In this week's episode, we explore the use of marijuana (cannabis) as a pain relief medication. We go over the main psychoactive component of marijuana, THC, how it works, and how it interacts with neurons in the brain and body to lower our perception of pain.

References:

Rikard, S. M. (2023). Chronic pain among adults—United States, 2019–2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10121254/

Knopp, K. L., Downing, A. M., Anthony, L., Chaterjee, S., Price, K., & Sparks, J. (2024). An innovative phase 2 chronic pain master protocol design to assess novel mechanisms in multiple pain types. Pain Reports, 9(6), e1203.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11487222/

Grant, K. S., Petroff, R., Isoherranen, N., Stella, N., & Burbacher, T. M. (2018). Cannabis use during pregnancy: pharmacokinetics and effects on child development. Pharmacology & therapeutics, 182, 133-151. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163725817302243

Rollston, C. (2020). The emergence of alphabetic scripts. A companion to ancient near eastern languages, 65-81. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119193814.ch4

Henson, J. D., Vitetta, L., & Hall, S. (2022). Tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol medicines for chronic pain and mental health conditions. Inflammopharmacology, 30(4), 1167-1178. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/S10787-022-01020-Z

Sokolaj, E., Assareh, N., Anderson, K., Aubrey, K. R., & Vaughan, C. W. (2024). Cannabis constituents for chronic neuropathic pain; reconciling the clinical and animal evidence. Journal of Neurochemistry, 168(11), 3685-3698. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jnc.15964

Borges, J. P., Mekhail, K., Fairn, G. D., Antonescu, C. N., & Steinberg, B. E. (2021). Modulation of pathological pain by epidermal growth factor receptor. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 642820. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.642820/full

Apkarian, A. V., Baliki, M. N., & Geha, P. Y. (2009). Towards a theory of chronic pain. Progress in neurobiology, 87(2), 81-97. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301008208001135

Bie, B., Wu, J., Foss, J. F., & Naguib, M. (2018). An overview of the cannabinoid type 2 receptor system and its therapeutic potential. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 31(4), 407-414. https://journals.lww.com/co-anesthesiology/abstract/2018/08000/an_overview_of_the_cannabinoid_type_2_receptor.5.aspx

Shahbazi, F., Grandi, V., Banerjee, A., & Trant, J. F. (2020). Cannabinoids and cannabinoid receptors: The story so far. IScience, 23(7). https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(20)30488-0

Vučković, S., Srebro, D., Vujović, K. S., Vučetić, Č., & Prostran, M. (2018). Cannabinoids and pain: new insights from old molecules. Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 416167.

On this week's episode, we review celiac disease. We talk about what it is, and what goes wrong inside the body. We discuss the underlying genetic factors and why genetics alone aren't enough to guarantee celiac disease. We wrap up on a hopeful note, exploring new avenues to be explored in clinical research trials.

References:

Lebwohl, B., & Rubio-Tapia, A. (2021). Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of celiac disease. Gastroenterology, 160(1), 63-75. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085%2820%2935165-9/fulltext

Lindfors, K., Ciacci, C., Kurppa, K., Lundin, K. E., Makharia, G. K., Mearin, M. L., ... & Kaukinen, K. (2019). Coeliac disease. Nature reviews Disease primers, 5(1), 3. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-018-0054-z

Sollid, L. M. (2000). Molecular basis of celiac disease. Annual review of immunology, 18(1), 53-81. https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.immunol.18.1.53

King, J. A., Jeong, J., Underwood, F. E., Quan, J., Panaccione, N., Windsor, J. W., ... & Kaplan, G. G. (2020). Incidence of celiac disease is increasing over time: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The American journal Gastroenterology, 115(4), 507-525. https://journals.lww.com/ajg/abstract/2020/04000/incidence_of_celiac_disease_is_increasing_over.9.aspx

Kelly, C. P., Murray, J. A., Leffler, D. A., Getts, D. R., Bledsoe, A. C., Smithson, G., ... & Turner, M. (2021). TAK-101 nanoparticles induce gluten-specific tolerance in celiac disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gastroenterology, 161(1), 66-80. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(21)00521-7/fulltext

In this week's episode, we explore how pain works, some of the causes of pain, and some of the possible solutions to chronic pain. We look at the who, what, and the how of pain in the body - and how its a brain process as much has in the body process.

