PhD Influencers Miyabe & Riley Turn Followers Into Cannabis Study Participants: Here's Why It Matters

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP), a nonprofit organization, has embarked on what could be the most extensive community-based cannabis survey to date, focusing on the real-world applications of the plant. Collaborating with MoreBetter, creators of the Releaf App, this pioneering study is the first of its kind to inclusively and longitudinally evaluate the positive impacts of cannabis use over time.

Tyler Dautrich, COO of MoreBetter, emphasized the importance of this study. “There’s a need and opportunity to bring the cannabis community together to crowdsource better insights on the use and impact of different cannabinoids, terpenes, dosing regimens, and administration forms.”

The survey, a two-week exploration of daily cannabis use patterns, combined with a baseline questionnaire, aims to inform future collaborative research. It delves into complex issues, such as the implications of cannabis use in pregnancy, driving, pharmaceutical interactions and its effects on neurodivergent individuals.

NAP's founding members, Dr. Riley Kirk and Dr. Miyabe Shields, both holding PhDs in pharmaceutical sciences, met on TikTok and have since been pivotal figures in cannabis research. Describing their synergy, Dr. Shields remarked in a Forbes article, “We’re like the two halves of the major components of drug discovery: the molecules are Riley and I’m the target in the body.”

Their journey from researching cannabis smoke to advocating for a typically underrepresented group in scientific research is noteworthy. By sharing their experiences transparently, they aim to connect the academic research community with the cannabis consumer base.

The inaugural scientific advisory board of NAP includes both Kirk and Shields, along with other notable experts. Their initial peer-reviewed case study on rare cannabinoids for anxiety challenges conventional research norms. The current survey, gathering data from a vast cannabis user base, is set to inform and guide future impactful studies.

Furthermore, NAP has initiated a major crowdfunding campaign titled “Stoner Science Breaks the Stigma,” seeking to integrate alternative perspectives into scientific discourse. For more information or to contribute, interested parties can visit appliedpharmacognosy.org

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