The Canna Curious Podcast: Conversations on Cannabis, Wellness & Women’s Health

48 - When Pain Starts at 13: Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia & Fighting to Be Heard with Grace Ker.

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with Grace Ker to explore her deeply personal journey with endometriosis and fibromyalgia, a story that began at just 13 years old and unfolded into years of chronic pain, medical intervention, and self-advocacy.

Grace shares what it was like to:

Be dismissed in early medical appointments
Navigate multiple treatments, including hormonal therapies and surgery
Enter medical menopause as a teenager
Experience chronic, debilitating pain that conventional treatments couldn’t resolve
Later develop fibromyalgia following burnout and physical stress

The conversation also explores how alternative approaches including Chinese medicine and plant-based therapies played a role in symptom management, and how Grace learned to trust her intuition in a system that often didn’t listen.

This episode is as much about emotional resilience as it is about physical health — touching on identity loss, grief, and what it means to rebuild your life when your body changes.

Key Topics

Early onset endometriosis and symptom dismissal
Chronic pain and the limits of conventional treatment
Medical menopause in adolescence
Fibromyalgia onset and full-body pain
Opioids vs alternative approaches
The role of the nervous system in pain perception
Plant-based medicine and symptom regulation
Self-advocacy in healthcare
Grief, identity, and chronic illness
The importance of education and body literacy

🌿 Resources & Links

Grace Ker on Instagram: @spencergreen
Recommended Chinese Medicine Practitioner: Richard Best, Chinese Medicine House of Natural Health Hendra
Support the podcast: Buy me a coffee!

From Kyla

This episode really stayed with me.

There’s something about hearing a story like Grace’s that reminds you how many women are navigating pain quietly… and how often they’re told it’s normal.

It’s not.

And conversations like this are how we start changing that.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

Disclaimer:
We are not doctors, and this is not medical advice. Everything shared here is based on our personal lived experiences and the stories of others. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.

47 - I’m Tired of How We Talk About Cannabis with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +1000

Somewhere along the way, the conversation around cannabis got… distorted.

Depending on who you listen to, it’s either: dangerous and life-ruining or a cure for everything.

And neither of those are helpful.

In this episode, I unpack the gap between those extremes and why so many people are still confused, even with more access, more products, and more information than ever before.

Because the issue isn’t the plant. Maybe its body autonomy and intention.

What I cover:

Why cannabis is still misunderstood (just in a different way)
The shift from fear → hype (and why both miss the point)
The role of context: nervous system, stress, environment
Why people think they’re “doing it wrong”
The gap between clinical messaging and real-life use
Why more information hasn’t led to better outcomes

Journaling + tracking

A beautiful journal for handwriting and keeping with your stash https://www.rubymarybotanicals.com.au/products/cycles-journal

Australian designed and decentralised - Online app tracking with @ontrackaapp

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

46 - Hemp as Fuel - Why Aren’t We Using It? With Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +1000

This week, we explore a question that seems simple… but isn’t:

If hemp can be used as fuel then why aren’t we using it? Particularly during this very planned war and outage of oil with far reaching implications.

In this episode, I break down:

The history of hemp as an industrial crop
Henry Ford’s plant-based car and early biofuel exploration
What hemp fuel actually is (biodiesel + ethanol)
Whether it really works — and where it falls short
Why it didn’t scale (policy, infrastructure, economics)
Where hemp fits in today’s energy conversation
And the bigger question: how systems decide what gets adopted… and what gets left behind

References & Further Reading

USDA Hemp for Victory archive
https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/IND43843001/PDF
Hemp biomass & biofuel potential (Bioresource Technology)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096085241830306X
Industrial hemp for energy (Energies journal)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/21/5810
Bioenergy crop comparison review
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032118304983
Hemp and phytoremediation (Frontiers in Plant Science)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2020.00359/full

For more on Australia's Oil production, petrol etc and who is and isn't paying tax follow @punterspolitics on instagram

If you’re enjoying the podcast and want to support these conversations, you can do so here:

Buy Me a Coffee

If this episode made you think differently, send it to someone who still thinks this plant is one-dimensional.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

45 - Cannabis Research: The Story We Were Never Told with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +1000

Cannabis research often feels confusing.

One study says the plant may help with pain, sleep or inflammation. The next headline warns about risk.

So what’s really going on?

In this episode of Canna Curious, I unpack why cannabis science has been so difficult to interpret for the past 70 years.

From the Nixon-era report that recommended decriminalisation but was ignored… to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system by Raphael Mechoulam… to modern case studies in epilepsy, endometriosis and chronic pain.

I also explore how research bias, funding incentives and media headlines can shape the way cannabis science is interpreted.

Most importantly, I look at how to read cannabis research with a more critical and curious eye.

Because the science around this plant is still evolving.

And in many ways, the most important questions are only just beginning to be asked.

In this episode we discuss

• The 1972 Shafer Commission and the research that was ignored
• Raphael Mechoulam and the discovery of THC and the endocannabinoid system
• Why cannabis was placed in Schedule I and how that shaped research
• How media headlines can misrepresent cannabis studies
• Case studies in epilepsy, endometriosis and chronic pain
• Practical tips for how to read cannabis research

Support the podcast

If you enjoy the podcast and would like to support the research and production that goes into each episode, you can buy me a coffee via the link in the show notes.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

44 - Everyone Is Just Trying to Cope: A Psychiatric Nurse’s Story with Megan Simpson.

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with psychiatric nurse Megan Simpson for an honest and deeply human conversation about mental health, stigma, and healing.

Megan has spent years working on the front lines of psychiatric care, supporting people through crisis, trauma, and severe mental illness. But behind that professional role was also a personal story — one that includes burnout, PTSD, and navigating her own path toward recovery.

Together, Kyla and Megan explore what happens when the people caring for others also need support themselves.

This conversation covers:

The realities of working in psychiatric nursing
Trauma and burnout in healthcare workers
How alcohol is often normalized as a coping mechanism
The stigma surrounding substance use and mental health
Why understanding the root cause of coping behaviours matters
The importance of community, connection, and compassionate care
Throughout the conversation Megan reflects on what helped her rebuild her life and how her experiences now shape the way she supports patients.

This episode is raw, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful.

Content Note / Harm Reduction

This episode includes discussion of:

PTSD and mental health challenges
Alcohol use and coping mechanisms
Suicide and suicidal ideation

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.

Australia support services

Lifeline — 13 11 14
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention
https://www.lifeline.org.au

Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
Mental health information and support
https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

If you are in immediate danger, please contact 000.

Disclaimer

The information shared in this episode is for education and discussion purposes only and does not replace advice from a qualified medical professional.

Experiences shared by guests reflect their personal perspectives and may not apply to everyone.

If you are experiencing mental health difficulties, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

43 - Two Rooms, One Industry with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +1000

This week on Canna Curious, I’m reflecting on 48 hours that revealed the tension inside Australia’s medicinal cannabis space.

From hosting a candlelit launch centred on women, story and nervous system safety…to having a thoughtful dinner conversation with Professor Kylie O’Brien about the TGA and AHPRA review…to walking the floor at UIC 2026 - one of the country’s major industry conferences.

On paper, the conference program was rigorous and impressive, with respected clinicians and researchers presenting on addiction, hormones, endometriosis, regulatory frameworks and real-world data. Speakers like Justin Sinclair, Dedi Meiri and Dr Shabnam Sarshar are doing important, evidence-based work.

And yet, walking through the exhibitor hall, I kept asking one question:

Where were the patients?

This episode explores the shift from movement to marketplace, the evolution of the industry over the past decade, and why lived experience still matters in rooms where regulation, research and commerce intersect.

This isn’t a takedown. It’s a reflection on growth, memory, and the importance of keeping care at the centre.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

42 - From Parliament to Plant Medicine: Bee Mohamed on Advocacy, Integrity & Reform.

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Kyla sits down with Bee Mohamed for a deep, behind-the-scenes conversation on health policy, patient advocacy, and the realities of building change inside broken systems.

Bee shares her journey from working in Parliament House under the Minister for Women, to frontline advocacy work during the rise of prescription medication dependency and overdose, to entering the medicinal cannabis sector with a simple hope: access, affordability, and human rights for patients.

Together, Kyla and Bee unpack the difference between “advocacy” as branding versus advocacy as lived experience, why harm reduction conversations can be uncomfortable (but essential), and what brave leadership looks like when profit pressures collide with patient care.

This episode touches on heavy topics including female genital mutilation (FGM) and medication-related deaths with care, context, and a strong focus on how change actually happens.

Content Note

This episode includes discussion of:

Female genital mutilation (FGM)
Prescription medication dependency, overdose, and death

Please take care while listening.

What We Cover

What it’s like to witness “political will” actually create change
The rise of prescription dependency: opioids, benzodiazepines, and polypharmacy
Why reforms like real-time prescription monitoring matter (and what they can/can’t fix)
How Bee entered medicinal cannabis — and what she hoped would be different
The ongoing barriers for patients: access, affordability, stigma, and driving laws
Why roadside drug testing debates often miss the point (presence vs impairment)
What “patient advocacy” really looks like in practice
The tension between values and commercial structures — and how misalignment shows up in the body
Can harm reduction exist inside a commercial model?
“Corporate cannabis” and the missed opportunity to build true patient education
Grief, integrity, and the moment you realise you can’t self-compromise anymore
Bee’s definition of brave leadership: remembering why the industry exists at all

Links & Resources

Bee Mohamed: @mata_gathering
Harm Reduction Australia: Harm Reduction
Drive Change campaign (drug driving reform): https://www.drivechangemc.org.au/tag/drug-driving/
SafeScript / real-time prescription monitoring (Vic): [link]

If this episode hit something in you send it to a friend who’s tired of “just coping.”