References:

Kuner, R., & Flor, H. (2017). Structural plasticity and reorganisation in chronic pain. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 18(1), 20-30. https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.162

Borges, J. P., Mekhail, K., Fairn, G. D., Antonescu, C. N., & Steinberg, B. E. (2021). Modulation of pathological pain by epidermal growth factor receptor. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, 642820. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.642820/full

Kandel, E. R., Schwartz, J. H., Jessell, T. M., Siegelbaum, S., Hudspeth, A. J., & Mack, S. (Eds.). (2000). Principles of neural science (Vol. 4, pp. 1149-1159, 1227-1246). New York: McGraw-hill.

Johnson, M. I. (2019). The landscape of chronic pain: broader perspectives. Medicina, 55(5), 182. https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/55/5/182

Knopp, K. L., Downing, A. M., Anthony, L., Chaterjee, S., Price, K., & Sparks, J. (2024). An innovative phase 2 chronic pain master protocol design to assess novel mechanisms in multiple pain types. Pain Reports, 9(6), e1203.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11487222/

Rikard, S. M. (2023). Chronic pain among adults—United States, 2019–2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10121254/

Apkarian, A. V., Baliki, M. N., & Geha, P. Y. (2009). Towards a theory of chronic pain. Progress in neurobiology, 87(2), 81-97. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301008208001135

On this week's episode, we review the history of the flu. We explore ancient flu pandemics, the "Spanish flu" of 1918, and the state of the flu today. In addition, we explore why the flu is so hard to achieve lasting immunity from infection or vaccination. We also get into the nitty-gritty of what the flu is, how it works, and what's being done in the world of science and clinical research to help protect us better.

References:

Trilla, A., Trilla, G., & Daer, C. (2008). The 1918 “spanish flu” in spain. Clinical infectious diseases, 47(5), 668-673. https://doi.org/10.1086/590567

Lina, B. (2008). History of influenza pandemics. In Paleomicrobiology: past human infections (pp. 199-211). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.

Saunders-Hastings, P. R., & Krewski, D. (2016). Reviewing the history of pandemic influenza: understanding patterns of emergence and transmission. Pathogens, 5(4), 66. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/5/4/66

Barry, J. M. (2004). The site of origin of the 1918 influenza pandemic and its public health implications. Journal of Translational medicine, 2(1), 3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC340389/

Potter, C. W. (2001). A history of influenza. Journal of applied microbiology, 91(4), 572-579. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2672.2001.01492.x

Francis, M. E., King, M. L., & Kelvin, A. A. (2019). Back to the future for influenza preimmunity—Looking back at influenza virus history to infer the outcome of future infections. Viruses, 11(2), 122. https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/11/2/122

Hannoun, C. (2013). The evolving history of influenza viruses and influenza vaccines. Expert review of vaccines, 12(9), 1085-1094. https://doi.org/10.1586/14760584.2013.824709

On this week's episode, we look at an increasingly full house of treatments which are being developed to join the club of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease medications. We look at what ADPKD is, who it affects, and what kinds of treatments on the horizon may be a diamond in the rough. Find out all about ADPKD in this fun podcast that raises spirits, suits a quest for knowledge, and doesn't bluff about this condition!

References:

Cornec-Le Gall, E., Alam, A., & Perrone, R. D. (2019). Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. The Lancet, 393(10174), 919-935. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2186986383?accountid=14690

Jdiaa, S. S., Mustafa, R. A., & Alan, S. L. (2025). Treatment of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease. American Journal of Kidney Diseases, 85(4), 491-500. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272638624010321

Koren, M. J., Chebib, M. (16 July, 2025). What's on the horizon for polycystic kidney disease (PKD)? On MedEvidence! Truth Behind the Data. [Podcast]. https://medevidence.com/whats-on-the-horizon-for-polycystic-kidney-disease-pkd

Chebib, F. T., & Torres, V. E. (2018). Recent advances in the management of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 13(11), 1765-1776. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6237066/

Reiterová, J., & Tesař, V. (2022). Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: from pathophysiology of cystogenesis to advances in the treatment. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(6), 3317. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/6/3317

Kashyap, S., Zeidler, J. D., Chini, C. C., & Chini, E. N. (2020). Implications of the PAPP-A-IGFBP-IGF-1 pathway in the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic kidney disease. Cellular signalling, 73, 109698. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0898656820301753

On this week's episode, written by guest author Christy Kestner, PhD, we discuss traumatic brain injury; when the brain gets banged around enough to cause damage. We explore the causes, problems, some ways to protect yourself, and what to do if you or someone you know experiences a traumatic brain injury; along with signs and symptoms to help identify one.

