Dr. Becker leads a conversation about marijuana and its myths. He explores the decades of research that he compiled in his book, Whoa Dude. We discuss common myths and important ideas when considering how to approach use, regardless if its in an abstinence or harm reduction model.

Guest:
Dr. Kevin G. Becker - Is a scientist and researcher. He received a Ph.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1989 in Molecular Biology and Genetics. He spent 30 years as a scientist in the Intramural Research Program of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. This included postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, Neurological Diseases and Stroke, and The National Human Genome Research Institute. He was a Staff Scientist at the National Institute on Aging for over 20 years. A majority of his work focused on gene expression and application in various areas. He is an author or co-author on over 300 peer reviewed scientific publications.

To learn more about Dr. Becker, please visit:
https://whoadude-the-book.com/
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2u0EaKMAAAAJ&hl=en

To explore references mentioned in todays conversation and Dr. Beckers Book, please visit:
https://whoadude-the-book.com/references/

Please note the time stamps for podcast content:
14:00 - Models for Substance Use
6:50 - Marijuana Is Stronger Now
15:30 - Gateway Hypothesis for Marijuana
19:50 - Common Myths of Marijuana
23:20 - Is Marijuana Addictive?
29:30 - Industrialization of Marijuana and it's Concentration
34:20 - Critical Thinking Around Usage
35:50 - Impact of Marijuana on the Brain
41:30 - Strategies - Trusting Your Gut
46:00 - Deciphering Research on Marijuana
48:20 - Strategies - Courage / Making Decisions for Yourself
48:20 - Parent Strategies - Open Communication
51:50 - Parent Strategies - Thought on Encouraging Non-Use
59:30 - Wellness Strategy - Exercise

Special thanks to musical artists:
Psalm Trees: https://psalmtreesbeats.bandcamp.com/
ohricky: https://ohrickybeats.bandcamp.com/

To provide suggestions for new topics in future episodes, visit:
present-mind.org/podcast