And if you’re a clinic, brand, or organisation in this space: come talk to us. Harm reduction doesn’t have to be scary. Patient safety is not optional.

Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review,

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

41 - They Burned the Women, Not the Wisdom with Melanie Wentzel.

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 +1000

A History of Women in Cannabis - with Melanie Wentzel

Before prohibition.
Before pharma.
Before THC percentages became a marketing strategy.

Cannabis lived in women’s hands.

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla is joined by healthcare strategist, bestselling author of Cannabis Queens, and women’s health advocate Melanie Wentzel to trace the history of cannabis through a female lens.

Together, they travel back through:

Ancient China and early medical pharmacopoeias
Ancient Egypt and recorded cannabis suppositories for period pain
Medieval Europe and Hildegard von Bingen’s writings on hemp
The witch trials and the destruction of women’s medical knowledge

This is a lineage story.

It’s about remembering that women were clinicians long before we were allowed degrees. That tending plants, tending bodies, and tending community were never separate practices. And that the knowledge of this plant survived — even when the women who carried it were persecuted.

If you’ve ever felt like the modern cannabis conversation is missing something this episode explains why.

There is a golden thread running through history.

And we are still holding it.

In This Episode We Discuss

• Cannabis in ancient medical texts
• Women as early healers and apothecaries
• Suppositories and formulations used in Ancient Egypt
• Spiritual and ritual uses of cannabis across cultures
• Why high THC is a very modern obsession
• The erasure and survival of women’s plant knowledge

Resources Mentioned

Cannabis Queens by Melanie Wentzel
Historical references to Hildegard von Bingen
Papyrus Ebers (Ancient Egyptian medical text)

If this episode resonated, share it with a woman who needs reminding that this story didn’t begin yesterday.

And if you’re loving these deeper dives, subscribe, rate, and leave a review - it helps more women find this conversation.

Let’s keep tracing the thread.

You can find Mel @h.i_m.e.l__

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

40 - Balance, Boundaries & Are Gummies Really Medicine? with Jess Peros.

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Kyla is joined by her friend Jess for a wide-ranging, honest conversation that starts with balance - and quickly reveals how complicated that word really is.

What does balance actually look like for women today? How do nervous systems stay regulated in a world of constant immediacy, technology, and responsibility? And where does the plant fit into that picture when used intentionally - not as an override, but as a support?

From there, the conversation turns to a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant in Australia: gummies as medicine. As edible formats become more popular, Kyla and Jess unpack the questions that aren’t being asked loudly enough - around safety, formulation, harm reduction, and whether all “medical” formats truly support health.

This episode isn’t about telling you what to think. It’s about slowing down, zooming out, and asking better questions.

In this episode, we discuss:

What “balance” actually means for women - and why juggling everything isn’t the same as being well
The impact of technology, immediacy, and accessibility on the nervous system
Boundaries as a form of balance (especially with phones, work, and availability)
How intentional cannabis use can create pause, presence, and space
Why balanced THC:CBD products can be a powerful starting point - and often an ongoing tool
The role of hormones, perimenopause, and changing cannabinoid needs over time
CBD flower, balanced flower, and why “stronger” isn’t always better
The rise of gummies in the medical market - and the risks that come with lolly-like formats
Sugar, distillate vs rosin, and how formulation matters more than people realise
Why some people feel low or flat after certain gummies
Child safety, packaging gaps, and real harm-reduction conversations
Whether gummies should be considered medicine - or something else entirely
Why anecdotal experience still matters in emerging health spaces
The importance of asking better questions of prescribers and products

We also introduce a new recurring segment:

“What has weed taught us this month?”
A reflective check-in on lessons, friction, community dynamics, and what the plant continues to reveal not just biologically, but culturally and personally.

💬 Join the conversation:
Kyla and Jess invite you to send through questions, experiences, or topics you’d like them to unpack in future episodes. Debate is welcome. Curiosity is encouraged.

You can find Jess @jessica.inherbloom

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

39 - Alethea Wallace: When The System Takes Someone You Love.

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla is joined by her close friend Sandrine for a deeply personal and emotional conversation about their friend Alethea (Leath) — who has been incarcerated for cannabis-related charges for just over a year.

This is not a legal analysis or a political debate. It’s a human conversation about friendship, shock, grief, love, anger, and the quiet resilience required when someone you love is caught in a system most of us never expect to encounter.

Leath cannot speak freely on the podcast right now, but when she is released later this year, she will be invited on to the podcast to share her story in her own words.

Until then, this episode holds space for her, and for all the people left on the outside trying to make sense of the inside.

In this episode, we talk about:

Who Alethea is beyond her sentence — her heart, warmth, and devotion to community
The shock of finding out a close friend is in prison
How little most of us understand the justice system until we’re inside it
What contact with someone in prison actually looks like (calls, visits, letters, costs)
The emotional toll of limited access and constant uncertainty
The strange mix of powerlessness, guilt, and love felt by friends on the outside
Self-censorship, stigma, and why people struggle to talk about incarceration
The realities of prison healthcare, communication, and overcrowding
Learning to live inside constraints you didn’t choose
Holding hope for release, parole, and life on the other side

A note to listeners

This conversation may be emotional to listen to. We speak candidly about incarceration, systemic injustice, and the personal impact of these systems on real people. Listener discretion is advised.

We’ve been careful not to share details that could compromise Alethea or anyone else. This episode is shared with love, respect, and care.

Want to support Alethea?

If you feel called, Alethea loves receiving letters - they bring her enormous joy and help her feel connected to the outside world.

📬 Mailing details:
Alethea’s public mailing address and prisoner number are listed below

Alethea Wallace

Numimbah Correctional Centre

Private Mail Bag 1

Nerang QLD 4211

(Please keep letters simple: no stickers, metallic ink, or extras - plain paper and pen are best.)

If you’d like to send a message of support but aren’t sure where to start, reach out to Kyla via socials and she’ll help guide you.

You can find Sandrine @marquisedesark

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

38 - I’m Not Interested in Being “Responsible” Anymore with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, ’m unpacking why I’ve started to push back on the idea of “responsible use” — at least the way it’s so often applied to women.

Because when we really look at it, “responsible” rarely means neutral or supportive.It usually means self-monitoring, self-correcting, and self-blaming — layered on top of bodies that are already expected to manage pain, emotion, cycles, stress, and capacity without much support.

This conversation isn’t about encouraging recklessness.
It’s about questioning why women are so often asked to carry extra moral weight when it comes to their bodies and why cannabis has become another place where we’re expected to prove we’re doing it properly.

In this episode, I explore:

How “responsibility” has become a gendered expectation
Why women are taught caution while men are given permission to experiment
The emotional cost of constant self-surveillance
How self-monitoring disconnects us from pleasure, rest, and trust
Where this messaging comes from — medicine, regulation, and wellness culture
The difference between compliance and agency
Why I’m more interested in discernment than rules

This is a quieter but firmer episode.
Less about advice.
More about power, agency, and what it means to be in relationship with your body without supervision.

If this episode feels uncomfortable, that’s okay.
And if it feels relieving — you’re not alone.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

37 - Tolerance, Breaks & the Nervous System with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:00:00 +1000

Do I Need a T-Break?

Tolerance breaks are usually framed like a punishment.
Like you’ve done something wrong.
Like you need to reset, detox, or start again.

But for many women, that framing doesn’t fit real life - or real bodies.

In this episode, Kyla takes a slower, more body-led look at tolerance breaks and what they’re actually for. This isn’t about abstinence or discipline. It’s about understanding when a break is helpful, when it’s not, and how to approach it without destabilising your nervous system — especially if you’re navigating perimenopause, pain, sleep disruption, anxiety, or chronic stress.

In this episode, we cover:

What cannabis tolerance actually is (and what it isn’t)
Why tolerance isn’t failure — it’s feedback from the body
Signs your system may be asking for space
How pain, trauma, and nervous system load change the T-break conversation
Why stopping THC suddenly can feel awful for some people
Different ways to take a tolerance break — from full breaks to gentler resets
Whether CBD has a place during a T-break (and when it helps vs. when it doesn’t)
What a successful T-break actually looks like — beyond white-knuckling

This episode draws on both clinical research and lived experience to offer a more compassionate, realistic approach to tolerance one that prioritises regulation, safety, and relationship over rigid rules.

A gentle resource

If this episode sparked the thought “I know I need a break, but I don’t know how to do it without falling apart”, Kyla has created a 21-day tolerance break guide you can download it here

Support the show

If you’d like to support the podcast, you can buy Kyla a coffee here No pressure - it simply helps keep these conversations going.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

36 - Nobody Told Us Cannabis Would Feel Different in Perimenopause with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +1000

Women, Hormones & Cannabis: Why Your Body Changes How the Plant Feels.

