According to a recent study, the use of nicotine pouches among high schoolers has doubled in just one year. In today's episode, I discuss the reasons why this trend is concerning, what nicotine pouches are, and how to talk to your young person about them.

Have you ever wanted to express concern about your loved one's drinking or other substance use but were afraid of upsetting them or stirring up conflict? If so you're not alone - most people avoid these types of conversations for those very reasons. In this episode, I introduce 3 scientifically based tips to help you talk with your loved one in ways that position you as an ally with your loved ones and helps them open up to you. These tips are based on effective therapy techniques, but you don't need to be a therapist to use them

How can you tell when someone is losing control over their drinking or drug use? In this episode I provide an overview of the clearest signs to look for, whether in yourself or someone you care about.

Addiction has a profound effect on the family. This has been the focus of many memoirs, media coverage of public figures with addiction, and importantly, of research into effective treatments - the long and short is, family members need guidance, scientifically grounded advice, and support to navigate the ups and downs of loving someone with this illness. In this episode, I share 3 key facts and recommendations to individuals who love or care about someone with addiction.

Many people use cannabis medicinally, especially now that it's so widely available. Using cannabis for this purpose can be very helpful, yet many people are unaware of which conditions it has been well studied for, and which conditions it might be less helpful for or could even worsen with heavy use. In this week's episode I provide a brief overview of the current science and regulatory approvals for medicinal cannabis.

According to recent research, there are serious health risks related to cannabis use, including premature death. As increasing evidence points to health complications of cannabis use, there is one theme threaded throughout - these adverse effects are observed among people who use frequently and heavily and develop a cannabis use disorder. Today I discuss how and why we understand cannabis to be an addictive drug, and what you can do about it if you or someone you care about is addicted to cannabis.

With new research emerging on the potential for GLP-1 agonists to treat addiction, this episode answers some of the questions that the recent headlines bring up for those who are trying to overcome their addictions or looking for answers for their loved ones. How do GLP-1s work? What does the research on GLP-1s for addiction tell us? Can you get a prescription for Ozempic or another GLP-1 agonist for addiction today?

Alcohol is the third most preventable cause of cancer, behind tobacco and being overweight. The Surgeon General has recently recommended steps to raise awareness of the alcohol-cancer connection, including the use of warning labels on alcohol-containing beverages. In this episode, you'll learn about the science behind the alcohol-cancer connection, the types of cancer that are linked with drinking, and what you need to know to inform your decisions about your own drinking habits.