Deconstructing Cannabis-Psychosis Research, Aquaculture Antibiotic Resistance, FDA Rejection of mRNA Flu Vaccine, and Online Health Misinformation

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026:

• Dr. Dawn demonstrates how to critically read a science paper using a widely-publicized study claiming adolescent cannabis use causes psychotic, bipolar, and anxiety disorders. She identifies multiple methodological problems: only 5.7% of Kaiser adolescents admitted cannabis use versus 11.2% in anonymous national surveys, suggesting massive underreporting; the study conflates any use with heavy use; and with 463,000 participants, trivially small differences become statistically significant but clinically meaningless. She proposes reverse causation—that prodromal schizophrenia symptoms may drive teens to self-medicate with cannabis rather than cannabis causing psychosis. The study also included "disruptive behavior disorder" diagnoses that lack rigorous criteria, and she notes diagnostic codes are sometimes chosen for insurance reimbursement rather than accuracy. While acknowledging high-dose THC before age 16 may affect brain development, she concludes the headlines claiming causation are not supported by the actual findings.
• Dr. Dawn discusses how aquaculture—now producing 60% of fish consumed globally—has become a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. More antibiotics per kilogram are used in fish farming than in any other animal agriculture, with drugs dissolving into water and sediment where bacteria develop resistance. One study found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 80% of shrimp species tested across multiple countries. Through horizontal gene transfer, these resistance genes spread to human pathogens—a 1991 Latin American cholera outbreak affecting nearly a million people may have acquired drug resistance from Ecuadorian shrimp farms.
• Dr. Dawn reports that the FDA rejected Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application without even reviewing it, despite trials of 41,000 people showing it was 27% more effective at preventing illness and 29% more effective at preventing hospitalization than existing vaccines. She attributes this to politicized anti-mRNA bias lacking scientific basis, noting that venture capital investors like Blackstone (who invested $750 million) will now avoid vaccine development, effectively handing this critical technology to other countries.
• Dr. Dawn describes the "wellness industrial complex"—pharmaceuticals, tech, testing companies, and health influencers creating content that pathologizes normal behaviors. YouTube health videos have amassed 200 billion views, and 30% of British respondents now get medical advice from AI chatbots. She cites a 400% increase in British adults seeking ADHD diagnoses, noting that analysis of top TikTok ADHD videos found less than 50% accurately reflected actual symptoms. Many influencers receive undisclosed payments to mention products, and the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer drug advertising.
• A caller asks about navigating Medicare after their Advantage plan was terminated with no local providers accepting remaining plans. Dr. Dawn explains that Medicare Advantage companies took extra government payments meant for wellness programs but didn't build them, and are now exiting markets as costs rise. She recommends contacting Gray Bears or AARP for free Medicare navigation assistance and suggests exploring regular Medicare with a secondary plan or direct-pay practices. /li>