In this episode, we explore why so many women notice that cannabis feels different depending on where they are in their cycle, throughout perimenopause, or during periods of stress and hormonal change.

We unpack what’s actually happening in the body, why this experience is common (and normal), and how women can work with their changing physiology instead of blaming themselves or assuming something has gone wrong.

This episode builds on last week’s conversation about the endocannabinoid system and brings the focus specifically to women, hormones, and lived experience.

In this episode, we cover:

Why cannabis can work beautifully one month and feel overwhelming the next
How the endocannabinoid system interacts with estrogen and progesterone
Why midlife women notice these changes more clearly
The difference between microdosing as restriction versus microdosing as body literacy
Why timing and nervous system state matter more than strain names
Practical ways women can adjust their approach during hormonally sensitive times

Key ideas discussed

The endocannabinoid system plays a central role in regulating mood, pain, sleep, inflammation, and stress
Estrogen has been shown to influence cannabinoid receptor sensitivity, particularly CB1 receptors
Hormonal fluctuation, rather than hormone loss, is a major factor in why experiences change during perimenopause
Women often experience stronger subjective effects from THC at lower doses compared to men
Cannabis tends to amplify the existing state of the nervous system rather than override it
Learning to work with context, timing, and subtle dosing can make cannabis feel more supportive and less destabilising

Support the show
Canna Curious is produced independently. If you’d like to support the podcast, you can Buy me a coffee

Share this episode
If this conversation might help someone you love — a friend, a partner, a patient feel free to pass it on.

Thank you for listening, and for being part of this community.

Research and further reading

Cannabis, estrogen, and the endocannabinoid system

The Endocannabinoid System and Sex Steroid Hormone Signalling
A comprehensive review exploring how estrogen and progesterone interact with endocannabinoid signalling pathways.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3863507/

Sex Differences and the Endocannabinoid System
A review outlining biological sex differences in cannabinoid metabolism, receptor expression, and subjective effects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8216879/

Estradiol Regulation of Endocannabino

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

35 - What’s Actually Happening in Your Body When You Take Cannabis with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla slows things right down and returns to the foundations.

Before conversations about strain names, dosing, or delivery methods before stigma, shame, or opinion this episode asks a simpler question:

What is actually happening inside your body when you take cannabis?

This episode is for patients.

For women who turn to this plant not to escape their lives - but to cope with pain, stress, hormonal change, burnout, grief, or nervous system overload.

At the centre of this conversation is the endocannabinoid system (ECS) a regulatory system that exists in all of us, whether we ever take cannabis or not.

In this episode, Kyla explores:

What the endocannabinoid system is - and why it’s not a “weed system,” but a core biological regulator
How the ECS was identified in the 1990s through cannabinoid research by scientists including Ally Howlett and Raphael Mechoulam
The three key components of the ECS: receptors, endocannabinoids, and enzymes
The roles of CB1 and CB2 receptors, and how THC and CBD interact with them differently
Why your body makes its own cannabinoids — and even passes them through breast milk
Why relief from cannabis looks different for everyone, and why variability is expected - not failure
How hormones, stress, nervous system state, and life stage (including perimenopause) influence response
The difference between regulation and escape, and why many women use cannabis to stay present not numb
Why dosing can feel unpredictable, and why curiosity works better than rigid rules
How one-size-fits-all advice often creates shame and what a body-literate approach offers instead

Support the show
Canna Curious is produced independently. If you’d like to support the podcast, you can Buy me a coffee

Resources & Further Reading

Understanding the Endocannabinoid System

These sources support the explanation of the endocannabinoid system as a regulatory system involved in balance, pain, mood, sleep, inflammation, and stress:

Di Marzo V, Piscitelli F. (2015). The endocannabinoid system and its modulation by phytocannabinoids.Neurotherapeutics, 12(4), 692–698.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-015-0376-6
Lu HC, Mackie K. (2016). An introduction to the endogenous cannabinoid system. Biological Psychiatry, 79(7), 516–525.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006322315002127
Pertwee RG. (2015). Endocannabinoids and their pharmacological actions. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, 231, 1–37.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

34 - When Women Stop Whispering with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +1000

As the year draws to a close, Kyla pauses - not to summarise, but to sit inside what this season of listening has actually revealed.

Recorded from Melbourne, in a softer and more honest state than usual, this solo episode reflects on thirty-three conversations about women’s health, relief, regulation, and the quiet ways women learn to manage their bodies inside imperfect systems.

At the centre of the episode is a question Kyla has been carrying since the very beginning of the podcast:

What actually happens when women stop whispering about medicine?

This is not an episode about trends, tips, or solutions.

It’s about:

why women whisper in the first place
how shame still shapes the way relief is accessed and talked about
what Kyla has noticed listening to women across diagnoses, ages, and lives

Throughout the episode, Kyla speaks candidly about:

whispering as a learned survival strategy
and the steadiness she witnessed when women were given language, curiosity, and trust

Rather than positioning the plant as a fix, this episode explores what cannabis use revealed:
the gaps in care, the lack of education, and the unmet needs women have been navigating for years.

This conversation is for anyone who has:

softened their language to be taken seriously
questioned whether their relief was “allowed”
carried shame alongside something that helped
or felt like they had to work it out on their own

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

33 - How to Choose a Good Medicinal Cannabis Clinic (and Avoid the Red Flags) with Kyla de Clifford and Jess Peros.

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +1000

What does a good medicinal cannabis clinic actually look like in Australia - and how do you spot the ones that should make you pause?

This episode was sparked by a moment many of us have had lately: seeing cannabis clinic advertising out in the wild that feels… off.

Kyla shares a story about walking down the street with her 11-year-old when they spotted a very obvious (and very questionable) clinic poster - which opened a bigger conversation about regulation, ethics, patient care, and how clinics should actually be operating.

Together, Kyla and Jess unpack what’s going wrong in the current clinic landscape, why patients are feeling frustrated and disempowered, and what you are absolutely allowed to ask for as a patient.

In this episode, we cover:

Why medicinal cannabis clinics are not allowed to advertise the way many currently are - and why that matters for stigma, regulation, and long-term access
The biggest red flags to watch for when choosing a clinic
What patient-centred care actually looks like (and what it doesn’t)
Vertical integration, profit margins, and why some clinics push certain products
Your legal right to access your own scripts and choose your pharmacy
Why informed patients should be welcomed — not shut down — for doing their research
The growing frustration around discontinued products and limited prescribing
Why minor cannabinoids like CBG and THCV deserve more attention (especially for women)
How the system is heading toward a collision — and what needs to change next

Clinics Kyla trusts and recommends:

PlantMed with Dr John Teh - a genuinely integrative, whole-person approach https://plantmed.net.au/

Mode Health with Dr Matty Moore - collaborative care, tele-health, and strong clinical ethics https://www.modehealthcare.com.au/

Kyla recommends these clinics based on her personal experience as a patient. There is no paid partnership or financial incentive involved.

Key takeaways:

You are allowed to ask questions - and a good clinic expects you to
You should never feel rushed, dismissed, or funnelled into one product pathway
If something feels off, it probably is
The future of cannabis care isn’t stronger it’s smarter, more nuanced, and more patient-led

This episode is for patients, parents, clinicians, and anyone trying to navigate medicinal cannabis in Australia without getting burned along the way.

Resources mentioned:

TGA advertising guidelines for medicinal cannabis
APRA regulations around prescribing and promotion

You can find jess @

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

32 - Dependence, Insomnia & Letting Go: Shaye’s Story of Rebuilding Her Relationship With Cannabis.

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this deeply honest conversation, Kyla sits down with Shaye Topaz a mum, insomniac, and long-time cannabis consumer to explore what happens when the plant that helped you cope becomes something you rely on.

Shay shares her 12-year relationship with THC, from rolling joints at 18 for sleep, to mothering through stress, heartbreak, and survival… all the way to the moment she realised she was dependent, not addicted, and decided it was time for a reset.

This episode moves through insomnia, nervous system overwhelm, motherhood, emotional regulation, and the spiritual side of cannabis including the comfort, companionship, and “being held” feeling so many women relate to.

In this episode, we explore:

Why cannabis is such a powerful tool for sleep, stress, and emotional soothing
How motherhood, overwhelm and loneliness influence cannabis use
What it’s like to quit after more than a decade of nightly THC
The emotional and physical symptoms of a tolerance break
Appetite, metabolism, cortisol spikes, and night waking during withdrawal
Using CBD, magnesium, adaptogens and supplements to support the nervous system
Breaking the ritual: shifting from smoking to tinctures
The spiritual and relational experience of cannabis as a “holder”
How to know when you’re ready to take a break — and why readiness matters
Creating new rituals, boundaries, and habits during a cannabis reset

About Shaye

Shaye is a mother of two navigating single parenthood, chronic insomnia, emotional healing, and a long-term relationship with cannabis. Her story reflects the reality for many women who use THC for sleep, coping, and nervous system support. Her honesty and introspection make this a powerful conversation for anyone reconsidering their relationship with the plant.

You can find Shaye @shayetopaz

Resources & Links

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

31 - How to Talk To Your Kids About Cannabis with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we get real about something most parents are quietly struggling with: how to talk to kids and teens about cannabis in a world where edibles, vapes and oils are everywhere and often invisible.