References: 

Taylor, C. A., Bell, J. M., Breiding, M. J., & Xu, L. (2017). Traumatic Brain Injury-Related Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations, and Deaths - United States, 2007 and 2013. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Surveillance summaries (Washington, D.C. : 2002), 66(9), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.ss6609a1 

Bener, A., Omar, A. O., Ahmad, A. E., Al-Mulla, F. H., & Abdul Rahman, Y. S. (2010). The pattern of traumatic brain injuries: a country undergoing rapid development. Brain injury, 24(2), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.3109/02699050903508192 

McKee, A. C., & Robinson, M. E. (2014). Military-related traumatic brain injury and neurodegeneration. Alzheimer's & dementia, 10(3 Suppl), S242–S253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2014.04.003 

Shenton, M. E., Hamoda, H. M., Schneiderman, J. S., Bouix, S., Pasternak, O., Rathi, Y., Vu, M. A., Purohit, M. P., Helmer, K., Koerte, I., Lin, A. P., Westin, C. F., Kikinis, R., Kubicki, M., Stern, R. A., & Zafonte, R. (2012). A review of magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging findings in mild traumatic brain injury. Brain imaging and behavior, 6(2), 137–192. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-012-9156-5 

Cheng, Y. S., Tseng, P. T., Wu, Y. C., Tu, Y. K., Wu, C. K., Hsu, C. W., Lei, W. T., Li, D. J., Chen, T. Y., Stubbs, B., Carvalho, A. F., Liang, C. S., Yeh, T. C., Chu, C. S., Chen, Y. W., Lin, P. Y., Wu, M. K., & Sun, C. K. (2021). Therapeutic benefits of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for depressive symptoms after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN, 46(1), E196–E207. https://doi.org/10.1503/jpn.190122 

Komoltsev, I. G., Frankevich, S. O., Shirobokova, N. I., Volkova, A. A., Onufriev, M. V., Moiseeva, J. V., Novikova, M. R., & Gulyaeva, N. V. (2021). Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Loss in the Hippocampus Are Associated with Immediate Posttraumatic Seizures and Corticosterone Elevation in Rats. International journal of molecular sciences, 22(11), 5883. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115883 

Baracaldo-Santamaría, D., Ariza-Salamanca, D. F., Corrales-Hernández, M. G., Pachón-Londoño, M. J., Hernandez-Duarte, I., & Calderon-Ospina, C.-A. (2022). Revisiting Excitotoxicity in Traumatic Brain Injury: From Bench to Bedside. Pharmaceutics, 14(1), 152. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14010152 

Li, L., Zhou, J., Han, L., Guo, C., Ma, S., Ge, S., & Qu, Y. (2024). Intervention of CXCL5 attenuated neuroinflammation and promoted neurological recovery after traumatic brain injury. Neuroreport, 35(9), 549–557. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNR.0000000000002032 

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is incredibly common, affecting 1 in 7 Americans, and heart disease is a common cause of death for those with CKD. In this week's article we explore the role inflammation plays in chronic kidney disease and how the same inflammation that damages the kidneys may also lead to damage in other parts of the body, including the heart. We also review why inflammation is beneficial in low amounts and what's being done to help lower chronic inflammation without compromising this vital immune response.

References:

Kadatane, S. P., Satariano, M., Massey, M., Mongan, K., & Raina, R. (2023). The role of inflammation in CKD. Cells, 12(12), 1581. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells12121581

Kovesdy, C. P. (2022). Epidemiology of chronic kidney disease: an update 2022. Kidney international supplements, 12(1), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kisu.2021.11.003

Kalantar-Zadeh, K., Jafar, T. H., Nitsch, D., Neuen, B. L., & Perkovic, V. (2021). Chronic kidney disease. The lancet, 398(10302), 786-802. https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(21)00519-5/abstract

Bajaj, A., Xie, D., Cedillo-Couvert, E., Charleston, J., Chen, J., Deo, R., ... & Townsend, R. R. (2019). Lipids, apolipoproteins, and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in persons with CKD. American journal of kidney diseases, 73(6), 827-836. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.11.010

