Many women are turning to cannabis to help with sleep, anxiety, chronic pain, and other major health concerns. But figuring out what actually works for your individual needs can be surprisingly complicated. 

Dr. Poynor speaks with neuroscientist and world-renowned medical cannabis expert Dr. Staci Ann Gruber about the science behind THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Together, they break down the potential benefits of cannabis for women’s health, how to navigate different products safely, and best practices for first-time users.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) Program at McLean Hospital

Women’s Health Initiative at Mind (WHIM)

Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute Care Setting

The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research

Marijuana impacts mood in bipolar disorder: a pilot study

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Many women are turning to cannabis to help with sleep, anxiety, chronic pain, and other major health concerns. But figuring out what actually works for your individual needs can be surprisingly complicated.&nbsp;
Dr. Poynor speaks with neuroscientist and world-renowned medical cannabis expert Dr. Staci Ann Gruber about the science behind THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. Together, they break down the potential benefits of cannabis for women&rsquo;s health, how to navigate different products safely, and best practices for first-time users.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.drstacigruber.com/mind" data-airgap-id="11">Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND) Program at McLean Hospital</a>
<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/womens-health-initiative-whi" data-airgap-id="12">Women&rsquo;s Health Initiative at Mind (WHIM)</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5312634/" data-airgap-id="13">Medicinal Cannabis: History, Pharmacology, And Implications for the Acute Care Setting</a>
<a href="https://www.nationalacademies.org/read/24625/chapter/1?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-airgap-id="14">The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35444716/" data-airgap-id="15">Marijuana impacts mood in bipolar disorder: a pilot study</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Medical Marijuana with Dr. Staci Ann Gruber

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/cad3501a-9e92-48f2-ba3e-b4a20157124c/transcript

What if aging isn't something that simply happens to us, but something we can actually influence? Dr. Poynor is joined by Dr. Eric Verdin - the President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the world's first institution dedicated solely to understanding why we age and how to do it better.

We break down the science behind why we age, the role of NAD in cellular energy and repair, how inflammation quietly accelerates decline, and what metabolism has to do with how long and how well we live. 

Dr. Verdin also walks us through what the latest research says about what we can actually do today—from how we eat and exercise, to the emerging interventions that may one day change the trajectory of aging altogether. He also shares which interventions he’s tried himself and what he’s chosen to skip altogether. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Although epigenetics has been studied for decades, a major breakthrough came in 2013, when geneticist Steve Horvath, PhD, developed the first widely applicable epigenetic clock—a DNA methylation-based biomarker that estimates biological age across multiple human tissues. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r115

A landmark 2026 Science study found that human lifespan heritability is roughly 50%, more than double earlier estimates — once researchers separated deaths from external causes (accidents, infections) from deaths driven by intrinsic aging biology. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187

Senescent cells promote tissue NAD+ decline during ageing via the activation of CD38+ macrophages: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-020-00328-w

CD38 inhibitor 78c increases mice lifespan and healthspan in a model of chronological aging: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35263032/

CD38 Inhibition Ameliorates Age-Related CognitiveDecline via a Choroid Plexus-Cerebrospinal Fluid-Hippocampus Axis: (This refers to preclinical (meaning animal model) research that was published as a pre-print and has not yet been peer reviewed.) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41542058/

Healthy aging and muscle function are positively associated with NAD+ abundance in humans: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00174-3

Pilot Study Evaluates Weekly Pill to Slow Ovarian Aging, Delay Menopause: https://www.nyp.org/advances/article/womens-health/pilot-study-evaluates-weekly-pill-to-slow-ovarian-aging-delay-menopause

Dr. Yousin Suh at the Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University - you can read more about Dr. Suh’s work here: https://www.crs.northwestern.edu/about/news/2025/nbs-2025.html

Ageing in Drosophila: The role of the insulin/Igf and TOR signalling network: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3087113/

NIA Interventions Testing Program: Investigating Putative Aging Intervention Agents in a Genetically Heterogeneous Mouse Model: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5514387/

Publications from the NIA Interventions Testing Program: https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab/interventions-testing-program-itp/publications

The use of semaglutide medicines and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION): https://www.who.int/news/item/27-06-2025-27-06-2025-semaglutide-medicines-naion

Dr. Eric Verdin LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-verdin-490212

Dr. Eric Verdin on Substack: https://substack.com/@verdinlabbuck

Dr. Eric Verdin on Instagram: @ericverdinmd 

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor substack: https://poynorhealth.substack.com/

Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Instagram: @poynorhealth 

Atria Health Library: content.atria.org

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

What if aging isn't something that simply happens to us, but something we can actually influence? Dr. Poynor is joined by Dr. Eric Verdin - the President and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the world's first institution dedicated solely to understanding why we age and how to do it better.
We break down the science behind why we age, the role of NAD in cellular energy and repair, how inflammation quietly accelerates decline, and what metabolism has to do with how long and how well we live.&nbsp;
Dr. Verdin also walks us through what the latest research says about what we can actually do today&mdash;from how we eat and exercise, to the emerging interventions that may one day change the trajectory of aging altogether. He also shares which interventions he&rsquo;s tried himself and what he&rsquo;s chosen to skip altogether.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
Although epigenetics has been studied for decades, a major breakthrough came in 2013, when geneticist Steve Horvath, PhD, developed the first widely applicable epigenetic clock&mdash;a DNA methylation-based biomarker that estimates biological age across multiple human tissues. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r115" data-airgap-id="11">https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r115</a>
A landmark 2026 Science study found that human lifespan heritability is roughly 50%, more than double earlier estimates &mdash; once researchers separated deaths from external causes (accidents, infections) from deaths driven by intrinsic aging biology. <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187" data-airgap-id="12">https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187</a>
Senescent cells promote tissue NAD+ decline during ageing via the activation of CD38+ macrophages: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-020-00328-w" data-airgap-id="13">https://www.nature.com/articles/s42255-020-00328-w</a>
CD38 inhibitor 78c increases mice lifespan and healthspan in a model of chronological aging:&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35263032/" data-airgap-id="14">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35263032/</a>
CD38 Inhibition Ameliorates Age-Related CognitiveDecline via a Choroid Plexus-Cerebrospinal Fluid-Hippocampus Axis: (This refers to preclinical (meaning animal model) research that was published as a pre-print and has not yet been peer reviewed.)&nbsp;<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41542058/" data-airgap-id="15">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41542058/</a>
Healthy aging and muscle function are positively associated with NAD+ abundance in humans:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00174-3" data-airgap-id="16">https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-022-00174-3</a>
Pilot Study Evaluates Weekly Pill to Slow Ovarian Aging, Delay Menopause: <a href="https://www.nyp.org/advances/article/womens-health/pilot-study-evaluates-weekly-pill-to-slow-ovarian-aging-delay-menopause" data-airgap-id="17">https://www.nyp.org/advances/article/womens-health/pilot-study-evaluates-weekly-pill-to-slow-ovarian-aging-delay-menopause</a>
Dr. Yousin Suh at the Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University - you can read more about Dr. Suh&rsquo;s work here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.crs.northwestern.edu/about/news/2025/nbs-2025.html" data-airgap-id="18">https://www.crs.northwestern.edu/about/news/2025/nbs-2025.html</a>
Ageing in Drosophila: The role of the insulin/Igf and TOR signalling network:&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3087113/" data-airgap-id="19">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3087113/</a>
NIA Interventions Testing Program: Investigating Putative Aging Intervention Agents in a Genetically Heterogeneous Mouse Model:&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5514387/" data-airgap-id="20">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5514387/</a>
Publications from the NIA Interventions Testing Program:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab/interventions-testing-program-itp/publications" data-airgap-id="21">https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab/interventions-testing-program-itp/publications</a>
The use of semaglutide medicines and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION):&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/27-06-2025-27-06-2025-semaglutide-medicines-naion" data-airgap-id="22">https://www.who.int/news/item/27-06-2025-27-06-2025-semaglutide-medicines-naion</a>
Dr. Eric Verdin LinkedIn page: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-verdin-490212" data-airgap-id="23">https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-verdin-490212</a>
Dr. Eric Verdin on Substack:&nbsp;<a href="https://substack.com/@verdinlabbuck" data-airgap-id="24">https://substack.com/@verdinlabbuck</a>
Dr. Eric Verdin on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ericverdinmd/">@ericverdinmd&nbsp;</a>
Dr. Elizabeth Poynor substack:&nbsp;<a href="https://poynorhealth.substack.com/" data-airgap-id="25">https://poynorhealth.substack.com/</a>
Dr. Elizabeth Poynor on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/poynorhealth/?hl=en">@poynorhealth&nbsp;</a>
Atria Health Library:&nbsp;<a href="http://content.atria.org/" data-airgap-id="26">content.atria.org</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Longevity with Dr. Eric Verdin of the Buck Institute

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/58f4e3c2-7ec3-4770-af15-b49401494f4d/transcript

What happens to a woman's mental health when she experiences a major hormonal shift and what can she actually do about it? Dr. Ruta Nonacs is a reproductive psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Her work sits at the intersection of hormonal health and women's mental well being. 

