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

Kyla de Clifford
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Alternative Health

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. 1d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 22

    49 - My Daughter, The Plant, and the Anxiety That Followed with Kyla de Clifford and Ruby Skues.

    This episode is a little more personal than usual. Today, I’m sitting down with my daughter, Ruby and we’re having a conversation I’ve been quietly avoiding for a while. Because while I spend my life educating people about the plant… Ruby had an experience that changed her relationship with it completely. We talk about: what it’s like growing up with a parent in this spacethe stigma that still exists (especially in younger years)her first experiences with cannabisand the moment everything shifted after a difficult “greening” experienceBut this isn’t just about one night. It’s about what came after the anxiety, the fear of it happening again, and how that feeling can linger long after the plant has left your system. We also explore: why edibles can hit differently (and sometimes unexpectedly)the importance of dose, timing, and environmenthow CBD can be used as a harm reduction tooland what honest, open conversations about drugs actually look like in real lifeThis episode isn’t here to convince you of anything. It’s here to show the nuance that the plant isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that education, safety, and self-awareness matter more than anything else. If you’ve ever had an experience that didn’t feel right…or you’re navigating this with your kids, your friends, or even yourself this conversation is for you. IN THIS EPISODE Growing up around cannabis: stigma, secrecy, and shifting perspectivesFirst experiences with the plant (and expectations vs reality)What “greening out” actually feels likeHow one experience can lead to ongoing anxietyThe difference between THC and CBD (in real-life terms)Why edibles require a completely different approachHarm reduction: what we wish more people were taughtThe gap between school education and real-world drug useNavigating this as both a parent and a young adultA NOTE FROM KYLA This one stretched me. It’s one thing to talk about the benefits of the plant it’s another to sit across from your daughter and hear how it impacted her in a way you didn’t expect. If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it. You can find more conversations like this at Canna Curious — where we explore the plant with curiosity, not assumption. "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.

    43 min

  7. Apr 14

    48 - When Pain Starts at 13: Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia & Fighting to Be Heard with Grace Ker.

    In this episode of Canna Curious, Kyla sits down with Grace Ker to explore her deeply personal journey with endometriosis and fibromyalgia,  a story that began at just 13 years old and unfolded into years of chronic pain, medical intervention, and self-advocacy.  Grace shares what it was like to: Be dismissed in early medical appointmentsNavigate multiple treatments, including hormonal therapies and surgeryEnter medical menopause as a teenagerExperience chronic, debilitating pain that conventional treatments couldn’t resolveLater develop fibromyalgia following burnout and physical stressThe conversation also explores how alternative approaches  including Chinese medicine and plant-based therapies  played a role in symptom management, and how Grace learned to trust her intuition in a system that often didn’t listen.  This episode is as much about emotional resilience as it is about physical health — touching on identity loss, grief, and what it means to rebuild your life when your body changes. Key Topics Early onset endometriosis and symptom dismissalChronic pain and the limits of conventional treatmentMedical menopause in adolescenceFibromyalgia onset and full-body painOpioids vs alternative approachesThe role of the nervous system in pain perceptionPlant-based medicine and symptom regulationSelf-advocacy in healthcareGrief, identity, and chronic illnessThe importance of education and body literacy🌿 Resources & Links Grace Ker on Instagram: @spencergreenRecommended Chinese Medicine Practitioner: Richard Best, Chinese Medicine House of Natural Health HendraSupport the podcast: Buy me a coffee!From Kyla This episode really stayed with me. There’s something about hearing a story like Grace’s that reminds you how many women are navigating pain quietly… and how often they’re told it’s normal. It’s not. And conversations like this are how we start changing that. "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.

    38 min

  8. Apr 1

    47 - I’m Tired of How We Talk About Cannabis with Kyla de Clifford.

    Somewhere along the way, the conversation around cannabis got… distorted. Depending on who you listen to, it’s either: dangerous and life-ruining or a cure for everything. And neither of those are helpful. In this episode, I unpack the gap between those extremes and why so many people are still confused, even with more access, more products, and more information than ever before. Because the issue isn’t the plant. Maybe its body autonomy and intention. What I cover: Why cannabis is still misunderstood (just in a different way)The shift from fear → hype (and why both miss the point)The role of context: nervous system, stress, environmentWhy people think they’re “doing it wrong”The gap between clinical messaging and real-life useWhy more information hasn’t led to better outcomesJournaling + tracking A beautiful journal for handwriting and keeping with your stash https://www.rubymarybotanicals.com.au/products/cycles-journal Australian designed and decentralised - Online app tracking with @ontrackaapp  "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.

    14 min
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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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