The Body's Secret Weapon: An ER Doctor on the Endocannabinoid System and Why Cannabis is Real Medicine

The Body's Secret Weapon: An ER Doctor on the Endocannabinoid System and Why Cannabis is Real Medicine

From HIT Like a Girl Pod: Empowering Women in Health IT by Like a Girl Media

October 21, 2025 · 29 min

About this episode

Dr. Leigh Vinocur discusses the endocannabinoid system and its implications for cannabis as medicine.

What if we’ve been missing a fundamental piece of human biology? Dr. Leigh Vinocur, one of the first physicians with a master’s in Cannabis Science, pulls back the curtain on the endocannabinoid system — the "bliss molecule" network that regulates everything from pain to stress. She reveals why this science is ignored in medical schools, how it could have helped her own mother, and why "stress triage" is the key to survival in healthcare. In this eye-opening episode of HIT Like A Girl, guest host Dana Trampas, MPH, sits down with Dr. Leigh Vinocur, an emergency physician, author, and a pioneer in medical cannabis. Recorded live at the Power of Women in Medicine Summit, Dr. Vinocur dismantles decades of stigma, explaining how plant-based medicine interacts with our bodies on a cellular level and offers a revolutionary approach to managing chronic conditions. Dr. Vinocur shares: The Science We Weren't Taught: The surprising discovery of the endocannabinoid system—a network of receptors found in all animals with nerves—and why it’s crucial for homeostasis. From "Gateway Drug" to Life-Changing Medicine: Her personal journey from a traditional ER doctor to a cannabis expert, fueled by…

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Leigh Vinocur

Topics covered

  • endocannabinoid system
  • cannabis medicine
  • chronic conditions
  • healthcare
  • pain management
  • stress management

Keywords

  • cannabis science
  • medical cannabis
  • homeostasis
  • chronic pain
  • stress triage

Mentioned in this episode

Products: synthetic THC pill

Books & works: HIT Like A Girl, Never Let Them See You Sweat, Ask Dr. Leigh

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