Cannabis and Psychedelics
As well as common medicinal plants, two topics I am particularly interested in include cannabis and psychedelics. The reason for this is because I am driven by healing, and time and time again the potential of these medicines has been shown.
Scientists have proclaimed that "psychedelics could do for psychiatry what antibiotics did for medicine". Never have the results of clinical investigation moved me so deeply, particularly when I have read about the recovery of people suffering with chronic depression. Depression is a problem that I am most impassioned by and so seeing the potential of psychedelic- assisted recovery gave me hope. I believe that is one of the most important things that medicine can give- hope.
The McKenna Academy
The McKenna Academy are an academy I greatly admire, as they are truly interdisciplinary and full of
integrity. In 2022 they held a historical conference- Ethnopharmacological Search for Psychoactive
Drugs 55 (ESPD55). It was a fascinating conference, where I had the tremendous privilege of meeting
luminaries, legends and visionaries within the field who have been embarking on this work since the
1960’s. From ethnobotanists, to shamans, anthropologists, lawyers and chemists this conference
shared research from thought leaders around the globe. The predominant discussions were on
centring indigenous voices, sustainability and reciprocity which are all values I hold dear, and which all movements need.
This conference is being turned into a book which I am the scientific and managing editor for. It has been an incredible experience so far, and I am proud to say I am now also an advisor for the academy.
Cannabis
Huntington’s is a debilitating condition with very limited treatment, though we hypothesise that cannabis could offer a solution. My colleagues Dr Shannah Marrinan and Jaydon Innott and I have written a review which is currently pending publication, outlining our theories behind this topic. We presented our poster “Phytocannabinoids for the treatment of Parkinson’s and Huntington’s Disease -Neurodegenerative conditions presenting hyperkinesia” at the Cannabinoid Conference 2022.
I have also written for the Cypriot Cannabis Association, Leafie and Herbal Reality. You can also read a “Thought Leaders” interview with Global Cannabis Intelligence here, where I shared my insights on plant medicines in relation to cannabis. I am always keen to do more research, education and activism in this space.