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The idea of a plant based drug for autism sits at the uncomfortable intersection of hope, skepticism, and science. For many people, it immediately raises questions about evidence, regulation, and credibility.
In this episode of the Causes or Cures, I speak with Joel Stanley, entrepreneur and biotech founder, about what it actually takes to move a botanical therapy from plant to FDA approved medicine.
This conversation focuses on what is being studied, where the science currently stands, and why the regulatory path matters.
What is being studied
Joel Stanley is currently the CEO of Ajna BioSciences, where he is developing botanical drugs under the FDA drug approval framework. One of these is a plant based drug being studied for autism, with clinical trials planned across two countries.
Rather than selling supplements or wellness products, Joel has chosen to pursue formal drug approval. In this episode, he explains where this autism research sits in the regulatory process and what questions the trials are designed to answer.
Why regulation matters for autism research
Autism research has often been vulnerable to exaggerated claims, under powered studies, and therapies marketed without strong evidence. That history makes rigorous regulation especially important.
This episode explores why botanical drugs are held to different standards than conventional pharmaceuticals and how those standards can sometimes conflict. Joel explains the challenges of standardizing plant-based compounds, designing clinical trials, and meeting FDA expectations when the starting material is a living organism rather than a synthetic molecule.
The discussion makes clear that choosing the harder path is not about slowing innovation. It is about building trust.
From medical cannabis to botanical drugs
The conversation also looks back at Joel Stanley’s earlier work building Charlotte’s Web, a company named after a young girl whose experience with severe epilepsy helped change public conversations around medical cannabis.
Joel reflects on what it was like to grow a family run operation into a company that reshaped public perception while navigating science, policy, and skepticism. That experience informs how he approaches botanical drug development today.
Beyond autism. The future of plant-based medicine
Finally, the episode touches on Joel’s research into psychedelics, including psilocybin for depression, and why he believes plant derived compounds may play a growing role in mental health treatment when studied responsibly.
Why this episode is worth listening to
This episode offers a rare look at how a plant based drug for autism is actually being developed and tested. It cuts through assumptions on both sides and focuses on what science, regulation, and patience demand.
If you are interested in autism research, botanical drugs, or how unconventional therapies move through conventional approval pathways, this episode provides clarity without oversimplification.
Listen to the episode
This episode of Causes or Cures is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.
If you want thoughtful conversations about public health, medical research, and the systems that shape evidence, this episode is for you.
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