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

Kyla de Clifford

A podcast exploring medicinal cannabis, plant-based healing, and women’s health. Host Kyla de Clifford shares real stories, expert insights, and conscious conversations about chronic pain, nervous system support, advocacy, and natural medicine. For curious minds redefining healing. Note: Canna Curious is an independent educational podcast. Content is for general information only and does not promote or advertise any therapeutic goods. Always talk to a qualified health professional about your individual circumstances.

  1. 4d ago

    57 - What If We've Been Talking to Women All Wrong? With Kyla de Clifford.

    For decades, women have been expected to fit into healthcare systems that were never really designed with us in mind. This week I'm sharing the story that made me realise the gap in women's health research isn't just a cannabis problem, it's a women's health problem. From being prescribed Stilnox before anyone understood how differently women metabolised it, to the everyday conversations I have with women who apologise before asking a simple question, this episode explores what happens when we stop assuming and start listening. I also share why I've launched an international survey asking women how they actually want to be spoken to about medicinal cannabis, what I hope to do with the results, and why I believe listening might be the most powerful form of advocacy we have. Plus: Why women have historically been underrepresented in medical researchThe NSW driving law debate—and how not to get distracted from the bigger pictureThis week's Wellness Field Note on learning to truly listenDating updates, gummies gone wrong, and why I might soon be answering to "Mistress Kyla."Resources 📝 Help shape the future of cannabis education for women Complete the How Women Want to Be Spoken To About Cannabis survey here:  📣 Want to support cannabis law reform? Download my guide with the next steps you can take to support cannabis legalisation and fair driving laws. This weeks episode is supported by Azure Health www.azurehealth.com.au @azurehealth If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you left a review, shared it with a friend, or tagged me on social media. Every conversation helps break stigma and bring us one step closer to better education for women. "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    26 min
  2. Jun 10

    56 - Five Cannabis Red Flags I See Every Week with Kyla de Clifford.

    Are you using cannabis intentionally, or just hoping for the best? This week, I'm sharing five cannabis red flags I see every week from chasing higher THC percentages to forgetting that sometimes the body changes, not the medicine. Along the way, we explore curiosity, relationships, discipline, and why questioning assumptions might be one of the most important skills we can develop. This week on Canna Curious, Kyla explores the power of curiosity, questioning assumptions, and why some of the biggest mistakes people make with medicinal cannabis have nothing to do with the plant itself.  Kyla shares her thoughts on the proposed NSW medicinal cannabis driving law reforms and why understanding how political change happens may be more productive than simply getting angry online. She also reflects on a recent slide in discipline, a five-kilo weight gain, and her plan to get back to the habits that keep her feeling her best.  The conversation then moves into a discussion sparked by last week's ethical non-monogamy episode and the bigger question it raised: How many of our beliefs have we actually chosen for ourselves? From relationships and marriage to medicine and wellness, Kyla explores the importance of questioning inherited ideas and staying curious enough to change your mind when the evidence asks you to.  In This Episode NSW medicinal cannabis driving law changesHow to influence political changeDiscipline, habits and getting back on trackEthical non-monogamy and inherited beliefsCuriosity as a tool for better decision-makingFive common cannabis red flagsTHC, CBD and treatment goalsTracking patterns and symptom changesWhy tolerance breaks matterWater scrying explainedThe value of stillness and reflectionPlus, in this week's Kyla's Wellness Field Notes, Kyla experiments with an ancient practice called water scrying—a reflective practice involving a bowl of water, a candle, and ten minutes of uninterrupted stillness. No psychic powers were unlocked. But a little clarity might have been. Azure Health  Feeling confused? Wondering what “alternative healthcare” actually means? Or what kinds of treatments we offer to eligible patients? Or how pricing works after your first consult? If things seem unclear, it’s largely due to the regulatory guidelines we must follow within our healthcare industry. That’s why we encourage you to get in touch in whatever way suits you for an upfront and confidential conversation. Azure Health https://azurehealth.com.au/cannacurious How to effect Change in a Bill -  NSW driving. https://cannacuriouscomau.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/nsw-medicinal-cannabis-driving-reform_-what-patients-should-do-right-now-3.pdf "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    23 min
  3. Jun 3

    55 - Dry Vaginas, Cannabis & Ethical Non-Monogamy with Kyla de Clifford.

