BIOACTIVE

What is living soil cannabis cultivation, and how do soil microbes, mineral balancing, and growing environments influence cannabis plants? On this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Luna Whitcomb, an organic cannabis cultivator, consultant, writer, and breeder, to explore the science of living soil, soil food web ecology, plant nutrition, and terpene expression. With more than 18 years of cultivation experience across indoor, outdoor, greenhouse, and large-scale hemp operations, Luna shares how organic cultivation practices can support soil health, nutrient cycling, and the unique expression of cannabis genetics. This conversation explores the differences between hydroponic cultivation and living soil, the concept of terroir, and how soil composition, microbial diversity, mineral availability, and light exposure may influence plant structure and aroma. Luna explains soil mineral balancing, soil testing, reusing and re-amending soil, composting, worm castings, insect frass, and the role of companion planting in nutrient cycling. The discussion also examines the risks associated with improperly composted animal manures, the challenges of managing pests and pathogens, and the limitations of current cannabis lab testing when it comes to measuring the full range of aroma compounds. Dr. Riley Kirk and Luna also discuss cannabis cultivation across different regions, from the differences Luna observed between British Columbia and eastern Canada to her experience judging a Thai landrace cannabis competition. They explore the challenges of growing equatorial genetics outside their native environments, auto-deprivation greenhouses, large outdoor plants, and even the debate around using urine as a fertilizer. Whether you're interested in organic cannabis cultivation, living soil, soil microbiology, terpene science, or sustainable growing practices, this episode offers a deeper look at the ecology behind the plant. Chapters 00:00 Meet Luna Whitcomb 00:35 Origin Story Growing Cannabis 02:41 Living Soil vs Hydro 05:56 Terroir Microbes Minerals 08:51 Getting Started Living Soil 12:30 Soil Testing Reuse 15:00 Can You Taste Living Soil 16:56 Consulting And Microscopy 20:56 Why Living Soil Matters 22:59 Compost Worms Frass 25:05 Manure Pathogen Risks 27:44 Pests Ecosystems Canada 29:45 Canada Flower Quality 31:03 BC Terroir Talk 31:52 Thailand Landrace Judging 32:11 What Landrace Means 33:59 Got Sick From Smoking 35:15 Solo Trip Into Mountains 37:37 Lanterns And Bamboo Bong 39:30 Growing Equatorial Genetics 41:35 Auto Dep Greenhouse 42:21 Monster Outdoor Plants 44:50 Companion Planting Science 46:36 Pee As Fertilizer Debate 48:26 Where To Find Luna 49:01 Seed Laws And Landrace Sales 50:26 Final Wrap Up Connect with Luna Whitcomb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunallday/ Website and seed inventory: https://moongrownbotanicals.com/ Support the Bioactive Podcast Support the show on Patreon for more cannabis science and educational content: https://www.patreon.com/Cannabichem Sign up for updates and educational resources from Applied Pharmacognosy: https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/ Keep Up with Dr. Riley Kirk https://www.bioactivepodcast.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@cannabichem https://www.instagram.com/cannabichem/ https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/ If you enjoy conversations about cannabis science, organic cultivation, soil microbiology, terpenes, and plant chemistry, subscribe to the Bioactive Podcast, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this episode with someone interested in the science of growing cannabis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are cannabis terpenes, how do they influence aroma and consumer experiences, and what do we know about their safety? On this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Dr. Shawna Vreeke, PhD, DABT, Head of Toxicology at True Terpenes, to explore the science of cannabis terpenes, terpene chemistry, cannabinoid interactions, and consumer safety. With a PhD in Chemistry focused on toxin formation in vape device aerosols and expertise in toxicology risk assessment, Shawna shares insights into what current research tells us about terpenes and where important questions remain unanswered. They discuss the differences between cannabis-derived and botanically derived terpenes, how terpene profiles may influence cannabis effects, and why THC percentage alone doesn't tell the whole story. The conversation also examines terpene concentrations in vape cartridges, the effects of overheating and chemical degradation, vaping hardware standards, potentially harmful diluents, and the importance of science-based safety regulations. Shawna also explains how terpenes are studied in edibles, why consumer experiences matter, and how aroma, sensory testing, and quality control can help us better understand these complex compounds. From the relationship between terpenes and the entourage effect to stereoisomers, cannabis aroma chemistry, and the limits of current research, this episode offers a deeper look at what we know about terpenes and what scientists are still working to understand. Chapters 00:00 Meet Shauna Vrieki 02:27 Vape Crisis Lessons 03:55 