{"podcast":{"title":"BIOACTIVE","slug":"bioactive-6545085","podcast_index_feed_id":6545085,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/bioactive","website_url":"https://bioactivepodcast.com/","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/1b9102fc-2359-11ef-b492-d766a942e4cd/image/aefeaefa99852c82e07c128f3e985279.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Riley D. Kirk, Ph.D.","episode_count":91,"summary":"Dr. Riley Kirk is a cannabis research scientist and educator. She obtained her Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences, specializing in natural product chemistry, studying the traditional and contemporary uses of hundreds of medicinal plants. She is currently an assistant associate professor at the University of Rhode Island, has worked as an immunology scientist in the biotech industry, and works in the cannabis industry studying the chemical complexity of cannabis smoke. Riley is also the co-founder of the cannabis research and education non-profit organization called the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy (NAP). Through NAP and on her podcast, Riley uses science as advocacy to research and communicate findings that highlight the unique power of natural products. The goal of Riley’s work is to unite people in the Cannabis industry, academia, and consumers to further the reach of Cannabis education and reduce harm. Riley is passionate about making Cannabis science accessible through social media channels and alternative media which lead to Bioactive; an educational podcast which disseminates the chemistry and pharmacology of natural products. On this bi-weekly podcast, she covers current…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-31T08:18:58.543133+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085"},"episode":{"title":"How Fast-Acting Products Actually Work with Harold Han, PhD","slug":"how-fast-acting-products-actually-work-with-harold-han-phd","published_at":"2026-02-20T23:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085/how-fast-acting-products-actually-work-with-harold-han-phd","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085","url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/8355482824/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/SOMC3456634488.mp3?updated=1772292791","audio_url":"https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/8355482824/pscrb.fm/rss/p/prfx.byspotify.com/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/SOMC3456634488.mp3?updated=1772292791","summary":"Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Harold Han, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Vertosa to explore the fascinating world of the science powering modern cannabis beverages and infused products. Known in the industry as “The Happy Chemist,” Dr. Han explains how emulsion technology solves the classic oil-and-water problem that makes cannabinoids difficult to incorporate into drinks. The conversation breaks down how water-compatible cannabinoids are created, why droplet size and consistency matter for potency and onset, and how stability challenges differ between beverages and gummies. They explore oxidation rates of major cannabinoids, packaging risks like “scalping” from can liners, and new patented approaches to preserving potencyin infused drinks. They also examine the full beverage development pipeline, from cannabinoids and infusion technology to formulation, manufacturing, testing, and distribution, highlighting the many points where potency and quality can be affected. Dr. Han clarifies the difference between nano and micro emulsions, why most commercial cannabis drinks use nano systems, and how natural emulsifiers influence formulation choices. The discussion further explores how the human body processes emulsified cannabinoids, why food (especially fat) changes edible effects, and how fast-acting beverages work at a physiological level. They discuss new human research initiatives, patient applications such as consistent dosing without sugar or smoke, and how standardized emulsions could transform both clinical research and at-home use. Looking ahead, Dr. Han shares insights on full-plant formulations, the future of cannabis as a precise delivery system for medicine, and the role of science-driven innovation in making cannabinoids more accessible, consistent, and…","meta_description":"Dr. Riley Kirk welcomes Dr. Harold Han, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of Vertosa to explore the fascinating world of the science powering modern ca…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3465,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/bioactive-6545085/episodes/how-fast-acting-products-actually-work-with-harold-han-phd/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/bioactive-6545085/how-fast-acting-products-actually-work-with-harold-han-phd.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}