We break down how changes across a woman's reproductive life—from PMS and PMDD to perimenopause and beyond—can affect mood, anxiety, and emotional health. Dr. Nonacs also walks us through treatment options, and when to seek help.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Ruta Nonacs: https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/14143654/Ruta-Nonacs

So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-glad-you-asked-with-dr-ruta-nonacs-and-allie-hales/id1802653992

Essential Reads:  Ovarian Suppression for the Treatment of Severe PMDD: https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/essential-reads-ovarian-suppression-for-the-treatment-of-severe-pmdd/

Chasteberry: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry

Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review: https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(16)30164-0/abstract

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

What happens to a woman's mental health when she experiences a major hormonal shift and what can she actually do about it? Dr. Ruta Nonacs is a reproductive psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. Her work sits at the intersection of hormonal health and women's mental well being.&nbsp;
We break down how changes across a woman's reproductive life&mdash;from PMS and PMDD to perimenopause and beyond&mdash;can affect mood, anxiety, and emotional health. Dr. Nonacs also walks us through treatment options, and when to seek help.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
Dr. Ruta Nonacs:&nbsp;<a href="https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/14143654/Ruta-Nonacs" data-airgap-id="10">https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/14143654/Ruta-Nonacs</a>
So Glad You Asked with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales:&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-glad-you-asked-with-dr-ruta-nonacs-and-allie-hales/id1802653992" data-airgap-id="11">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/so-glad-you-asked-with-dr-ruta-nonacs-and-allie-hales/id1802653992</a>
Essential Reads:&nbsp; Ovarian Suppression for the Treatment of Severe PMDD: <a href="https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/essential-reads-ovarian-suppression-for-the-treatment-of-severe-pmdd/" data-airgap-id="12">https://womensmentalhealth.org/posts/essential-reads-ovarian-suppression-for-the-treatment-of-severe-pmdd/</a>
Chasteberry:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry" data-airgap-id="13">https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/chasteberry</a>
Co-administration of St. John's wort and hormonal contraceptives: a systematic review:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(16)30164-0/abstract" data-airgap-id="14">https://www.contraceptionjournal.org/article/S0010-7824(16)30164-0/abstract</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding PMS and PMDD with Dr. Ruta Nonacs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bc59986a-5155-4dfe-81d5-b486016c40bc/transcript

Dr. Poynor answers listener questions about HPV, UTIs, hormone support, self breast exams, pelvic floor therapy, and GLP-1s. Plus we address several questions about the condition, PCOS, recently renamed PMOS. Joining Dr. Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute’s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O’Connor. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

HPV Vaccination: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/index.html

Women’s Perspective on Self-Breast Examination https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11069221/

Decoding Dementia Prevention with Dr. Richard Isaacson: https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/decoding-womens-health-with-dr-elizabeth-poynor/decoding-dementia-prevention-with-dr-richard-isaacson

The Tyrer-Cuzick Model: Understanding the Assessment and Your Breast Cancer Risk: https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/tyrer-cuzick-model/

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Dr. Poynor answers listener questions about HPV, UTIs, hormone support, self breast exams, pelvic floor therapy, and GLP-1s. Plus we address several questions about the condition, PCOS, recently renamed PMOS. Joining Dr. Poynor for this discussion is Atria Health Institute&rsquo;s Chief Content Officer Siobhan O&rsquo;Connor.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
HPV Vaccination:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/index.html">https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/vaccines/index.html</a>
Women&rsquo;s Perspective on Self-Breast Examination&nbsp;<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11069221/">https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11069221/</a>
Decoding Dementia Prevention with Dr. Richard Isaacson:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/decoding-womens-health-with-dr-elizabeth-poynor/decoding-dementia-prevention-with-dr-richard-isaacson">https://www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/decoding-womens-health-with-dr-elizabeth-poynor/decoding-dementia-prevention-with-dr-richard-isaacson</a>
The Tyrer-Cuzick Model: Understanding the Assessment and Your Breast Cancer Risk:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/tyrer-cuzick-model/">https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/blog/tyrer-cuzick-model/</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Your Gynecologic Questions with Siobhan O’Connor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f4dde811-76eb-4816-8fb6-b479002ac28f/transcript

Decoding Medical Marijuana with Dr. Staci Ann Gruber

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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