Terpenes 101 Basics 05:06 Cannabis Aroma Diversity 08:16 Do Terpenes Affect You 13:02 Research Criticism Reality 14:31 Botanical vs Cannabis Terps 20:15 Terp Percent in Vape Carts 23:13 Hardware and Regulation Gaps 26:47 Overheating and Degradation 30:17 Edibles and Oral Metabolism 34:04 Safe Viscosity and Thinners 34:52 Safer Diluents Guide 35:36 PEG MCT PG Risks 36:53 Recalls And GMP Tracking 39:48 Terpene Myths And Shopping 42:03 Vape Habits And Safety 43:59 Indica Sativa By Aroma 46:45 Terpene Percent Ceiling 50:28 Isomers And Sensory QC 55:04 Loud Flavors Breakthrough 56:38 Favorite Terpenes Wrap Connect with Dr. Shawna Vreeke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/svreeke Learn More About True Terpenes Website: https://trueterpenes.com/ 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. 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, pharmacology, and natural products! 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

Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Miyabe Shields for a deep dive into cannabis real-world data, cannabis consumption patterns, dosing, neurodivergent cannabis use, and the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). As co-founders of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), Riley and Miyabe discuss the newly accessible Real Data Project, including what large-scale consumer data can reveal about how people actually use cannabis in their everyday lives. They explore why terms like “heavy cannabis consumption” are difficult to define, how consumption can vary by dose and frequency, and what the data shows across different populations and consumption methods. They also discuss the importance of making real-world cannabis data accessible to consumers, researchers, patients, and healthcare professionals rather than keeping it behind academic paywalls or within highly controlled research settings. The conversation also covers cannabis and neurodivergence, cannabis and mental health, the challenges of interpreting cannabis research, product chemistry and consumer experiences, terpene levels, cannabis aging, and how chemical data can eventually be connected with the way individual consumers actually feel after using a product. Finally, Riley and Miyabe discuss their ECS-focused e-book, created to make information about the Endocannabinoid System more accessible to both new and experienced cannabis consumers, including practical information about dosing, lifestyle, sleep, exercise, diet, and understanding your own ECS. Chapters 00:00 Giveaway! 00:53 Welcome to another NAP Time episode 01:27 What is the Real Data Project? 03:00 Why “heavy cannabis consumption” is difficult to define 04:25 Dose, frequency, and different types of cannabis consumers 06:05 What the consumption data is beginning to reveal 09:20 Real-world data on cannabis-infused beverages 11:39 Cannabis use and neurodivergent populations 14:27 What the data can and cannot tell us 17:45 Cannabis research, stigma, and risk factors 19:13 Barriers to cannabis as medicine 23:09 Real-world data vs. clinical trials and meta-analyses 29:45 Why cannabis chemistry alone doesn't tell the whole story 34:41 Making cannabis data accessible to everyone 39:00 How cannabis aroma preferences change over time 41:26 Terpenes, harshness, and the importance of mouthfeel 47:49 Connecting product chemistry with real-world effects 49:15 What happens to cannabis as it ages? 51:46 Explore the Real Data Project 52:26 A new Endocannabinoid System e-book 58:14 Building research with community feedback 59:06 What Miyabe and Riley are consuming right now 01:02:14 Final thoughts Resources Explore the Real Data Project / RWD Exchange: https://rwdexchange.com/ Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP): https://www.appliedpharmacognosy.org/ E-book Update We really hope the e-book is ready by the time this episode airs, but we’re still working on finalizing the graphics! Once the e-book is ready, we’ll announce it on the podcast and through Patreon, so be sure to stay tuned for the official release. Enter the Storz & Bickel VZ Giveaway: https://forms.gle/gBLCEem9BwherVdYA Connect With Dr. Miyabe Shields on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miyabeshields 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. 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, natural products, 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

What if carbon is one of the most overlooked inputs in plant nutrition? In this episode of the Bioactive Podcast, Dr. Riley Kirk sits down with Nik Nikolayev, CEO of Rooted Leaf Agritech, to explore the science of carbon-based fertilizers, plant nutrition, biostimulants, organic acids, and the chemistry behind plant growth, yield, and quality. Nik breaks down how plants use carbon beyond simply taking up CO₂ from the atmosphere, and why forms of carbon such as acetate and citrate may provide important substrates that can enter plant metabolism. The conversation explores how carbon interacts with NPK nutrition, photosynthesis, energy allocation, nutrient uptake, and secondary metabolism, including the pathways involved in producing cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and sulfur-containing compounds. They also dive into natural fertilizers and plant-based biostimulants, including kelp, hibiscus, moringa, anthocyanins, humic and fulvic acids, and other botanical inputs. Nik explains the idea behind using medicinal plants and their chemistry in agriculture, how organic acids can interact with minerals, and why the form of a nutrient may matter as much as the nutrient itself. The conversation also explores the carbon economy of cannabis, trichome metabolism, terpene diversity, rare cannabinoids, sulfur chemistry, nutrient stress, and the challenges of testing compounds that occur at extremely low concentrations. Throughout the episode, Nik emphasizes the importance of connecting theoretical chemistry with practical growing results while acknowledging where the science is still developing. