
Cannabis and Traumatic Brain Injuries with guest Nikki Lawley
From BIOACTIVE by Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.
March 20, 2026 · 60 min
About this episode
Dr. Riley Kirk and Nikki Lawley discuss the role of medical cannabis in managing traumatic brain injury and the challenges faced in traditional healthcare systems.
Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Nikki Lawley to the podcast to discuss the transformative role of medical cannabis in managing traumatic brain injury (TBI), sharing her powerful personal journey alongside practical insights into cannabis as medicine. They cover topics such as the immediate and long-term symptoms of TBI, the challenges of navigating traditional healthcare systems, and the limitations of pharmaceutical treatments. Additionally, they explore how cannabis became a turning point in Nikki’s recovery, the barriers to access in the United States, and the stigma patients face when seeking alternative therapies. The discussion emphasizes patient-centered care, the importance of advocacy, and the growing role of cannabis in treating neurological conditions. They also delve into various aspects of cannabis science and personalized medicine, including cannabinoid therapy, terpene profiles, and the use of data tracking tools like Strainprint to optimize treatment outcomes. They discuss the significance of consistency in dosing, the effects of aged cannabis and CBN, and the role of terpene boiling points in consumption methods. The conversation further explores different delivery…
People in this episode
Host: Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.
Guest: Nikki Lawley
Topics covered
- medical cannabis
- traumatic brain injury
- patient advocacy
- cannabis science
- neurological conditions
- alternative therapies
Keywords
- cannabis
- TBI
- patient-centered care
- cannabinoid therapy
- terpene profiles
- healthcare systems
- pharmaceutical treatments
- cannabis policy
- storytelling
- access
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Strainprint
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