Kids today are exposed earlier, more frequently, and in more confusing ways than ever before. Gummies look like lollies. Wellness-style bottles sit on shelves. TikTok jokes about edibles have millions of views. Whether you use cannabis, avoid it entirely, or sit somewhere in between, the conversation is coming and avoidance doesn’t keep kids safe.

This week, Kyla breaks down how to approach these conversations with calm, honesty and connection, instead of the outdated “drugs are bad” scripts many of us grew up with.

We explore:

• The rise in paediatric cannabis poisonings — including the NSW study showing nearly 3,800 cases in a decade, with toddlers and teens most affected.

• Why edibles have changed the landscape

• The gap between modern cannabis use and the conversations parents are not having.

• How today’s cannabis (concentrates, vapes, gummies) is completely different from the 90s weed many parents remember.

• Why kids are not staying innocent by staying uninformed they’re just staying unprepared.

• Harm reduction basics for families, from dosing to green-outs to mixing substances.

• How to frame your own cannabis use with responsibility, nuance and clarity.

• Exactly what to say to younger kids vs. teens, including simple scripts you can start using today.

• How to respond if your teen admits they’ve already tried cannabis — without shame or panic.

• Why warmth + honesty + boundaries remains the most protective parenting combination we have.

This episode is your toolkit for building trust instead of fear, clarity instead of shame, and ongoing conversations instead of one big dreaded “talk.”

Curiosity is not dangerous; it’s developmental. What matters is that they learn with us, not away from us.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with another parent or caregiver - and leave a review to help this work reach more curious households.

Resources

Cannabis poisonings in Australia following the legalisation of medicinal cannabis, 2014-24: analysis of NSW Poisons Information Centre data

Cannabis poisonings among children increasing

How to talk to your kids about cannabis (PDF Downloadable resource)

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

30 - Living With a ‘One in a Million’ Cancer: Alli’s Story of Surgery, Healing & Self-Trust.

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with Alli Bannister, a mother, nurse practitioner, and survivor of an exceptionally rare form of appendix cancer. One so uncommon it affects only one in a million people.

What began as unexplained pain, bloating and digestive changes quickly escalated into emergency surgery, a Christmas Day hospitalisation, and the devastating discovery that cancer had spread across nearly all of Alli’s abdominal organs. Within days, she was facing a radical treatment plan involving organ removal, aggressive surgery and hot chemotherapy. But Alli made a courageous choice to pause.

This conversation explores what happens when someone refuses to rush their healing, chooses to listen to their body, and claims agency in a system driven by urgency and fear. Alli shares her decision to seek integrative treatment in Thailand, her experience with medical cannabis for pain and anxiety, the role of meditation and trauma healing, and how mindset became just as critical as medicine.

In this episode, we explore:

The early signs of Alli’s rare appendix cancer and why her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed
The moment she received her diagnosis and how it reshaped her identity
The emotional and physical impact of emergency surgery and radical organ removal
Why Alli chose to pause instead of rushing into life-altering treatment
The role of integrative and alternative therapies in her healing journey
How CBD and THC supported her pain management, anxiety and sense of calm
The mind-body connection and the importance of meditation during trauma
Financial realities of alternative cancer treatment and systemic limitations
Reclaiming agency within the medical system
How healing trauma and emotional release became part of survival
Alli’s mission to support others walking a similar path

If you want to know more about Alli or the power of hydrogen water you can find Alli here IG @alli.healingontheroad

Email: alli@allihealingontheroad.com

Radical Remission by Kelly A Turner

Quantam Healing by Deepak Chopra

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

29 - Growing Up With Chronic Pain & Stigma: Kaylee’s Story of Coping & Self - Advocacy.

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +1000

This week on the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla sits down with Kaylee, a young woman whose journey with her body, identity, and the plant is as complex as it is courageous.

From navigating early puberty and intense body-image scrutiny, to experiencing schoolyard bullying and being dismissed by the medical system, Kaylee’s story shines a light on what it feels like to grow up “different” and how the plant became a source of relief, regulation, and finally, self-agency.

Together, we explore:

Early puberty and the impact it had on her sense of self
The pain, stigma, and isolation she faced as a teenager
How misunderstanding and medical minimisation shaped her early experiences of health
Discovering cannabis not as escape, but as grounding
Reaction to the COVID vaccination
How workplace policies still fail medicinal cannabis patients
Stigma, double standards, and being a woman who uses the plant
Learning to advocate for her own health, safety, and wellbeing
Building community and documenting her story on @4beanzy

This is an honest, nuanced conversation about growing up, reclaiming your voice, and refusing to shrink yourself to make others comfortable.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, judged, or misunderstood in your relationship with your body or your medicine this episode is for you.

Where to find Kaylee

Instagram: @4beanzy

Support Services

Because we discuss themes of bullying, emotional distress, medical gaslighting, and workplace discrimination, please reach out if you need support:

Australia

Lifeline — 13 11 14
Beyond Blue — 1300 22 4636
1800 RESPECT (Family & sexual violence support) — 1800 737 732
Kids Helpline (for young people 5–25) — 1800 55 1800

If you’re outside Australia, please check local resources or national crisis hotlines.

What is BPD - Borderline personality disorder https://www.sane.org/information-and-resources/facts-and-guides/borderline-personality-disorder

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

28 - Irena Katz: The Naturopath Who Used CBD To Heal Her Dogs Leg.

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, Kyla sits down with Irena Katz - naturopath, educator, and pioneer of Australia’s herbal vape industry. From opening one of the first hydro stores in the country to helping shape a new understanding of plant medicine, Irina’s story is equal parts science, grit, and heart.

She shares how a heartbreaking moment when her one-year-old whippet, Lux, faced leg amputation led her to experiment with CBD almost two decades ago. What followed changed everything: not only did Lux keep his leg, but Irena’s belief in the plant deepened, setting her on a lifelong path of education and advocacy.

Together, Kyla and Irena unpack the realities of running a hydro store when cannabis was still taboo, the double standards in Australia’s vape laws, and why real harm reduction starts with honest conversations. They also explore the stigma that still surrounds women who use the plant and the urgent need for open, non-judgmental education from budtenders to doctors.

This is a raw, funny, and deeply human conversation about courage, curiosity, and creating community through the plant.

You’ll hear:

How Irena helped bring herbal vapes to Australia
The story of Lux, the dog who inspired her CBD journey
Why stigma still drives secrecy among women who use cannabis
What harm reduction really looks like in practice
The missing link in doctor education about the endocannabinoid system
Irina’s vision for community-led, plant-positive spaces

Contact

You can find Irena on Instagram @ladylux420 check out her amazing range of canna products here www.wearelux.com.au

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

27 - Sam Clohessy: Breast Cancer, Fitness, and the Power of the Plant.

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +1000

Today’s episode is raw, real, and deeply human. Kyla sits down with Sam Clohessy, a personal trainer from Western Australia, who shares her story of strength, survival, and self-discovery after being diagnosed with breast cancer at just 34 years old.

From her early days working on remote mine sites to building a fitness business and navigating the breakdown of her marriage, Sam opens up about how years of stress took a toll on her body and how she found resilience, healing, and hope through movement, mindset, and natural medicine.

Sam takes us through the moment she found a lump in the shower, her experience with chemotherapy and the “Red Devil,” and the turning point that led her to explore cannabis as part of her recovery journey. Together, Kyla and Sam unpack what it really takes to heal - body, mind, and spirit - and why curiosity, community, and self-care can make all the difference.

You’ll Learn:

How chronic stress and emotional trauma can impact physical health
What life on the mine sites taught Sam about fitness and discipline
The reality of a young woman navigating breast cancer and single motherhood
What to expect from chemotherapy and radiation (and the infamous Red Devil)
How cannabis entered Sam’s healing journey and why it’s still a taboo topic in oncology
The lifestyle practices that help her stay healthy today: movement, nutrition, grounding, and mindset

Highlights:

“Cancer isn’t who you are - it’s a chapter in your life. Don’t let it consume you.”
“Fitness was my anchor. It filled my cup and kept me sane.”
“I asked my GP for a prescription for cannabis and she said, ‘You’d have to be terminal.’ Two years later, she started prescribing it.”
“The more positive and hopeful you are, the more your body can heal.”

Resources Mentioned:

Research on CBD, THCA, and CBDA in breast cancer cell studies (referenced by Kyla in-episode) Cannabidiol as a Novel Inhibitor of Id-1 Gene Expression in Aggressive Breast Cancer Cells - McAllister et al
Cannabidiol Induces Programmed Cell Death in Breast Cancer Cells by Coordinating the Crosstalk between Apoptosis and Autophagy - Shrivastava et al
Kyla’s Cancer Support Document — to request a copy DM kyla on IG @cannacuriousau

Connect:

Follow Sam Clohessy on Instagram @infinityboundlessfitness

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

26 - Megan Mbengue: Dancer to Nurse to Plant Medicine.

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this conversation, nurse and educator Megan Mbengue walks us through her path from hospital wards to cannabinoid care.

We break down the endocannabinoid system in plain language, why CBG is her daytime go-to for anxiety and focus, and how to use THC without wrecking your nervous system.

We dig into cannabis hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), the problems with high-THC vapes, why flower still matters, and what her team is seeing in a suppository study for period pain. We also touch on microdosing psychedelics, integration, and doing the root-cause work so you actually need less over time.

