Every Brain Matters is a community of support and advocacy based on science and live experiences. Join us as we find freedom from marijuana and the drug culture expansion.
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Mar-Anon Family Group is a fellowship of those affected by another person’s marijuana use and is independent of Every Brain Matters. To view, Mar-Anon meetings, go to: mar-anon.com/meetings/
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Monthly Speakers Meeting- Kristen Gilliland, Ph.D.
In this new era of commercial marijuana, families need support and hope. Please join us on the 2nd Wednesday of every month for messages of healing from the impacts of marijuana and the expanding drug crisis. There will be a Q&A at the end of each meeting. This meeting may be recorded at the presenter’s discretion.
This month, we feature Dr. Kristine M. Gilliland.
Kristen earned her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado, Boulder in Organic Chemistry. She later served as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo where she taught Organic Chemistry, Neurochemistry, and the Chemistry of Drugs and Poisons. After Kristen’s 17-year-old son, Anders, developed schizophrenia – which was most likely associated with high-potency (THC) cannabis use in his early teens – Kristen joined the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery at Vanderbilt University (2018). At Vanderbilt, she researched new antipsychotic treatments for schizophrenia. During that same year, Kristen delivered a TEDx presentation titled Rewiring Revolution: Neuroplasticity’s Impact on Wellbeing. Tragically, Kristen lost her son to an accidental overdose in 2019 after his mental health severely declined, and he became addicted to opioids and stimulants.
Two years after her devastating loss, Kristen changed the trajectory of her life to utilize her scientific teaching and research skills to educate adolescent-aged children and their caregivers on mental health challenges and how it can lead to substance use and selfharm. As the Director of Outreach and Advocacy Programs and Assistant Professor of Research at the Warren Center, Kristen presented to youth, caregivers, legislators, and law enforcement about the impact repeated stress, social media, screen time, and substances have on the developing adolescent brain. In addition, she developed a multi award-winning educational documentary aimed at youth titled “Speaking Through Me” that was released August 2023.
Kristen has appeared on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and NewsNation: Elizabeth Vargas Reports regarding increased psychosis risk with high-potency cannabis use during adolescence. In 2025, the overwhelming desire to reach more youth called Kristen to launch the non-profit “22 Forever” in memory of her son, Anders. As the President and Executive Director of 22 Forever while continuing as Assistant Professor of Research at Vanderbilt Medical School, Kristen delivers adolescent brain health presentations both nationally and internationally. In addition, 22 Forever’s mission includes empowering young minds through a middle school curriculum that educates on optimizing brain health and well-being during this opportune time of adolescent neuroplasticity.
Register for this meeting at this link. Once registered, you will receive a Zoom link to join the meeting, which you can save to your calendar. You will not be required to register again if you have already registered for a previous Speakers Meeting. If you have any questions, please email us at info@everybrainmatters.org.
This meeting is free, but donations are welcome to increase our effort to support and advocate for families impacted by industrialized marijuana.
Meeting ID: 872 9417 0134
Passcode: ebmsupport
