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High5 with Dr. Igor Grant, MD

High5 with Dr. Igor Grant, MD

Igor Grant, MD 18 Episodes Oct 1, 2026

High5 with Dr. Igor Grant is a monthly podcast exploring the evolving world of medicinal cannabis. Host Dr. Igor Grant, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research at UC San Diego, speaks with top scientists and clinicians. In each episode he poses five thought-provoking questions to guests about their personal journeys and contributions to the field. The conversations cover groundbreaking research and clinical insights into medical cannabis.

Episodes

Football, Cannabis, and Following Your Heart with Ricky Williams
Football, Cannabis, and Following Your Heart with Ricky Williams Oct 1, 2026 00:20:50 In this episode, former NFL running back and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams discusses his experiences with cannabis, social anxiety, and recovery during his football career. He describes how therapy and self-reflection while using cannabis helped him understand his anxiety, and how cannabis became part of a broader approach to recovery that included yoga, stretching, and meditation. He also
Cannabis, the Gut and the Metabolic Paradox with Nicholas DiPatrizio, PhD
Cannabis, the Gut and the Metabolic Paradox with Nicholas DiPatrizio, PhD Jul 31, 2026 00:33:52 In this episode, Dr. Nicholas DiPatrizio discusses how the endocannabinoid system helps regulate appetite, nutrient sensing, metabolism, and communication between the gut and brain. He describes findings from mouse studies showing how cannabinoid signaling in the intestinal lining may promote preferences for foods high in fat and sugar and interfere with signals that normally tell the brain when t
Cannabis, Brain, and Aging with Kent Hutchison PhD
Cannabis, Brain, and Aging with Kent Hutchison PhD Jun 1, 2026 00:26:46 In this episode, Dr. Kent Hutchison discusses how his research on cannabis grew from a background in alcohol and nicotine studies into a broader effort to understand both the risks and potential benefits of cannabis use. He describes findings from large brain-imaging datasets suggesting that lifetime cannabis use was associated with larger regional brain volumes and better performance on some cogn
Cannabis Smoke & Cardiovascular Health with Matthew Springer, PhD
Cannabis Smoke & Cardiovascular Health with Matthew Springer, PhD May 1, 2026 00:38:19 SummaryIn this episode of High5 with Dr. Igor Grant, Dr. Matt Springer explains how inhaling smoke from combusted products such as tobacco and cannabis, as well as inhaling aerosol from e-cigarettes and cannabis vaping devices, may impair endothelial function, an early marker of cardiovascular risk. Drawing on rodent and human studies, he reports that chronic tobacco smokers, e-cigarette users, an
Cannabis for Migraine Headache with Nat Schuster, MD
Cannabis for Migraine Headache with Nat Schuster, MD Apr 1, 2026 00:34:53 Summary: In this episode, Nathaniel Schuster, MD, Professor and Medical Director of the Center for Pain Management at UC San Diego Health, explores the potential role of cannabinoid therapy in migraine care. Join us as Dr. Schuster shares insights into the benefits, limitations, and practical considerations of this approach, and discusses his latest research on vaporized cannabis for acute migrain
Terpenes in Cannabis: Are they therapeutic? with Catherine Cahill, MD
Terpenes in Cannabis: Are they therapeutic? with Catherine Cahill, MD Mar 1, 2026 00:23:34 In this episode, Catherine M. Cahill, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA Brain Research Institute, delves into the fascinating world of terpenes—natural aromatic compounds found in cannabis and other plants—and their potential therapeutic effects, especially for pain relief. Join us as Dr. Cahill shares her expertise on the mechanisms, research findings, and regulatory status of these promis
Cannabis & Schizophrenia A causal link? with Deepak D'Souza, MD
Cannabis & Schizophrenia A causal link? with Deepak D'Souza, MD Dec 1, 2025 00:34:43 In this episode, Dr. Deepak D'Souza, a renowned psychiatrist from Yale University, discusses the complex relationship between cannabis and psychosis. He explores the potential causal links, the role of environmental factors, and the implications of cannabis-induced psychosis as a precursor to schizophrenia. The conversation delves into the evolving landscape of cannabis potency and its impact on m
Delta-8-THC: A public health perspective with Eric Leas, PhD
Delta-8-THC: A public health perspective with Eric Leas, PhD Nov 2, 2025 00:35:00 SummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Eric Leas delve into the complexities surrounding Delta-8-THC, exploring its differences from Delta-9-THC, consumer demand, regulatory challenges, and safety concerns. They discuss the implications of state regulations on the market, the need for compliance in cannabis research, and the future of Delta-8-THC regulation. The conversation also touc
Cannabis Use Among Older Adults with Alison Moore, MD, MPH
Cannabis Use Among Older Adults with Alison Moore, MD, MPH Sep 30, 2025 00:36:47 In this conversation, Dr. Igor Grant and Dr. Alison Moore discuss the increasing prevalence of cannabis use among older adults, the reasons behind this trend, and the medical applications of cannabis. She highlights the complexities of cannabis use, including its association with comorbid conditions and the challenges in educating both healthcare providers and patients about its safe use. The conv
Digital Tools for Managing Cannabis Use with Alan Budney, PhD
Digital Tools for Managing Cannabis Use with Alan Budney, PhD Sep 1, 2025 00:47:05 SummaryIn episode 10, Drs. Grant and Alan Budney, PhD of Dartmouth explore the intersection of cannabis use and behavioral health, focusing on contingency management as a method for addressing problematic cannabis use. The discussion highlights the integration of digital technologies in interventions, the role of craving in cannabis use, and the challenges healthcare providers face in communicatin
Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes with Ziva Cooper, PhD
Minor Cannabinoids and Terpenes with Ziva Cooper, PhD Aug 1, 2025 00:40:50 SummaryIn episode 9, Drs. Grant and Ziva Cooper discuss her research on medicinal cannabis, focusing on gender differences in cannabis response, the therapeutic potential of minor cannabinoids and terpenes, and the opioid-sparing effects of cannabinoids. The conversation highlights the complexities of cannabis research, including regulatory challenges and the need for further studies to clarify th
Cannabis Advocacy and Regulation with Dale Gieringer, PhD
Cannabis Advocacy and Regulation with Dale Gieringer, PhD Jun 30, 2025 00:43:21 SummaryIn episode 8, Drs. Igor Grant and Dale Gieringer discuss Dr. Gieringer’s extensive involvement in cannabis legalization efforts in California, particularly through his work with California NORML. He reflects on the historical context surrounding cannabis laws, the significance of Proposition 215, the first medical marijuana initiative, and the subsequent passage of Proposition 64, which leg

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