Speer, T., Dimmeler, S., Schunk, S. J., Fliser, D., & Ridker, P. M. (2022). Targeting innate immunity-driven inflammation in CKD and cardiovascular disease. Nature Reviews Nephrology, 18(12), 762-778. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41581-022-00621-9

Zoccalli C and Mallamaci F. Innate Immunity System in Patients With Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease. Circ Res. 2023, 132(8):915-932. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.122.321749

Mazhar, F., Fu, E. L., Faucon, A. L., Hjemdahl, P., Mathisen, J., Muhammad, I. F., ... & Carrero, J. J. (2025). Systemic inflammation and the risks of adverse kidney outcomes in adults with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.ajkd.2025.04.011

In this week's episode we review Major Depressive Disorder, a common mental disorder affecting millions of Americans. We explore who this disorder affects, what happens in the brain and body, and what treatments are available. We also get into the psychadellic substance psilocybin (psylocin) and how this breakthrough therapy may help those with Major Depressive Disorder.

References:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. HHS Publication No. PEP19-5068, NSDUH Series H-54, 170, 51-58. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39443/2021NSDUHNNR122322/2021NSDUHNNR122322.htm#major

Marx, W., Penninx, B. W., Solmi, M., Furukawa, T. A., Firth, J., Carvalho, A. F., & Berk, M. (2023). Major depressive disorder. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 9(1), 44. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-023-00454-1

Daws, R. E., Timmermann, C., Giribaldi, B., Sexton, J. D., Wall, M. B., Erritzoe, D., ... & Carhart-Harris, R. (2022). Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression. Nature medicine, 28(4), 844-851.https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-01744-z

Ling, S., Ceban, F., Lui, L. M., Lee, Y., Teopiz, K. M., Rodrigues, N. B., ... & McIntyre, R. S. (2022). Molecular mechanisms of psilocybin and implications for the treatment of depression. CNS drugs, 36(1), 17-30. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40263-021-00877-y

Kuypers, K. P. (2020). The therapeutic potential of microdosing psychedelics in depression. Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology, 10, 2045125320950567. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2045125320950567

Metaxa, A. M., & Clarke, M. (2024). Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 385. https://www.bmj.com/content/385/bmj-2023-078084.abstract

In this week's episode, we explore the chronic inflammatory skin condition Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). With HS, hair follicles located in large skin creases like the armpits become inflamed and clogged. The units, called the pilosebaceous unit, fill with puss, rupture, and cause a host of problems for sufferers. We investigate what hidradenitis suppurativa is, who it affects, what goes wrong in the body, and what's being done about it.

References:
Schramm, E. & Bernhardt, M. (11 June, 2025). Modern Medicine is Transforming Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treatment. On MedEvidence! Truth Behind the Data. [Podcast]. https://medevidence.com/modern-medicine-is-transforming-hidradenitis-suppurativa-treatment

Ballard, K., & Shuman, V. (2024). Hidradenitis suppurativa. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534867/

Saunte, D. M. L., & Jemec, G. B. E. (2017). Hidradenitis suppurativa: advances in diagnosis and treatment. Jama, 318(20), 2019-2032. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2664466

Jemec, G. B. (2012). Hidradenitis suppurativa. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(2), 158-164. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1014163

Sabat, R., Alavi, A., Wolk, K., Wortsman, X., McGrath, B., Garg, A., & Szepietowski, J. C. (2025). Hidradenitis suppurativa. The Lancet, 405(10476), 420-438. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)02475-9/fulltext

In this episode we review what happens in dehydrtion, who may be at increased risk, and what happens to the body when it doesn't get enoug hwater. We also distinguish between two major types of dehydration; intracellular (without salt loss) and extracellular (with salt loss). Learn all about how this summer condition can lead to problems that feel as dangerous as being marooned on a desert isle!

References:

Cheuvront, S. N., & Kenefick, R. W. (2014). Dehydration: physiology, assessment, and performance effects. Comprehensive physiology, 4(1), 257-285. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/j.2040-4603.2014.tb00543.x

Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Panel on Dietary Reference Intakes for Electrolytes, & Water. (2005). Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. National Academies Press.

Puga, A. M., Lopez-Oliva, S., Trives, C., Partearroyo, T., & Varela-Moreiras, G. (2019). Effects of drugs and excipients on hydration status. Nutrients, 11(3), 669. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/3/669

Taylor, K., Tripathi, A. K., & Jones, E. B. (2025). Adult dehydration. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/