Episode #171 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Kristen Gilliland and Neuroplasticity

Episode 171 April 01, 2024 00:59:12
Episode #171 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Kristen Gilliland and Neuroplasticity
High Truths on Drugs and Addiction
Episode #171 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Dr. Kristen Gilliland and Neuroplasticity

Apr 01 2024 | 00:59:12

/

Show Notes

The brain in neuroplastic – it can be directed towards great achievement as well as disorders.  Marijuana can cause synaptic reprogramming of the brain. Learn more from Dr. Kristen Gilliland who is a scientist who watched her own son’s synaptic programming, cannabis use disorder, and tra

 

Kristen M. Gilliland, Ph.D.

Dr. Kristen Gilliland delivered a TEDx presentation titled Rewiring Revolution: Neuroplasticity’s Impact on Wellbeing in 2018.

She earned her Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She later served as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. During her professorship at Cal Poly, she taught Organic Chemistry, Neurochemistry, and the Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons.  After Kristen’s son was diagnosed with cannabis-induced schizophrenia at the age of 17, Kristen joined the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University (2018) to research new treatments for schizophrenia.  Tragically, Kristen lost her son to an accidental overdose in 2019 after his mental health severely declined and he became addicted to opioids and stimulants. Kristen then changed the trajectory of her life to utilize her scientific teaching, presentation, and research skills to educate adolescent-aged children and their parents on mental health challenges and how it can lead to substance use and/or substance use disorder. As the Director of Outreach and Advocacy Programs for the Warren Center, Kristen presents to middle schools, high schools, community centers, and recovery programs across Middle Tennessee. In addition, she has developed an award winning educational documentary aimed for middle school and high school-aged children titled Speaking Through Me which will be released Summer of 2023. The documentary and Kristen’s presentations focus on the developing teenage brain and neuroplasticity, the structural and functional changes that occur in the brain when under repeated stress and anxiety, the impacts of high potency cannabis on the adolescent brain, the neurobiology of addiction, and the dangers and prevalence of fentanyl.  Lastly, the documentary and presentations also include methods to combat everyday stressors or adversity and the importance of self-care and self-compassion on the developing adolescent brain.

Other Episodes

Episode 204

November 20, 2024 01:23:31
Episode Cover

204. Product testing of cannabis and other Drugs | Josh Swider

Dawn, a prevention specialist noticed brightly colored packing of mushroom products in a smoke shop near a school. She wanted to know what they...

Listen

Episode 198

October 07, 2024 00:55:56
Episode Cover

198. Marijuana legalization in Florida, the devil's in the details | Dr. Jessica Spencer

They devil is in the details, or lack of details when in comes to Amendment 3, Florida's ballot initiative on legalizing marijuana. When California...

Listen

Episode 167

March 04, 2024 01:15:06
Episode Cover

Episode #167 High Truths on Drugs and Addiction with Libby Jones and Drug Policy Advocacy

Libby Jones is the Program Director of Global Health Advocacy Incubator, GHAI’s Overdose Prevention Initiative. Libby leads the Initiative’s advocacy efforts, advancing federal policies...

Listen