You’ll Learn:

What the endocannabinoid system does — in human words
Why CBG can calm the fight-or-flight response without sedation
How hormone shifts in peri/menopause can change your THC sensitivity
The early signs of CHS and why vapes fast-track trouble
When to choose flower, patches, teas, or suppositories
A nurse’s harm-reduction approach to anxiety, sleep, and pain
Where microdosing can bridge the gap when cannabis isn’t enough

Highlights:

Dancer to nurse to plant medicine: the career pivot that started in hospice
The seizure case that changed everything
CBG vs CBD: different receptors, different outcomes
“Start low, go slow” especially for women in peri/menopause
CHS red flags: morning nausea, abdominal pain, alcohol intolerance
Vapes vs flower: why potency and frequency matter
Suppositories for pelvic pain and periods: real-world outcomes women report
Microdosing + integration: working on the root, not just the symptom

Practical Takeaways:

Anxiety (daytime): try whole-plant CBG; keep THC low and targeted at night for sleep
New or returning users: start with flower or gentle oral routes; avoid high-THC distillate vapes
Pelvic or period pain: consider vaginal or rectal suppositories many women report reduced cramps, headaches, and nausea
Morning nausea with daily use: pause and assess for CHS signs; seek support early
Cycle tracking: you may need less THC mid-cycle and a different method in the late luteal phase

Resources Mentioned

Society of Cannabis Clinicians https://www.cannabisclinicians.org/
EntheaCare — https://entheacare.com
OnTracka —https://www.ontracka.com/

Connect with Megan

Instagram/Threads: @enthea.care

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

25 - Lillie Brown: Painful Sex 101.

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Painful sex is common but not normal. Kyla and sexologist Lillie Brown unpack the fear–pain cycle, pelvic pain, arousal and lubrication, and practical steps to heal without pushing through pain. We also touch on how cannabis may help some women reduce pain and increase pleasure, plus when to bring in a pelvic floor physio or sexologist.

Key Takeaways

Pain is information, not something to “push through.”
The fear–pain cycle can be broken with slowness + safety + pleasure.
Arousal matters: women need 20–40 minutes for full physiological arousal (engorgement, lengthening, “tenting”).
Lube is protective and pleasurable. Add more than you think.
Penetration can be taken off the table while you heal and sex can still be great.
Consider a pelvic floor physio and/or sexologist for tailored support.
Some women find cannabis (topical/systemic) helps with pain, arousal, and presence. Start low, go slow, and consult a clinician.

What We Cover

Defining painful sex (dyspareunia) and common sensations (stinging/burning at the entrance, deep dull/throbbing pain).
Pelvic pain 101 and common contributors (endo/adenomyosis, pelvic floor dysfunction, UTIs, thrush, IBS, hormonal shifts).
Vaginismus (primary/secondary) and why “just relax” isn’t a plan.
The fear–pain cycle: anticipation → bracing → pain → avoidance (and how to exit it).
Arousal & anatomy: erectile tissue of the vulva, vaginal lengthening, and “tenting.”
Practical tools: breathwork, pelvic floor release/relaxation, lube strategy, dilators with arousal, depth-limit tools (e.g., Ohnut), positions, and partner communication.
Cannabis & sex: topical application, suppositories, systemic use, and why presence matters.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

24 - Seeded: Does Cannabis Bring You Closer to God? with Bee and Ray.

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this week’s episode, Kyla sits down with Bee and Ray to explore one of the biggest questions that’s ever come through the Canna Curious community: Does cannabis bring you closer to God?

What started as a social media poll quickly turned into an avalanche of DMs, reflections, and debates. In this conversation, we unpack what “God” means to each of us from traditional religion to personal spirituality and how the plant has long played a role in deepening our connection to self, source, and the sacred.

In this episode, we explore:

What “God” or “higher power” means across different backgrounds and beliefs
The history of cannabis in spiritual practice from Ayurveda to Rastafarianism
How cannabis quiets the noise and deepens meditation, prayer, and presence
Grief, ego dissolution, and finding connection beyond religion
Why slowing down and returning to nature is a radical spiritual act
Simple ways to create your own spiritual ritual with or without the plant

Referenced:

Ayurveda texts citing cannabis (“bhang”) as one of five sacred plants
Modern Rastafarian practices using ganja as a sacrament
Survey data showing 66% of people report a spiritual benefit from cannabis use

Extras:
Kyla’s added a simple ritual and mantra guide in the show notes for anyone wanting to begin or deepen their personal practice. You can download it here!

Ray would like to leave these here for anyone on this journey.

30 sec: https://youtube.com/shorts/toho4X4cmGg?si=2tqKF7dDSaI3boc-

30 min: https://youtu.be/W57nYOaQmIU?si=VVYqt-ZKGVoUL6ln

Longer: https://theeternalsong.org

If this episode resonates, let us know. Your feedback helps shape future episodes and we love hearing your stories.

Bee Mohamed has worked in health policy for over 10 years, both in the public and private sectors. Bee was the inaugural CEO of ScriptWise, a health promotion charity addressing prescription medication addiction and overdose in Australia.

Bee is passionate about patient advocacy and working towards better drug policy reforms in Australia. She is currently an Ambassador for Harm Reduction Australia and Founder of Mata, an online platform sharing stories from the plant medicine industry.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

Ray Steele Ray is a storyteller and connector working in spaces of regeneration.

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and awareness to the interconnectedness of our healing and living systems.

You can find her

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

23 - The Hemp Perspective: Crystal White from Northern Rivers Hemp.

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla sits down with Crystal White from Northern Rivers Hemp to unpack her inspiring journey from working in the disability sector to running a 75-acre hemp farm in Nimbin with her husband. Crystal shares how a hemp license unexpectedly arrived in the mail during the pandemic, sparking a complete career pivot and eventually leading to the creation of a hemp farming co-op.

Together we explore:

What hemp really is, and the differences between hemp, CBD, and THC
Crystal’s path into farming, leaving the disability sector, starting from scratch, and building community
The Northern Rivers Hemp Co-op and how local farmers pooled skills to create products and opportunities
Policy change and advocacy, including Crystal’s role in the NSW Hemp Task Force and her work with politicians
Hemp-based wellness and beauty products, and why hemp can be used topically in Australia but not ingested
Bee-friendly farming practices and the importance of protecting native stingless bees
Hemp in building materials, from hempcrete houses to Jason’s new hemp building certification
A rare cannabinoid, CBL, discovered in Northern Rivers crops and possibly unique to the region

Why listen
This is more than a farming story. It is about community, resilience, and the future of hemp in Australia. Whether you are curious about plant medicine, sustainability, or rural entrepreneurship, Crystal’s story shows what is possible when passion meets persistence.

Resources and Links

Visit the Northern Rivers Hemp Shop in Nimbin’s main street
Follow Northern Rivers Hemp on social media for updates on hemp farming, products, and advocacy. @northernrivershemp
State Senator for LCP Jeremy Buckingham @cannabisjeremy
Learn more about hemp building: Australian Hemp Masonry Company https://www.hempmasonry.com.au/
Stingless Bee Buzz @stingless_bee_buzz

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

22 - Love, Loss, and the Plant: A Family’s Pancreatic Cancer Journey with Christie Ahfa.

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +1000

When Christie's husband, Lei, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, life as they knew it turned upside down. With two young boys, a global plandemic unfolding, and a devastating diagnosis, their family was thrust into a whirlwind of hospitals, misdiagnoses, and impossible decisions.

In this conversation, Christie shares openly about:

The early symptoms that were missed and the persistence it took to finally get answers.
The harsh realities of cancer care, from mis-prescribed chemo to navigating genetic testing.
How faith and community anchored them through moments of crisis.
The turning point when the plant became part of Lei’s care - improving appetite, easing pain, and helping him regain quality of life.
What it meant to provide palliative care at home, and bringing Lei’s body home after his passing.
The lessons she’s carried forward about advocacy, honesty with children, and finding strength you don’t know you have.
Lei’s message for anyone walking through illness: Don’t stop living.

This is a tender, powerful episode about love, resilience, and redefining what care can look like. Whether you’re navigating illness, supporting a loved one, or simply seeking perspective, Christy’s story will leave you with both hope and grounding.

You can find Christie @christie_ahfa

✨ Resources & Mentions:

Genomics genetic testing for chemo/medicine compatibility https://www.genomicdiagnostics.com.au/tests/pharmacogenomics#order
Information on pancreatic cancer: PanKind Foundation – The Australian Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.https://pankind.org.au

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

21 - Give The Plant Back To The People with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, I take you on a journey through the history of cannabis prohibition, from the powerful industries and political figures who drove it, to the propaganda and international treaties that locked it in place.

This is not a deep academic lecture, but a story about how we got here and why a plant that was once widely used for pain, sleep, women’s health, and everyday ailments became criminalised across much of the world.

We’ll look at:

The early uses of cannabis in medicine and daily life
Harry Anslinger’s role in pushing prohibition, and why he was not acting alone
The influence of industry, media, and racism in shaping public fear
Australia’s own prohibition history, from Smith’s Weekly headlines to Hunter Valley “weed raiders” and beyond
Why prohibition was never about health or safety, but about profit, power, and control

By the end of this episode, you’ll see why I believe it is time to give the plant back to the people.

