Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 minutes ago

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Cannabis is a plant medicine that can do so much for one’s health when it’s grown properly and used very wisely.

Expert and educator Ryan Sprague explores the chemistry behind what makes cannabis work and explains why judging its quality solely on how much THC it contains is a very bad idea this week on Spirit Gym.

Learn more about Ryan and his work on his Highly Optimized website at highlyoptimized.com/my-story and on social media via Instagram at instagram.com/therealryansprague and instagram.com/highly.optimized/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D and YouTube at youtube.com/@Therealryansprague . Listen to Ryan’s Highly Optimized podcast on Apple Podcasts at podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/highly-optimized/id1498263212 or wherever you listen to them.

For Spirit Gym listeners: The Sacred Smoke Collective is a private membership association where you can shop for its organic tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) offerings. Save 10 percent on any purchase at this website and a mystery gift by using the promo code paulchek at sacredsmokecollective.com/ally/paulchek . Also, sign up for the Sacred Smoke Collective’s affiliate program at sacredsmokecollective.com/affiliate-registration/ally/paulchek . (Special offers from Spirit Gym guests are time-sensitive and at their discretion to redeem after 30 days.)

Listen to Paul's conversation with Ryan Sprague and check out the show notes page on our Spirit Gym website at paulchek.com/blog/podcast-episodes/387-what-makes-cannabis-medicine-versus-just-getting-high-with-ryan-sprague or watch the entire episode on YouTube at youtu.be/W89N9gUU9_Y?si=JXroJFXb8m96FP8m

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