Ep. #18 The Neuroscience of Meditation and Cannabis w/ Dr Hilary Marusak

Posted byShane PokroyPosted inMedicine, Meditation, Neuroscience, Personal Development, Podcasts, ScienceTags:, , , , , ,

Dr. Hilary Marusak is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine and directs the THINK lab (www.wsuthinklab.com) . She is also an Adjunct Assistant. In this episode, Dr. Hilary Marusak and I discuss some of the latest neuroscientific research on how meditation affects various brain systems. Meditation has been used by humans for thousands of years as a tool for self-regulation, healing, strengthening, and resilience development. And recently, the modern scientific community has begun to investigate how meditation works, which brain systems are involved, and how it can be used therapeutically. The practice of meditation comes in many different forms, and can be applied to many different areas of a person’s life. Hilary’s research focuses primarily on how meditation affects kids, and how it can be used as a therapeutic tool for kids who are dealing with pain, illness, and emotional dysregulation. 

We also discuss some of the latest science of cannabis and how the scientific community are working towards gaining a better understanding of the relationship and interaction between cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Just as meditation has been used by humans for thousands of years, so too has cannabis played a role in many healing traditions in human history. The exact nature of how cannabis affects the body and brain is still largely unstudied and is an exciting field of research. While using cannabis for medicinal purposes has started to rise in society (with the recent legalization), there are also some risks. As the body of scientific literature develops over time, our ability to make educated and informed decisions regarding cannabis use will also increase. Hilary and I also explore some of her research into how cannabis affects the developing brain (i.e. in fetuses, children, and teenagers). While these areas of study are still relatively new, it’s an exciting time to be in this field and studying the potential benefits and risks of cannabis. 

Dr Hilary Marusak

Dr. Hilary Marusak is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine and directs the THINK lab (www.wsuthinklab.com) . She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute for Child and Family Development, a Scientific Member of the Karmanos Cancer Institute and the CURES Center, and a Science Advisor for the nonprofit organization Kids Kicking Cancer. She hosts her own podcast about the brain and brain disorders, called BrainSTEM (www.brainstempodcast.com).

Dr Hilary’s Podcast: BrainSTEM

A podcast for anyone interested in the brain or brain disorders, hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak and produced by Amanpreet and Manmeet Bhogal. Each episode interviews someone affected by a brain disorder and an expert. We cover a range of neurological & psychiatric disorders, like depression, PTSD, stroke, and Alzheimer’s. We also discuss questions like what does COVID-19 do the brain, why do we sleep, and how does the brain develop? Follow us and email us!

E29 – Your Brain on the Scroll: Kids, Screens, and the Developing Mind – brainSTEM

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and guest co-host Natalie Thurston sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Duerden, a researcher at the forefront of understanding how early life experiences shape the developing brain — with a focus on resilience, cognitive ability, and children who face adversity from the very start of life. Dr. Duerden's work spans preterm birth, ASD, and the growing science of screens and child development. Her research has consistently shown that higher screen time is linked to changes in brain development, self-regulation, sleep, and mental health — from early childhood through adolescence. In this episode, she brings that science to life in a way that's accessible, urgent, and deeply relevant for anyone raising or working with children today. We explore what's actually happening in the brain when we scroll, why it's so hard to stop, and which children may be most vulnerable. We discuss the findings from her longitudinal brain imaging studies, what happened to kids' screen time — and mental health — during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why the way screens are used matters as much as how much. We also look at whether technology can ever be protective, and what parents, educators, and policymakers urgently need to know right now. At its core, this episode is about understanding — and about giving families the tools and knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world. 🔗 Topics Covered Dr. Duerden's path to studying early adversity and brain development How excessive screen time relates to stress on the developing brain What the research really says about social media and mental health Critical developmental windows of vulnerability The brain science behind scrolling — and why we can't stop Which children are most at risk, including those with ASD or early adversity When technology can be protective or beneficial What parents, educators, and policymakers need to know now Practical guidance for healthier screen habits at home The future of the field and the biggest open questions What gets lost in the public conversation about kids and technology A message of hope and empowerment for parents and caregivers 🌿 Tune in for a grounded, science-backed, and deeply human conversation about children, resilience, and what it means to grow up in a world built around the scroll. 📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes. 🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts! 📄 Selected research from Dr. Duerden's lab: Screen time, social media & adolescent mental health: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108688 Screen time, sleep & cognition during COVID-19: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36889 📰 Op-eds & media: Burned out by smartphones — The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/drafts/273545 Left to Their Own Devices podcast (Toronto Star): https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/left-to-their-own-devices/id1840912030 The Walrus Talks at Home – Teens and Screens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJgqS9dTqs Digital Tsunami documentary (Hot Docs): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37351073/ ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. 🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience. 🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Full video episodes are also available on YouTube. 
  1. E29 – Your Brain on the Scroll: Kids, Screens, and the Developing Mind
  2. E28 – Harnessing Lived Experience: Brandon Staglin’s Mission to Transform Mental Health
  3. E27 – Hooked: Food Addiction, Ultra-Processed Diets, and the Brain
  4. E26 – Neurodiversity, ADHD, and the Future of the Brain
  5. E25 – Science Under Threat: NIH Funding Cuts and the Future of Research

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