    This week on Canna Curious, Kyla de Clifford explores the world of magnesium supplements, including Magnesium Glycinate, Magnesium Citrate and Magnesium L-Threonate, and whether they actually help with sleep, stress and brain fog. We also answer a listener question about medicinal cannabis suppositories, discuss the role of the endocannabinoid system in women's health, endometriosis and pelvic pain, and unpack why language matters when we talk about taking versus using medicinal cannabis. Plus, a personal reflection on dating, ethical non-monogamy (ENM) and relationships in midlife. In This Episode Magnesium for sleep, anxiety and brain fogMagnesium Glycinate vs Citrate vs L-ThreonateMedicinal cannabis suppositories explainedThe endocannabinoid system and women's healthEndometriosis, pelvic pain and cannabinoidsTaking vs using medicinal cannabisDating and ethical non-monogamy after 50Resources Endocannabinoid System & Women's HealthMagnesium Supplement GuideWomen's Health & Pelvic Pain ResourcesConnect Got a question for the show? Send it through and it may feature in a future episode of Canna Curious. Resources & Links Azure Health (Sponsor) https://azurehealth.com.au/cannacuriousEndocannabinoid System & Women's Health Endocannabinoid receptors in the reproductive systemEndocannabinoid Endocannabinoids in Endometriosispodcast episode explaining the ECSSuppositories My CBD suppository recipeCannabis and PerimenopauseMagnesium Useful resource explaining: Magnesium Glycinate (may be best for sleep)Magnesium Citrate (Constipation)Magnesium L-Threonate (Brain Fog)Connect With Kyla Instagram: @cannacuriousau"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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    24 min
  4. May 27

    54 - I Don't Feel Like Myself Anymore: Women, Hormones & Cannabis with Dr. Shabnam Sarshar.

    What if one of the earliest signs of perimenopause isn't missing periods… but simply feeling like you don't quite feel like yourself anymore? This week on Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with Dr. Shabnam Sarshar — researcher, scientist and passionate advocate for better conversations around women's health and cannabinoid science. From growing up in Iran and unexpectedly moving to Germany for her PhD, through to becoming deeply immersed in women's health research, Dr. Shabnam shares her story and unpacks the fascinating relationship between hormones, the endocannabinoid system and why so many women spend years feeling dismissed, confused or wondering what is happening to their bodies. Plus, Kyla returns with another instalment of Kyla's Wellness Field Notes, where she volunteers herself as tribute and investigates magnesium... with mixed success. In this episode: • Dr. Shabnam's journey from Iran to Germany  • Traditional herbal medicine and modern science  • Why women’s health research has historically been overlooked  • The impact of stigma in cannabinoid science  • Perimenopause and the "I don't feel like myself anymore" feeling  • The relationship between hormones and the endocannabinoid system  • Why mood, pain and sleep suddenly shift  • Omega-3s, inflammation and nutrition  • Exercise as medicine  • Learning to advocate for yourself in healthcare  • Female sexual health and cannabinoid research Find Dr. Shabnam Sarshar LinkedIn Substack: The Recalibration Also mentioned Claude from Satinca Rachel Payne MP Connect with Canna Curious Instagram: @cannacuriousaus TikTok: @cannacuriousau This episode is supported by Azure Health.  www.azurehealth.com/cannacurious If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it. "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    37 min
  5. May 20

    53 - I Forgot to Press Record…Also Let's Talk Minor Cannabinoids with Kyla de Clifford.

    Everyone talks about THC and CBD… but what about the rest of the plant family? In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla dives into the world of minor cannabinoids — the tiny compounds quietly hanging around in the background that researchers are becoming increasingly interested in. From CBG (the organised mum of the family) to CBN (the sleep celebrity) and THCV ("diet weed"), we unpack what we know, what we don't know yet, and why these compounds may matter especially for things like inflammation, mood, sleep, metabolism and brain fog. Plus: Kyla launches a brand-new segment — Wellness Field Notes — where she volunteers herself as tribute and tries the wellness trends the internet keeps throwing at us. Also included: A podcast recording disaster (yes... forgetting to press record)Thoughts on navigating perimenopause with cannabinoidsDating app adventures and Bumble chaosWhy sometimes being single actually feels pretty greatIn this episode: What minor cannabinoids actually are  CBG and brain fog  CBN and sleep: hype vs reality  THCV and metabolism research  CBC and the entourage effect  THCA + CBDA explained  Wellness Field Notes  Dating app updates nobody asked for Link to cannabinoid descriptions  Connect with me Instagram: @cannacuriousaus  TikTok: @cannacuriousau Questions, stories or topic ideas? Send me a message — I love hearing from you. "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    23 min
  6. May 12

    52 - Feedback, Femininity & Failed T-Breaks with Kyla de Clifford.

