Cannabis & the Body: The Hidden System That Could Change Medicine with Mikhail Kogan, MD

Medical cannabis is more widely available than ever before, but most clinicians are not trained to guide patients on how to use it safely or effectively. In this episode of "Next Level Health," Dr. Melinda Ring sits down with Dr. Mikhai Kogan to unpack the science, misconceptions and clinical realities of cannabis in modern medicine. They also discuss the recent article published in JAMA Network Open: "Developing Medical Cannabis Competencies: A Consensus Statement," in which Kogan was a senior author and Ring was a co-author. https://youtu.be/cY96j3aBhTw 00:00 – Can cannabis be a tool for health? A nuanced perspective on using cannabis with intention and respect. 00:00:21 – Show intro: What is Next Level Health? Dr. Melinda Ring introduces the mission of the podcast. 00:00:50 – Why clinicians aren't trained in medical cannabis The gap between legalization and medical education. 00:02:10 – Cannabis through history: From ancient medicine to prohibition How cannabis went from a standard treatment to a Schedule I substance. 00:05:11 – What Schedule I really means for research and doctors Why cannabis research is limited—and what that means for patient care. 00:07:22 – The push for cannabis education in medical schools Inside the JAMA Network Open competencies initiative. 00:10:12 – Patients are learning—but are they learning the right things? The rise of public awareness (and misinformation). 00:11:13 – The endocannabinoid system explained How your body naturally regulates pain, sleep, and stress. 00:12:40 – Why cannabis may be more foundational than opioids Rethinking pain management and the opioid crisis. 00:14:53 – THC vs. CBD: What's the difference? Breaking down the most common cannabinoids. 00:19:34 – Beyond CBD: Emerging cannabinoids (CBG, CBN, and more) What's hype vs. what's clinically useful. 00:20:13 – The "entourage effect" and whole-plant medicine Why full-spectrum cannabis may work differently than isolates. 00:21:43 – Navigating dispensaries and product choices Why patients are often left figuring it out on their own. 00:24:57 – Cannabis coaches and the future of guidance Who can help patients when doctors can't prescribe? 00:27:36 – Is cannabis safe? Side effects, risks, and withdrawal What patients need to realistically understand. 00:30:16 – Long-term use and dependency: What's the truth? Distinguishing between physical and psychological effects. 00:30:52 – Final takeaway: A smarter approach to health Cannabis as one tool in a lifelong wellness strategy. 00:32:42 – Closing reflections and next steps Why education, nuance, and open conversation matter. Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺 Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Subscribe to the channel here:  https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/ Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/about-us/newsletter.html