Resources and Further Reading

The Joke Dr John Jiggens - couldn't find a link to this but I got mine at The Hemp Embassy in Nimbin.

Owen Smith Legalising Cannabis Extracts, Edibles in the Supreme Court of Canada

1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and later UN treaties

Le Dain Commission

Legalise Cannabis Party - Bill

OWL Conference

https://owlconference.com.au/owl-speakers/

TGA Public Consultation

https://consultations.tga.gov.au/medicines-regulation-division/test-soms/

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who still believes the old myths about cannabis. And do not forget to rate and review the podcast, it helps the algorithm put this conversation in front of more people.

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

20 - Seeded. Called By The Plant with Bee and Ray.

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode, we pull back the curtain and share some our own stories of how the plant called us into this space.

From harm reduction and patient advocacy, to chronic pain, migraines, and the quiet frustration of being dismissed in the doctor’s office each of us followed a different road. But the common thread is connection. The plant didn’t just relieve symptoms; she shifted our perspectives, revealed truths we couldn’t ignore, and opened the possibility of healing on deeper levels.

This episode isn’t about giving you a one-size-fits-all answer. It’s about reminding you that there are choices, and that healing isn’t just about quick fixesit’s about slowing down, listening, and reconnecting with yourself.

What We Talk About in This Episode

The harm reduction frontline and what it taught us about preventable loss
Living through migraines, chronic pain, and the opioid treadmill
Gentle first encounters with the plant and what shifted afterward
How stigma silences women and patients, and why that has to change
The role of meditation, mindfulness, and holistic care alongside cannabis
Why respect, patience, and “starting low, going slow” matter more than ever
The bigger medicine: connection to self, to others, and to possibility

Why This Matters
Too often, women’s pain is dismissed, masked with pills, or met with silence. By sharing our stories, we want to open doors for conversations, for new pathways, and for anyone who has ever wondered if there’s another way forward.

Resources & Mentions

Harm reduction and patient advocacy in Australia https://www.harmreductionaustralia.org.au/
Research around CBD and beta-caryophyllene in addiction and recovery
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8173061/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8026612/

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TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

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19 - Alcohol Vs Cannabis: Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this solo episode of Canna Curious, Kyla gets personal about grief, self-care, and the choices we make when life gets heavy. She unpacks one of the oldest debates: alcohol versus cannabis.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why alcohol is responsible for 2.6 million deaths a year globally, while cannabis has zero overdose deathsrecorded.
How cannabis-related harms are often tied to polydrug use or accidents, not toxicity alone.
The gender double standard: wine marketed as “self-care,” cannabis framed as “irresponsible.”
How alcohol worsens hot flushes, mood swings, and sleep in perimenopause — while cannabis may support relief.

Key Takeaways:

Alcohol is normalised but deadly. WHO reports show millions of deaths annually.
Cannabis carries risks but far fewer. And no deaths from toxicity alone.
Context and gender matter. Women are pushed toward alcohol, even though it worsens health outcomes in midlife.
Narrative is everything. Stigma has shaped laws and culture more than evidence ever has.

Statistics:

Breakdown of Cannabis-Related Deaths in Australia (2000–2018)

This comes from a retrospective review of coronial records via Australia’s National Coronial Information System, as reported by Emma Zahra and colleagues at NDARC, UNSW Sydney

Manner of Deaths (out of total 559 cases):

Accidental injury: 29.9% (~30%)
Suicide: 25.0%
Polysubstance toxicity (i.e., cannabis plus other substances): 17.0%
Natural disease: 16.1%
Natural disease plus drug effect/toxicity: 7.9%
Assault: 3.0%
Unascertained (unknown): 1.1%
Cannabis toxicity alone: 0%—no deaths were attributed solely to cannabis toxicity

Polydrug Involvement

In 81.4% of cases, other drugs were noted alongside cannabis in the cause of death citations.
The most frequent co-detected drug was alcohol, appearing in 47.2% of these cases

Resources & References

Zahra E., Darke S., Degenhardt L., Campbell G. Rates, characteristics and manner of cannabis-related deaths in Australia 2000–2018. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2020.
World Health Organization (2024). Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health.

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18 - Instigating Rebel: Christina McMullan's Cannabis Story.

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +1000

What does it mean to grow up in a medical household, rebel against it, and then return to plant medicine as the very thing that brings peace, presence, and healing?

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Christina McMullan, an instigating rebel and the voice behind Aus Canna Reviews and the Aus Canna Podcast.

We start by going back to the 90s, when cannabis first entered her life on a hill in Texas, and follow her journey through grief, motherhood, and advocacy.

Christina speaks candidly about:

Her first encounters with cannabis and the cultural stigma in the American South
Growing up in a family of doctors where cannabis was never discussed
Using the plant during her father's end-of-life care and the conversations it unlocked
Navigating pregnancy nausea and the decision to use cannabis with the support of her doctor
The role cannabis played in helping her slow down and show up more fully as a mother
Why she believes in fighting for access to the plant, especially at the end of life

This episode is honest, reflective, and full of those quiet truths that often go unspoken. Whether you're new to the plant or have a long-standing relationship with it, Christina's story is a reminder that healing is not always loud, and rebellion is not always visible.

Christina hosts the Aus Canna Podcast you can find her here: @auscannareviews

Or you can find her on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

Subscribe to the Canna Curious newsletter:

Get honest conversations, science-backed insights, and plant-based tools to support your wellbeing.

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17 - In Memory Of My Beautiful Nanna.

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Lena Mariana (Mary) 11/04/1928 - 03/08/2025.

This week’s episode is raw and unpolished, recorded during a tender moment as my Nanna Mary was nearing the end of her life. It's a conversation wrapped in love, loss, and legacy.

I explore:

What we inherit beyond genetics like patterns of silence, sacrifice, and self-denial
The cost of “being strong” and what it means to choose softness instead
How the silent generation of women carried so much without ever being allowed to fall apart
Reclaiming nervous system regulation, rest, and emotional honesty
Using plant medicine not to escape, but to return to ourselves
Why our healing work matters not just for us, but for our daughters and their daughters too

This episode is for anyone grieving, anyone breaking generational patterns, and anyone learning to feel instead of flee. It’s for the woman becoming the ancestor her grandmother never got to be.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Silent Generation (1928–1945) and their legacy of resilience and repression
Microdosing for emotional regulation
Ancestral healing through nervous system repair and ritual
A call to remember and honour the women who came before us

A gentle ask:
When you light up, drop in, or take your tincture this week, do it in memory of my Nanna or yours. For all the nans who never got to rest.

Thank you for holding this space with me. I’ll be back next week with our regular program.

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16 - Seeded. How to Take a T- Break: Resetting Your Cannabis Tolerance with Bee and Ray.

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode of The Canna Curious Podcast, we’re talking about t- breaks also known as tolerance breaks. Whether you use cannabis for anxiety, pain, migraines, or perimenopause symptoms, sometimes it’s worth pausing to ask: Is my medicine still working the way I need it to?

Together with Bee and Ray, we dive into the why, when, and how of taking a break from cannabis. We explore what to expect physically and emotionally, how to avoid white-knuckling your way through it, and why planning, journaling, and self-compassion are your best allies.

We also unpack:

Signs you might need a t break
How to set an intention (and why it matters)
How to handle withdrawal symptoms with care
What to do if you can’t stop using cannabis completely
The underestimated power of rest, routine, and reflection

Whether you’re taking a one-day pause or a three-week reset, this conversation is a reminder that your relationship with the plant can be intentional, empowering, and deeply supportive.

Resources Mentioned:

🫖 Download the Tea Break Guide & Tracker → https://cannacurious.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cannabis-rest-reset-tolerance-break-6.pdf

If this episode resonates, let us know. Your feedback helps shape future episodes - and we love hearing your stories.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

Ray Steele is a storyteller and connector, finding her path in this work through involvement in social responsibility, agroecology, regenerative and bioregional projects for over 10 years. She is a passionate living systems advocate.

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

15 (Bonus) - Desire: Sex and Cannabis with Lillie Brown.

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Welcome to the first in a new series exploring sex, pleasure, and the plant - hosted by Kyla and somatic sexologist Lillie Brown. In this juicy and deeply honest conversation, we crack open a topic that’s often whispered about but rarely explored with compassion: desire.

This episode is for every woman who’s felt the weight of low libido, shame around cannabis use, or a disconnect between their mind and body especially in the chaos of motherhood, chronic illness, or perimenopause.

We explore:

Why pain, stress, and hormone changes impact desire
The difference between arousal and desire (and why it matters)
Spontaneous vs. responsive desire—hint: both are valid!
How shame and stigma still show up for women who use the plant
Ways to get back in touch with your body and your pleasure
The power of slowing down (seriously, slooooow down)
Practical tips to dial up desire, including erotic rituals and daily pleasure practices
The underrated brilliance of smutty novels and mindful nudity

Lillie also shares her framework of making eroticism a lifestyle and why your sex life isn’t just about what happens in the bedroom. From brushing your teeth to cleaning the socks off the floor, she reminds us: context is everything.

Whether you’re partnered or solo, in a drought or riding high, this episode is a permission slip to explore desire on your terms, in your body, with your tools - and maybe even a cheeky vape or velvet doona cover.

