logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2021
34m 16s

Plants of the Gods: S2E1. Marijuana: Why...

Mark Plotkin, Ph.D.
About this episode

Marijuana – What do the ancient Chinese, George Bush and The Beatles have in common? Knowingly or not, all benefited from one of the most well-known plants of the gods: marijuana. Between the highly practical uses of hemp fiber and its popular mind-altering properties, marijuana has been part of the human experience for thousands of years. Even so, marijuana remains a contentious topic in the United States in the 21st century. This episode explores the past and present of marijuana's impact on shaping human history.

Up next
Jun 15
Plants of the Gods: S8E9 Vanilla: The Forgotten History of the World's Most Beloved Flavor
Vanilla is one of the world's most beloved flavors, but its history is far more complex than most people realize. In this episode of Plants of the Gods, we trace vanilla's journey from its origins in Mexico to its rise as a global commodity. Learn why European powers struggled to ... Show More
29m 54s
Jun 1
Plants of the Gods: S8E8 Vanilla, Pseudocopulation and Darwin's Favorite Orchid
Vanilla is anything but plain. In fact, this orchid might be one of the sexiest plant in the rainforest. In this episode, Dr. Mark Plotkin traces the ethnobotanical history of vanilla, first used by pre-Columbian cultures in Central America as a component of revered beverages and ... Show More
31m 49s
May 18
Plants of the Gods: S8E7 Rosa Vásquez Espinoza: Between Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science
How do Indigenous knowledge and Western science come together in the study of nature and plant medicine? Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, a chemical biologist and author of The Spirit of the Rainforest, joins Dr. Mark Plotkin to explore ethnobotany, animal self-medication, and the idea ... Show More
52m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
The Stoned Age
<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">In honor of 4/20, the girlies walk you through the hazy history of a most special substance: marijuana. In the first of two episodes, they discuss how weed has been used throughout history to treat medical maladies and help people connect with the spirit ... Show More
1h 2m
Oct 2022
The Effects of Cannabis (Marijuana) on the Brain & Body
In this episode, I discuss cannabis (aka marijuana), including the biological mechanisms underlying its effects on the mind and body, its known medical applications, its impact on libido, creativity, hunger, hormones and more. I also cover the known adverse health consequences of ... Show More
2h 38m
Jun 2025
CLASSIC: Why do some people think cannabis can cure cancer?
In tonight's Classic episode, Ben, Matt and Noel dive into a decades-long, surprisingly disturbing conspiracy: with a growing number of Western countries decriminalizing or outright legalizing cannabis, the controversial plant seems set to become an acceptable alternative to some ... Show More
56m 20s
Dec 2020
Weed Everyday
This week, hosts Dope KNife and Linqua Franqa discuss the true winner of the 2020 general election: weed. Now legalized in four more states and with one-third of the US population now living in a legal weed state, DK and LF discuss the history of cannabis prohibition and legaliza ... Show More
50m 35s
Apr 2022
40: Puff, Puff, Pass: Dark History of Cannabis
Weed is a gateway drug. How many of us were warned about this in middle school health class? Well did you know it’s not true? And has been disproven multiple times? I mean if you think about it, how much do we really know about cannabis. Today we’re going to fix that. We are goin ... Show More
50m 51s
May 2019
16 - Weed with Josh Wolf
Marijuana has become a hot topic as it's becoming legalized in certain states and its products are being consumed more than ever. Fortune sits down with her former "Chelsea Lately" co-worker, Josh Wolf, to get a better understanding of marijuana, tips on using it responsibly, and ... Show More
33m 5s
Aug 2024
Your Brain On... Marijuana
<p>The neuroscience behind the benefits and risks of marijuana, explained.</p> <p>Splintered legislature, evolving taboos, and new forms of consumption have created a fragmented market for cannabis, and made it challenging for scientists to research its effects on our brains and ... Show More
46m 6s
Sep 2020
Let's Talk Cannabis: The Stigma and the Facts
Today we’re brewing up a conversation that is definitely more controversial than most: cannabis. It has always perplexed me that having the occasional glass of wine would usually go unnoticed and unbothered, but opening up about the occasional use of cannabis comes with so much j ... Show More
39m 28s
May 2024
Richard Nixon...WOMP WOMP
<p>The girlies pick up the story of marijuana where they left off in the 1960's, exploring how weed evolved from America's enemy to capitalism's sweetheart. They discuss the student protestors who lit up for peace, the drug war collab between Nixon and Reagan, how the cops convin ... Show More
1h 12m
Aug 2023
The Promise of Cannabis as We Age
Cannabis is often thought of as a young person’s drug. But the reality is that more and more people of all ages are asking their doctors about medical marijuana to treat a whole host of issues, from chronic pain, insomnia, and even some of the symptoms associated with dementia. W ... Show More
29m 36s