    This episode marks the beginning of a new era for the podcast, one that feels more intimate, reflective, and human. After conversations with an award-winning producer and some unexpectedly confronting feedback from people closest to her, Kyla opens up about why she’s evolving the format of the show. This season will still bring evidence-based education around cannabis, women’s health, hormones and the nervous system… but with more space for lived experience, cultural conversations, wellness experiments, personal stories and honest reflections. In this episode Kyla talks about: Why the podcast format is changingThe feedback that challenged her creativelyDoing everything alone as a creator and educatorThe emotional side of receiving constructive criticismWomen, perfectionism and vulnerabilityReturning home from Nimbin and deciding to attempt a tolerance breakWhat tolerance breaks actually areWhy tolerance breaks can sometimes failThe relationship between stress, nervous system load and cannabis useLearning to approach wellness with curiosity instead of perfectionDownload my Free 21 Day Tolerance Break Guide  Thanks for being here for the evolution of Canna Curious. This episode of the podcast is supported by Azure Health. http://azurehealth.com.au/cannacurious @azurehealth "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    20 min
  7. May 8

    51 - No Placebo, Just Proof: What Animals Reveal About Cannabinoids with Emma Delaney.

    In this episode, Kyla sits down with pharmacist-turned-veterinary cannabinoid specialist Emma Delaney to explore the rapidly emerging world of cannabinoid therapies for animals. From chronic pain and anxiety to seizures and palliative care, cannabinoids are increasingly being used in veterinary medicine—but the real insight comes from something deeper: animals don’t have a placebo effect. This conversation unpacks what that means for how we understand cannabis, the endocannabinoid system, and therapeutic outcomes in animals. What We Cover Why animals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) just like humansThe key difference: why dogs are more sensitive to THCCBD vs full spectrum vs isolate—what it meansCommon conditions treated in animals:Chronic pain (e.g. osteoarthritis)Anxiety (especially post-COVID separation anxiety)SeizuresSkin conditions (like atopic dermatitis) What to do if your pet accidentally consumes THCThe role of CBD as a potential “buffer” or antidoteWhy journaling your pet’s behaviour is criticalDosing principles: start low, go slowWhat animals can teach us about:Placebo vs real effectObservable outcomes Important Notes Always speak to a qualified veterinarian before giving your pet any cannabinoid productAnimals are more sensitive, particularly to THC Resources & Links Research Papers Is cannabidiol (CBD) effective to ease separation anxiety?  Efficacy and safety of cannabidiol for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal intervention studies  Daily dosing of cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a positive effect on measures of stress in dogs during repeated exposure to car travel Scientific Validation of Cannabidiol for Management of Dog and Cat Diseases Learn more about Emma’s work Website: kindredcbd.com.auInstagram: @kindredcbdNEW* Kindred has offered a discount on their take home range use the code KYLA10  This episode of the Canna Curious Podcast is bought to you by Azure Health https://azurehealth.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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    27 min
  8. Apr 29

    50 - From Opioids to the Plant: A Story of Survival with Debi Wimberley.

    What happens when the system you trusted… walks away? In today’s episode, I sit down with Debi Wimberley — a former oncology professional who went on to live with one of the most severe chronic pain conditions imaginable. For years, Debi was prescribed high-dose opioids to manage her pain. Then, almost overnight, that support was removed,  with no real plan, no transition, and no safety net. What followed wasn’t just withdrawal. It was a complete unraveling… and then a rebuilding. This conversation explores what it looks like to navigate pain, autonomy, and healing when you’re forced to take your health into your own hands — and how the plant became part of that process. This isn’t a simple “before and after” story. It’s complex. It’s messy. And it’s incredibly important. What We Cover Debi’s early work in oncology — and first exposure to the plant before the ECS was even discoveredLiving with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) — one of the most severe chronic pain conditionsLong-term opioid prescribing and what high-dose use actually looks likeThe abrupt withdrawal of care during the opioid crisis — and what that means for patientsWhy regulation without education creates harmNavigating cannabis with no clinical guidanceTrial, error, and real-world patient experimentationUnderstanding the endocannabinoid system in practiceReducing polypharmacy (25+ medications)The shift from outsourcing health → reclaiming body autonomyA Note on This Episode This episode discusses chronic pain, opioid use, and medical system failures. Debi’s story is her own lived experience.  It is not a universal outcome, and it’s not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you’re navigating medication changes or chronic health conditions, please seek support from a qualified healthcare professional. Resources & Further Learning Endocannabinoid System basics https://effectivecannabis.com/about-effective-cannabis/You can find Debi @debwimberley  🌿 Support the Podcast If this episode resonated with you… and you want to support the work behind Canna Curious: You can buy me a coffee  (or realistically… help fund more conversations like this) "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. Sovereign Creator • https://sovereigncreator.io 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.

    45 min

About

A podcast exploring medicinal cannabis, plant-based healing, and women’s health. Host Kyla de Clifford shares real stories, expert insights, and conscious conversations about chronic pain, nervous system support, advocacy, and natural medicine. For curious minds redefining healing. Note: Canna Curious is an independent educational podcast. Content is for general information only and does not promote or advertise any therapeutic goods. Always talk to a qualified health professional about your individual circumstances.

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