Geriatric Care: Dosing, Consumption, and Special Health Considerations

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast , I sit down with Jürgen Bickel , Managing Director and Co-Founder of STORZ & BICKEL , the legendary German company behind the Volcano , Mighty , Venty and Crafty vaporizers. We dive ...

Host Dr. Riley Kirk speaks with Devin Melnyks about his experience navigating both the grower and tech start up spaces in the cannabis industry, and his new app called HiNote.ai.

This week we are headed to Germany, this podcast was recorded at the world's largest cannabis expo called Mary Jane Berlin. I had the opportunity to jointly host and record a podcast with Lauren Avenius, the CEO of Node Labs....

In this conversation, host Dr. Riley Kirk and guest Dr. Jaap De Roode discuss the fascinating field of zoo pharmacognosy, exploring how animals medicate themselves using natural substances. He shares insights from his researc...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of cannabis science with Dr. Miyabe Shields and host Dr. Riley Kirk cofounders of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy. NAP is a nonprofit focused on studying the real world uses of cann...

In this conversation, Dr. Michele Ross discusses the complexities of cannabis use during pregnancy, sharing her personal experiences and insights as a neuropharmacologist and fibromyalgia patient. The discussion highlights th...

In this episode, Riley Kirk shares her personal journey through pregnancy, focusing on her experiences with cannabis use, tapering down her consumption, and the emotional and physical changes she faced. She discusses the imp...

In this conversation, Host Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Anurag Agrawal discuss the intricate relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweed, exploring themes of coevolution, chemical ecology, and the ecological arms race. He...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Allyn Howlett—renowned neuroscientist and pioneer in cannabinoid research—shares her groundbreaking journey into the study of cannabis and the discovery of the CB1 receptor. Origi...

In this conversation, Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Josh Kaplan delve into the complexities of cannabis research, particularly focusing on CBD and its therapeutic potential for conditions like epilepsy. Dr. Kaplan shares his journey...

In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk interviews David Sandelman from Cannatrol, delving into the intricate processes of drying and curing cannabis. David shares his journey into the cannabis industry, emph...

In this conversation, Jordan River shares his journey into the cannabis industry, emphasizing the importance of home growing and the concept of Overgrow, which advocates for more individuals to cultivate their own plants. He ...