Lillie Brown

Lillie Brown is a certified somatic sexologist, facilitator, writer, and collage artist who’s obsessed with helping people experience more pleasure, confidence, and connection in their sex lives. Whether it was Catholic school or Friday nights spent watching Girls of the Playboy Mansion, she’s always been fascinated by why we crave sex, how we have it, and how to dial up the pleasure.

Her warm, playful, and judgement-free approach helps individuals, couples, and groups get intimately acquainted with their bodies, desires, and erotic potential. A hedonist at heart, Lillie is dedicated to guiding people through erotic transformation and sexual liberation with shame-free, pleasure-focused education.

Ready to explore your own desires, build your sexual confidence, or finally feel at home in your body?

Book a 1:1 session with Lillie and start your journey toward the sex life—and pleasure - you deserve.

Find her @sexwithlillie

Free Download:

Make sense of your turn ons

https://www.lilliebrown.com/make-sense-of-your-turn-ons

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

15 - The Hormone-Cannabis Connection: Dosing with Body Literacy with Kyla de Clifford.

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Today we’re diving into a question every canna-curious woman has either wondered about, or learned the hard way: How do I actually dose cannabis? And what does my cycle have to do with it?

If you’ve ever taken an edible and suddenly found yourself narrating your life like it’s a David Attenborough documentary or if you’ve avoided trying again after a not-so-great experience, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

How to find your personal sweet spot
What to do if you overdo it
Why estrogen, ovulation, and the luteal phase can change your THC sensitivity
How to work with your cycle (instead of against it) using intentional, layered dosing

We’ll walk through what a low dose actually looks like, how to track what’s working, and why body literacy is your best friend when it comes to plant medicine. Plus, I’ll break down each phase of your menstrual cycle and how it can impact your cannabis experience from microdosing for cramps to titrating carefully during PMS.

Whether you're new to this space or looking to deepen your relationship with the plant, this episode gives you the tools to tune in, track wisely, and dose with confidence.

Download Your FREE Dosing + Cycle Tracker Here: https://cannacurious.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/gold-leaf-cycle-trader-one-page.pdf

References + studies mentioned are also listed below:

Craft RM, Wakley AA, Tsutsui KT, Laggart JD. (2012).
Sex differences in cannabinoid pharmacology: A reflection of differences in the endocannabinoid system?
Life Sciences, 92(8–9), 476–481.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lfs.2011.09.017
Cooper ZD & Craft RM. (2018).
Sex-dependent effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: A translational perspective.
Neuropsychopharmacology, 43(1), 34–51.
https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2017.140
Cuttler C, Mischley LK, Sexton M. (2020).
Sex differences in cannabis use and effects: A cross-sectional survey of cannabis users.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 5(4), 252–262.
https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2019.0078
Sinclair J, Oudshoorn E, et al. (2024).
Cannabis Use for Menstrual Health and Symptom Management: An Observational Survey of Australian Women.
(Forthcoming – presented at the International Endometriosis and Cannabis Symposium, 2024)
Note: This study is not yet published in a journal but was presented at a medical conference. Check back on the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics or cannabisresearchaustralia.org for publication updates.
Ross M. (2020).
Vitamin Weed: A 4-Step Plan to Prevent and Reverse Endoc

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Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

14 - Rewriting The Rules: A Mum’s Plant Story with Jess Peros.

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Ever felt judged for choosing a vape over a wine? Or wondered why mothers who take c*nn*b!s still get side-eyed while wine o’clock is seen as self-care?

In this episode of Canna Curious, I sit down with Jess, a mother, grower, educator, and lifelong plant lover, to talk all things womanhood, wellness, and rewriting the story we’ve been told about cannabis!

From her first joint at 14 to microdosing with intention, Jess shares how her relationship with the plant has shifted through the wild years of growing up, raising kids, and working on the frontlines of patient care.

We talk about:
✨ How motherhood changed her ritual and made it more sacred
✨ Unlearning the belief that cannabis is for everyone
✨ What most people get wrong about mothers who use the plant
✨ Tolerance breaks, terpenes, and making the method match the moment
✨ Why we need less ego and more connection in the c*nn*b!s space

This one’s for the women who use the plant not to check out, but to check in. To calm the chaos. To reconnect. To heal.

It’s raw, reflective, and rebellious in the best way. Whether you’re new to the plant or have been using it for decades, Jess reminds us what conscious use really looks like.

You can find jess @thegreenroom.hq

Mentioned

Dr Jeffrey Hergenrather https://www.drjeffhergenrather.com/

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Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

13 - Methods Of Consumption with Kyla De Clifford.

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +1000

Ever had a gummy that hit you like a freight train two hours later? Or vaped and wondered why the effect disappeared in under an hour? Welcome to the world of ca**abis consumption methods where how you take it can totally change how it works.

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla breaks down the different ways we take ca**abis. From fast-acting vapes to long-lasting oils, topicals that stay skin-deep to suppositories that change the gamethis is your guide to doing it smarter, not stronger.

Whether you’re here for pain, sleep, mood, or hormone support, knowing the right method for the moment could be the missing piece.

What I Cover:

Why your body reacts differently to each method (hello, liver!)
The bioavailability breakdown: how much actually makes it into your system
Smoking vs edibles vs sublinguals—timing, intensity, and duration
Topicals, patches & why they don’t get you high
Vaginal suppositories and pelvic relief (yes, we went there)
Real-life stories and common mistakes (including Kyla’s paprika crisis)

More Information:

Click here for the FREE PDF of consumption methods.

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

12 - Seeded: Navigating Stigma and Finding Your Community with Bee and Ray.

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +1000

What does it take to shake off a lifetime of shame around cannabis? In this deeply personal conversation, Ray, Bee, and Kyla open up about their earliest experiences with the plant and the stigma that kept them silent for years.

From growing up in countries where cannabis use meant death penalties or jail time, to navigating parenthood, professional reputations, and internalised fear, this episode goes deep into what it means to use the plant and still feel judged for it.

We talk about finding language, finding confidence, and eventually finding community. This episode is a reminder that education is powerful, but so is conversation. And when we tell the truth about our relationship with the plant, we help others feel less alone.

Whether you’re still whispering about your use, or proudly rolling joints at dinner parties, this one is for you.

Content Note:

This episode includes discussion of drug-related stigma, global drug policies, parenting, and cannabis use. Listener discretion advised.

In this episode, we cover:

• How growing up under the War on Drugs shaped our beliefs
• Cannabis stigma across cultures, from Singapore to Australia to the Middle East
• What it’s like to be a mother who uses cannabis
• Why conversations with kids matter
• How cannabis compares to alcohol and pharmaceuticals
• Why so many women are quietly quitting alcohol
• Where to find (or build) community as a cannabis user
• The missing social spaces for conscious consumption
• How to start talking about the plant, with friends, family, and yourself

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

11 - Bleeding, Burnout & Blazing: Living with Endometriosis, PMDD, & ADHD with Lillie Brown.

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Lillie Brown is a sexologist, speaker, and fierce advocate for body literacy and cannabis education. She lives with endometriosis, PMDD, and ADHD and in this deeply honest (and hilarious) conversation, she shares what it’s really like to live in a body that doesn’t always play nice.

We talk about the long road to diagnosis, the rollercoaster of symptoms, and the life-changing power of cannabis when used with intention. From DIY lube and THC suppositories to navigating the stigma of smoking a joint for pain, nothing is off limits in this episode.

Whether you're cannabis curious, chronically ill, or simply craving more honest conversations about women's health, this one’s for you.

Content Note:
This episode includes discussions of chronic illness, mental health (including suicidal ideation), vaginal pain, medical dismissal, and cannabis use. Please listen with care.

In this episode, we cover:

• Lillie’s journey with endometriosis, PMDD, and ADHD
• Why it took years to get diagnosed
• How cannabis helps with pain, appetite, sleep, and emotional regulation
• Oils vs vapes vs smoking vs suppositories
• THC on the vulva
• The mental load of living with invisible illness
• What to do if your doctor won’t listen
• How to use cannabis with intention, not as a crutch
• Why stigma still silences women and how we’re changing that

You can find Lillie on IG @sexwithlillie Or at www.lilliebrown.com.au

Resources:

In our conversation we mention the 'in the weeds study - published on June 12th 2025'. Here is the link to that study https://raf.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/raf/6/2/RAF-24-0098.xml
PMDD information and support https://www.iapmd.org/ for

Endometriosis information and support: www.qendo.org.au or https://endometriosisaustralia.org/

Let’s keep talking:
Lillie and I will be back soon with a special series on sex and cannabis. We’ll be mixing science, storytelling, and plenty of juicy, practical tips. Got a question or topic you want us to cover? Slide into the DMs @cannacuriousaus or @sexwithlillie or leave a comment on the show.

If you loved this episode, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

10 - THC, CBD & the Other Cannabinoids You’ve Never Heard Of with Kyla De Clifford

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +1000

Cannabis is made up of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, ethers & esters, lipids & waxes, proteins & enzymes and carbohydrates.

For more reading on cannabinoids:

The Essential Guide to CBD by Ryan Lewis & the team at Project CBD

Cannabis is Medicine by Dr Bonni Goldstein

The cannabinoids I talked about on today’s episode:

THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol):
The main psychoactive compound in cannabis, known for its pain-relieving, anti-nausea, and appetite-stimulating effects.