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Meet Nick Nikolaev 01:23 Fermentation Sparks Curiosity 02:19 Microbes Soil and Health 03:27 Medicinal Plants as Inputs 04:58 Biostimulants vs NPK 07:36 Feeding Plants Carbon 10:00 Citric Acid and Chelation 14:44 Extending the Rhizosphere 16:14 Energy Budget and Nitrate 19:01 Results More Terps Cannabinoids 21:19 CO2 The Carbon Lever 25:16 Terpenes vs Cannabinoids Pathways 26:18 Sulfur Thiols and Aroma 31:23 Stress Salts and Organics 33:04 Why Kelp Extracts Work 36:43 Medicinal Plant Inputs 37:52 Anthocyanin Foliar Shield 38:49 Carbon Four Rs Framework 40:17 Feeding Trichome Metabolism 42:07 Terpene Profile Shifts 43:59 Prenylation Chemistry Explained 45:42 Evolution Of Enzyme Promiscuity 48:56 Polyketide Pathway Variants 50:32 Rare Cannabinoids Potential 53:23 Testing Limits And Sulfur Trace 55:21 Bioavailable Carbon Forms 58:14 Bioaccumulation And Detox 01:02:58 Moringa Burn Lesson 01:05:30 Learning Loop And Field Data 01:09:40 Closing Thanks And Wrap Connect with Nik Nikolayev Nik Nikolayev CEO, Rooted Leaf Agritech Website: https://rootedleaf.com/ 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. 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

Dr. Riley Kirk has Dr. Denise Valenti on the podcast to discuss cannabis and driving, cannabis impairment, THC testing, and the challenges of determining whether someone is actually too impaired to drive. They explore why THC levels in the body do not necessarily correspond to impairment and how cannabis can affect vision, peripheral vision, contrast sensitivity, eye movement, balance, and pupil response. They also discuss the limitations of current roadside cannabis testing compared with alcohol testing, including the challenges of using blood THC levels, cognitive tests, and field sobriety tests to determine cannabis impairment. Dr. Valenti explains her work developing technology that could combine multiple sensory measurements to identify impairment more accurately. The conversation also explores how dose, tolerance, consumption method, individual differences, medical conditions, and baseline function can influence impairment and why there is no universal rule for how long someone should wait before driving after consuming cannabis. They discuss Drug Recognition Experts, the need for stronger scientific validation and national standards, and the importance of developing impairment-testing technology that is accurate and free from racial bias. Finally, they discuss cannabis and driving research, harm reduction, the challenges of funding cannabis impairment studies, and why controlled, dose-specific research is needed to better understand the relationship between cannabis, impairment, and road safety. Chapters 00:00 Cannabis Driving Question 01:08 Denise Valenti Background 03:57 Vision Loss and Driving Research 05:49 Dopamine Retina Link 07:34 Building Impairment Tests 09:38 Why THC Levels Fail 14:39 Courtroom Ready Tech 17:45 Four Part Roadside Goggle 19:56 Crash Data and Medical Use 23:33 How Long Impairment Lasts 28:41 Microdosing and Self Awareness 34:39 DREs and Legal Standards 37:05 Bias In New Tech 39:19 Glassy Eyes Mystery 39:48 Smell Changes And Munchies 41:46 THC In Tears Study 46:35 Roadside Vs Workplace Testing 48:04 Cannabis Vs Alcohol Risks 50:01 Road Design Harm Reduction 51:40 Road Rage And Crutches 53:31 Grant Funding Reality 56:30 Why This Work Matters 58:11 Health Risks And Research Limits 01:00:24 Final Safety Takeaways 01:01:25 Wrap Up And Next Topics Connect with Dr. Denise Valenti Dr. Denise A. Valenti, OD, FAAO Founder & President, IMMAD LLC Impairment Measurement Marijuana and Driving 🔗 Connect with Denise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-a-valenti-53b72516/ 🔬 Learn more about IMMAD: www.immadroadside.com IMMAD is focused on the development of objective technologies for identifying marijuana-related impairment, including visual functions relevant to safe driving. Want to Learn More About Cannabis Science? Follow the Bioactive Podcast for more conversations about cannabis science, plant biology, pharmacology, health, and the research shaping our understanding of cannabis. 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. 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/ #CannabisAndDriving #CannabisImpairment #THCImpairment #DruggedDriving #ImpairedDriving #CannabisScience #CannabisResearch #THCTesting #CannabisTesting #DrivingSafety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices