304. Can Cannabis Make Exercise Easier?

After six years and more than 300 episodes, host Ellen Scanlon is pausing How to Do the Pot. In this special episode, she shares why — and what’s ahead. Ellen breaks down what’s shifting in cannabis and podcasting, from the ban on intoxicating hemp to the podcast industry’s move toward video and bigger-budget shows. She also revisits the episodes that defined the show, including: The Sleep Series The Menopause 101 series with Dr. Lauren Streicher The Webby-nominated series on the AIDS crisis and medical cannabis Weed & Workouts Ellen talks about the topics she’s exploring next — women’s health, menopause, changing views on alcohol, and AI — and why they’re showing up in so many of the conversations women are having right now. While the podcast is pausing, the conversation isn’t - you can still follow along with Ellen on Substack at https://dothepot.substack.com/. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

After years of unexplained illness, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon finally found answers. In this episode, she shares what helped her recover from mold illness, and what testing and treatment really look like — with Ariana Thacker, founder and CEO of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). In this episode, you’ll hear: • Testing, simplified: which lab markers matter, what dust and home tests reveal, and when to test the home versus the person • Treatment in the real world: from prescription binders to nasal sprays to VIP peptides — what’s actually helping patients heal • Costs and access: why traditional care often misses mold and how new virtual models are making treatment more affordable • Recovery isn’t linear: what setbacks can look like and how to rebuild trust in your body after illness “By seeing you here today and as healthy as you are now, I think it gives a lot of patients a lot of hope.” — Ariana Thacker, MoldCo This episode continues a powerful conversation about an overlooked illness that may affect one in four people. It offers practical insights, real hope, and a path forward for anyone living with relentless fatigue, brain fog, or mysterious symptoms that just won’t go away. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In one of her most personal episodes yet, How to Do the Pot host Ellen Scanlon opens up about her years-long experience with mold toxicity — a hidden condition that affects millions but is often overlooked by traditional medicine. Ellen was inspired to create this episode after meeting Ariana Thacker, the founder of MoldCo, the first virtual clinic focused on mold-related illness and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS). Together, they explore the science, the symptoms, and the path to recovery. In part 1, you’ll hear:  Ariana’s story of getting sick from hidden mold and how it led to the creation of MoldCo. Ellen’s experience uncovering mold exposure and what she’s learned along the way. New insights and treatments helping people heal from mold and other chronic inflammatory illnesses.This episode sheds light on a growing health issue that may impact one in four people, and offers hope for anyone living with relentless fatigue, brain fog, or mysterious symptoms that just won’t go away. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Curious about trying a cannabis drink instead of reaching for alcohol? This episode of How to Do the Pot is your quick, no-stress guide. Host Ellen Scanlon shares what she’s learned from being soberish and counts down the top 3 questions women ask about low-dose cannabis drinks as an alcohol alternative. You’ll learn: 1. How to start slow with THC drinks — including the best first dose and timing — with tips from Katie Nessel, aka Soberish Mom. 2. What the buzz feels like and how long it lasts compared to alcohol, with insight from Anita Loomba of Cycling Frog. 3. Easy swaps and simple rituals that make THC seltzers a fun, approachable option for socializing, winding down, or joining Sober October. If you’re curious about cannabis drinks for women or looking for a practical, alcohol-free option, this episode is your cheat sheet.  Want a FREE DRINK? Cycling Frog is offering you a free cannabis seltzer, in Ruby Grapefruit, Black Currant, or Wild Cherry flavor. Just pay $2 shipping. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Are you or someone you love looking for safer ways to ease pain—especially the kind that keeps you from moving or exercising? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Anna Symonds, a former elite rugby player who first discovered the pain-relief benefits of cannabis after years of sports injuries, and Dr. Deondra Asike, an anesthesiologist and pain-management specialist. You’ll hear Anna’s firsthand story of shifting away from prescription painkillers, and Dr. Asike’s clear explanation of how cannabinoids work in the body’s pain pathways—and why cannabis is often a safer option than opioids. We also look at the bigger picture: why chronic pain sidelines millions of Americans, the risks of relying on opioids, and how more athletes and doctors are leading a move toward plant-based recovery options. Liked this episode? Try these: 304. Can Cannabis Actually Make Exercise Easier? 306. Practical Tips from Cannabis Experts on Exercise & Recovery Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Tired of feeling sluggish, anxious, or short-tempered after drinking? In Part 2 of host Ellen Scanlon’s conversation with Katie Nessel, better known as Soberish Mom on Instagram, you’ll hear realistic ways to cut back without strict rules or guilt. Katie shares the mindset shift that reframed everything for her: “what did you gain last night by drinking, and what did you lose?” She explains why counting the drinks you didn’t have can be more motivating than focusing on slip-ups, and how progress over perfection makes long-term change possible. We also talk about the bigger cultural moment—why moms are leading the shift away from “mommy wine culture,” how new health data about alcohol is reshaping the conversation, and what real support looks like when you want to drink less. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: @dothepot Just in time for Sober October, Cycling Frog is offering you a FREE THC seltzer, in Ruby Grapefruit, Black Currant, or Wild Cherry flavor. Just pay $2 shipping.  Want to drink less but don't know where to start? Follow ⁠Katie Nessel, Soberish Mom, on IG⁠ ⁠Learn more at her website⁠.

More and more women are rethinking their relationship with drinking — not by going completely sober, but by finding their own middle ground. In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Katie Nessel, the woman behind Soberish Mom, the hugely popular blog and Instagram account that’s reshaping how women think about alcohol, motherhood, and everyday rituals. Katie shares how the nightly glass of wine became her “easy button,” why she started to question it, and the small shifts that helped her sleep better, feel calmer, and show up with more patience as a mom. If you’re looking for an alternative to alcohol, Cycling Frog is offering you a free THC seltzer — Ruby Grapefruit, Black Currant, or Wild Cherry. Here’s the link, and the flavors are all so tasty! Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to drink less but don't know where to start? Follow Katie Nessel, Soberish Mom, on IG Learn more at her website.

What if cannabis could really help you enjoy working out? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with women who know cannabis inside and out — and use that expertise to improve their workouts, recover faster, and make movement something they look forward to. From running and yoga to hiking and Pilates, you’ll hear practical tips and real stories about how low-dose cannabis can ease stress, reduce pain, and bring more joy to exercise.  Guests include Christine Apple, Hilary Achauer, Anna Symonds, Danielle Simone Brand, Dominique White, Thai Richards, Evelyn Eames, Tara Misu, Tekisha Harvey, and Diana Sanmiguel. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if the next drink you cracked open didn’t come with a hangover? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon talks with Anita Loomba, Senior Marketing Director at Cycling Frog, about the fast-growing world of THC seltzers. We get into what first-time drinkers should know, how these bubbly cannabis beverages compare to alcohol, and why so many women are swapping wine or cocktails for something lighter, calmer, and a lot of fun. Plus, a special treat just for our listeners: Cycling Frog is giving you a free THC seltzer!  If you’re ready to see what THC drinks are all about, now is the time to try Cycling Frog’s seltzers. You can pick from Black Currant, Ruby Grapefruit, or Wild Cherry, and just pay $2 shipping.  Click here for your FREE DRINK from Cycling Frog! It’s the perfect way to taste and find your favorite flavor without buying a whole pack. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Can cannabis actually make exercise easier? In this episode, host Ellen Scanlon is joined by journalist Hilary Achauer, who explored that very question in The New York Times. What she found challenges stereotypes and reveals how cannabis can lower barriers to movement — especially for women. Hilary shares stories of women who discovered that cannabis helped them ease chronic pain, quiet anxiety, and even reframe exercise from punishment into joy.  Read “Can Weed Improve a Workout” by Hilary Achauer In this episode: Why cannabis consumers may actually be more active than the general population. How cannabis can help women move through pain and anxiety. The connection between cannabis, body image, and exercise recovery. The surprising science behind the “runner’s high” and your endocannabinoid system. Hosted by Ellen Scanlon Sign up for Ellen’s newsletter on Substack at or at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dothepot.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / FB: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dothepot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