CBD (Cannabidiol):
A non-intoxicating cannabinoid with anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and seizure-reducing properties.

CBG (Cannabigerol):
Often called the "mother cannabinoid," CBG is being studied for its potential to support gut health, mood, and neuroprotection.

THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin):
A cannabinoid with potential appetite-suppressant and blood sugar-regulating effects - sometimes called "diet weed."

CBN (Cannabinol):
Formed as THC ages, CBN is mildly psychoactive and often promoted for sleep and relaxation support.

CBC (Cannabichromene):
Non-intoxicating and anti-inflammatory, CBC may support brain health by encouraging the growth of new neurons.

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Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
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9 - This Isn’t in the Textbook: Epilepsy, CBD, and a Mother’s Grit with Erin Oudshoorn.

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +1000

What happens when your instincts whisper something the doctors won’t say out loud?

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Erin Oudshoorn - mother to the incredible Luella, and founder of the Lulu Love Project. Erin shares the raw and honest story of Luella’s diagnosis with infantile spasms at just 11 weeks old, and the years that followed - filled with uncertainty, exhaustion, and an unshakable drive to find another way.

We talk about what it means to follow your gut when the medical system says no, how Erin first turned to CBD in the face of resistance, and why trusting your inner voice might just be the most powerful medicine we have.

This is a conversation about grit, grief, and hope. About parenting in the unknown. And about listening closely—to yourself, your child, and the stories that don’t always make it into the textbooks.

Reach out to Erin:

@little.lulu.love

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
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If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

8 - Seeded. Periods, Hormones and a Toolkit of Wellness with Bee & Ray.

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Seeded, Kyla sits down with Bee and Ray for a real, unfiltered conversation about periods, pain, perimenopause, and everything we were never taught about our bodies.

From the awkwardness of first bleeds and being put on the pill way too young, to hormone-fuelled migraines and the shame that still lingers around menstruation - we go there.

With stories that will make you laugh, cringe, and maybe feel a little less alone, we talk about how food, plant medicine, and giving ourselves permission to rest have helped us reconnect with our cycles in a way our younger selves never could have imagined.

Topics we cover:

Why migraines, mood swings, and anxiety might not be “just stress”
What happened when we finally started tracking our cycles
How CBD and THC can support painful periods and perimenopause
The wild side effects of hormonal contraception (and how we figured it out the hard way)
Replacing shame with sisterhood, and painkillers with proper toolkits
Why we should all be journaling, celebrating our bleed, and maybe building a hut

Recommended Reading:

Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual by Lara Briden
Referenced:

The Business of Birth Control documentary by Riki Lake

Bee Mohamed has worked in health policy for over 10 years, bo th in the public and private sectors. Bee was the inaugural CEO of ScriptWise, a health promotion charity addressing prescription medication addiction and overdose in Australia.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

Ray Steele is a storyteller and connector, finding her path in this work through involvement in social responsibility, agroecology, regenerative and bioregional projects for over 10 years. She is a passionate living systems advocate.

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

"Send us a message"

Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

7 - Healing Ourselves and the Planet with Hemp - Karen Burge

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:00:00 +1000

In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with hemp educator and community leader Karen Burge, founder of The Hemporium and co-founder of the iconic Canna Nannas movement.

Karen shares her personal journey with plant medicine, how she overcame autoimmune illness, and her tireless advocacy for hemp as a solution for health, sustainability, and social justice.

From her early days publishing a grassroots magazine and meditating on the beach to standing firm in the Bentley Blockade and running for political office, Karen’s story is one of courage, conviction, and deep care for future generations.

Topics we cover:

Karen’s health journey and how hemp turned things around.
The difference between hemp and cannabis (and why that matters).
What the endocannabinoid system is — and why we’re not being taught about it.
How hemp can revolutionise housing, clothing, and food systems.
The origins and mission of the Canna Nannas
Her vision for a future where every backyard grows medicine

Links & Mentions:

- Visit The Hemporium: thehemporium.com.au
- Follow Karen on Facebook: facebook.com/thehemporium
- Learn about the endocannabinoid system: projectcbd.org
- Mentioned: Dr. Ethan Russo, Dr. William Courtney, Dr. Andrew Katelaris

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Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

6 - Amanda’s Story: From Ulcerative Colitis To Cancer & The Plant That Helped Her Heal.

Wed, 21 May 2025 07:00:00 +1000

What happens when modern medicine leaves you out of options? Amanda shares her powerful story of enduring ulcerative colitis and stage 4 cancer, and finding healing and strength through cannabis. From suppositories to homemade oils and her new partnership with the game-changing Noids Machine, this episode is a masterclass in patient advocacy, plant medicine, and resilience.

This episode is for you whether you're curious about cannabis and chronic illness, or want a behind-the-scenes look at how real women are reclaiming their health

To get in touch with Amanda you can find her:

Instagram: @amanda_white_stayelevated

To purchase a Noids machine https://www.noids.com.au/ enter code CC at checkout for a $47 discount. Follow them @noids.au

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

5 - Migraines, Adenomyosis and Menopause with Cannabis as a Lifelong Ally with Chrissie Butler.

Wed, 14 May 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this episode of the Canna Curious Podcast, Kyla sits down with longtime friend and cannabis advocate Chrissie Butler to talk about her evolving relationship with the plant.

From migraines to mood swings, endometriosis to the hormonal rollercoaster that is perimenopause, Chrissie opens up about using cannabis across different life stages - and how she’s had to adapt her rituals, mindset, and medical conversations as her body changed.

You can find Chrissie on:

Instagram: @energy.nirvana

Website: https://www.energynirvana.com.au

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

4 - Seeded. A Quick Chat on Psychedelics - What’s Your Approach? With Bee Mohamed & Ray Steele.

Wed, 07 May 2025 07:00:00 +1000

In this short seeded episode, I sit down with Ray and Bee where we are dipping into the world of psychedelics - not a deep dive (that’s coming later).

We ask the question: What’s your approach to psychedelics?

Is it about breakthroughs, preparation, or just another tool in the self-discovery kit?

This one’s about personal takeaways, misconceptions, and why what you do after the trip might just matter more than the trip itself.

Bee Mohamed has worked in health policy for over 10 years, both in the public and private sectors. Bee was the inaugural CEO of ScriptWise, a health promotion charity addressing prescription medication addiction and overdose in Australia.

You can find her storytelling at @mata_gathering

After 15 years of severe migraines, a return to natural therapies offered her relief and heightened awareness of the interconnectedness between healing and living systems.

You can find her @ray.steele

For further reading on psychedelics we recommend anything by Paul Stamets. True Hallucinations by Terence McKenna and watch Dosed on Netflix.

The Optiminsing Wellness and Longevity Conference (OWL’25) is on in Australia November 7-9th. This groundbreaking conference is covering psychedelics, peptides, medical cannabis, IV’s and more. Put your name down on the waitlist for when they open up public tickets.www.owlconference.com.au

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

3 - Stripped of Relief: Fight for Medical Cannabis in Hospital with Sharna Stewart.

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 13:00:00 +1000

When pain is constant, medicine becomes sacred. So what happens when the system takes it away?

Sharna lives with fibromyalgia, a condition that brings relentless, widespread pain. Through trial and error, she found relief with legal medical cannabis—until she enters the hospital. Each time she’s admitted for care, her cannabis is confiscated and she’s put back on opioids, a medication that makes her violently ill. In this deeply personal conversation, Sharna shares the physical and emotional toll of being denied the medicine that works for her.

It’s a story of resilience, and the ongoing battle for patient rights in a system that still hasn’t caught up with the science—or the humanity. I’m grateful to Sharna for her time today so lets spark up this conversation

Sharna can be contacted @fibroadvocate1

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

2 - Mums on the Frontline: Challenging Cannabis in Women's Health with Alice Davy.

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +1000

In this episode we chat through Alice’s journey with Cannabis. We hear how Alice used medicinal cannabis when she got pregnant with her second child.

Alice Davy is a single mother to two young boys and a medicinal cannabis
patient who navigates life with endometriosis, multiple sclerosis and ADHD.

She is a passionate advocate for cannabis reform including women’s and
children’s health. She has been a part of the 'Let Patients Drive' campaign in
Victoria with the Legalise Cannabis Party and works tirelessly to address
the impact of current driving laws on medicinal cannabis patients. She has
also been an active participant of the LCP in order to promote the
legalisation of the use of medicinal cannabis and driving, including the
importance of her diseases impacting her quality of life as a single mother
on a daily basis. Alice’s advocacy began several years ago when she was
discriminated for her use of cannabis as a single mother and more importantly a woman.

To get in touch with Alice go to @_justmsingaround

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.

1 - Welcome to Canna Curious with Kyla de Clifford.

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +1000

In this episode I share my journey and what led me here to the plant and to the stories of these beautiful women.

To get in touch with Kyla go to @cannacuriousaus or TikTok where she is still @cannacuriousau

Please subscribe to the Canna Curious Podcast and to help me continue to get the word out there, it helps get it in front of more people if you spend 2 minutes and give me a review.

Thank you.

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Support the show

Connect with Kyla de Clifford
Instagram: @cannacuriousaus
TikTok: @cannacuriousau
YouTube: @cannacurious

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, share, and leave a review - it helps the podcast reach more curious minds just like you.