Episode 354: Unveiling the Risks: THC Addiction and the Impact of High-Potency Cannabis with Dr Mitrevolis
The Addicted Mind Podcast
Duane Osterlind, LMFT
4.7 • 655 Ratings
🗓️ 6 October 2025
⏱️ 35 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Dr. Gary Mitrevolis, a seasoned expert in addiction medicine, joins us for a critical conversation on cannabis and THC addiction, especially as we face the rising tide of high-potency THC products. With cannabis legalization expanding and THC concentrations soaring to unprecedented levels, Dr. Mitrevolis shares his extensive insights into the mental and physical health risks this trend poses. We discuss why understanding these impacts is vital for effectively addressing the evolving challenges in addiction treatment, particularly in states like California where exposure to high-THC products is more prevalent.
Our exploration takes a closer look at the adolescent brain, where we uncover the troubling effects of THC on dopamine production and motivation. Chronic cannabis use during these formative years can lead to devastating consequences, including an alarming drop in IQ and an increased risk of psychosis, especially for those with a family history of mental health disorders. Dr. Mitrevolis highlights that while current data might not differentiate between THC potency levels or consumption methods, ongoing research promises deeper insights that will guide future prevention and treatment strategies.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Exploration of rising THC potency and its implications for addiction and health.
- Insights from Dr. Gary Mitrevolis on the mental and physical risks of high-THC cannabis.
- Discussion on cannabis' impact on adolescent brain development, motivation, and IQ.
- Examination of cannabis legalization and potential reclassification to a Schedule III substance.
- Debunking myths about the safety of natural substances, highlighting cardiovascular risks.
- Challenges and strategies for managing cannabis withdrawal and recovery.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Addicted Mind podcast. |
| 0:09.8 | I'm your host, Dwayne Austerland, and it is a privilege to have Dr. Gary Mitrovolos with me. |
| 0:16.1 | Dr. Mitrovolos brings a wealth of knowledge to this conversation today. |
| 0:20.2 | He earned his Bachelor of Science |
| 0:22.9 | in toxicology with honors from the University of Toronto in 2000 and his doctor of medicine |
| 0:28.6 | from St. George's University, where he joined the Loda Epsilon Alpha Honor Society. He completed |
| 0:35.4 | his internal medicine residency at Upstate Medical University |
| 0:39.1 | in Syracuse, New York. After working as a hospitalist in Dover, New Hampshire, where he |
| 0:44.8 | witnessed the impact of addiction, he pursued a fellowship in addiction medicine at Maine Medical |
| 0:50.1 | Center and later served as an addiction medicine specialist for California's correctional |
| 0:56.0 | health care services. Dr. Mitravolos is now the medical director at Laguna Treatment Center. |
| 1:03.0 | And today, we're going to have a really important discussion about a topic that I really |
| 1:07.5 | think needs more light. We're going to talk about cannabis and THC addiction. |
| 1:13.5 | And with the rising potency of THC, we're seeing some alarming trends and research coming out. |
| 1:20.4 | So Dr. Mitrovolos will help us understand the science behind it, including the profound impacts |
| 1:27.3 | THC can have on the brain and the science behind it, including the profound impacts THC can have on the brain and the |
| 1:31.8 | unintended consequences for both mental and physical health. I believe this conversation is one |
| 1:38.8 | that's going to offer you a lot of clarity and a lot of hope as well. Now, if you find value in what we're doing here |
| 1:45.9 | at the Addicted Mind podcast, the simplest way to support us is by rating and reviewing the show |
| 1:51.5 | in your podcast app. Your feedback truly helps others find this community. And thank you, |
| 1:58.9 | everyone who has taken the time and moment to do that. Now, let's begin this community. And thank you everyone who has taken the time and moment to do that. |
| 2:02.5 | Now, let's begin this conversation with Dr. Gary Mitrovolus. |
... |
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