Tom Whitfield
Health librarian — references & fact-checking
Based in Brisbane, QLD
Former medical librarian. I build the reference library and chase down primary sources, which my colleagues find either heroic or annoying. I birdwatch, haunt secondhand bookshops, and I have never finished a cryptic crossword in under an hour.
36 published articles · most recent July 5, 2026
Articles by Tom Whitfield
Peptide Science & Safety: FAQPeptide science is full of jargon and regulatory grey zones. Here are 20+ plain-language answers on how peptides work, their legal status in Australia, and safety questions.
Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and Lab TestingCOAs are the paper trail behind every cannabinoid product. Here's what the numbers on a lab report actually mean — and why some reports aren't worth the PDF they're printed on.
Emulsification and Particle SizeCannabinoids are deeply lipophilic — and that one chemistry fact drives most of what formulation scientists do with emulsification and particle size.
Cannabinoids and CYP450 Drug InteractionsCannabinoids inhibit key CYP450 enzymes, which can alter how other medications are processed. Here's the pharmacology, plainly explained.
Oral Oils and Capsules: How They WorkOral oils and capsules deliver cannabinoids very differently to inhaled forms. Here's what the pharmacology actually tells us about absorption, metabolism and bioavailability.
Residual Solvent AnalysisResidual solvent analysis sits at the heart of cannabis and botanical extract safety. Here's what the testing actually measures, and why it matters under Australian GMP rules.
First-Pass Metabolism ExplainedFirst-pass metabolism quietly removes a large fraction of many orally ingested compounds before they reach circulation. Here's why that matters for plant-based medicine.
CO2 vs Ethanol ExtractionCO2 and ethanol extraction produce very different cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Here's what the chemistry actually means for what ends up in the final product.
Onset and Duration: The PharmacokineticsRoute of administration changes everything in cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Here's what the science actually says about onset, peak and duration.
Routes of Administration ComparedOral, inhaled, sublingual, topical — each route of administration changes what a compound does and how fast. Here's the pharmacology behind those differences.
Cannabinoid Science: FAQTwenty-plus questions on cannabinoid science answered clearly — chemistry, receptors, Australian scheduling, and what the research actually says.
Stability Testing and Shelf-Life StudiesWhat actually happens to cannabinoids and terpenes as a product ages? A look at the analytical science behind stability testing and shelf-life studies.
Natural Medicine Regulation: FAQHow does Australia regulate natural medicines, cannabinoids, peptides and psychedelics? Twenty plain-language answers to the questions we actually get asked.
Decarboxylation ExplainedRaw cannabis contains almost no THC. Decarboxylation is the chemical step that changes everything — here's what actually happens, and why it matters.
Topical Cannabinoid FormulationsHow do cannabinoids actually behave when applied to skin? The pharmacology of topical formulations is more nuanced than most people realise — here's what the science says.
Terpene Preservation in ExtractionTerpenes are volatile, heat-sensitive, and easy to lose during extraction. Here's what the chemistry tells us about preserving them through to the final product.
Peptides: Frequently Asked QuestionsTwenty-plus plain-language answers on peptides: what they are, how they're classified in Australia, and what the TGA says about unapproved supply.
Shelf Life and Storage of Cannabinoid ProductsCannabinoids degrade faster than most people realise. Here's what the chemistry actually says about light, heat, oxygen and storage — and why it matters.
Standardisation of Botanical ExtractsWhat does "standardised extract" actually mean on a botanical label — and why does it matter for pharmacology? A look at the chemistry behind the claim.
Cannabis & Cannabinoids: Frequently Asked QuestionsCannabis and cannabinoids explained — scheduling, chemistry, access pathways and research limits. Neutral, referenced answers to 20+ common questions.
Bioavailability of CannabinoidsCannabinoids are highly lipophilic molecules, and the route you take them matters enormously. Here's what the pharmacology actually says about absorption.
HPLC Testing of CannabinoidsHPLC is the analytical backbone of cannabinoid testing — here's how the technique works, what it actually measures, and why it matters for regulatory compliance in Australia.
Nanoemulsions and Water-Soluble CannabinoidsCannabinoids are famously oil-soluble. Nanoemulsion technology tries to change that equation — here's what the chemistry actually involves.
Cold vs Hot Extraction MethodsHeat changes chemistry — sometimes intentionally. Here's how cold and hot extraction methods affect cannabinoid and terpene profiles in plant-based preparations.
Vaporised Flower vs OilVaporised flower vs oil explained: how inhalation and oral routes differ in absorption, metabolism and formulation, and what the research does and doesn't show.
Mass Spectrometry in Cannabis TestingMass spectrometry in cannabis testing underpins credible analysis. Here's how the technique works, why it matters, and what the data actually tells us.
Medicinal Cannabis Access in Australia: FAQMedicinal cannabis is legal in Australia under specific regulatory frameworks. Here's what the access pathways actually look like, with no fluff.
Full-Spectrum vs Broad-Spectrum vs IsolateFull-spectrum vs broad-spectrum vs isolate: what each label means at the chemistry level, and how Australian scheduling treats these products.
Sublingual and Oromucosal DeliveryOromucosal delivery explained: how the mouth lining absorbs compounds, why it skips first-pass metabolism, and what it means for cannabinoid pharmacokinetics.
Microbial Testing of Botanical ProductsMicrobial testing of botanical products: what a CoA pass really means, how TGA limits and culture methods work, and why mycotoxins need their own panel.
Heavy-Metal and Pesticide ScreeningHeavy-metal and pesticide screening explains how cannabis contaminants are detected, which methods labs use, and why analytical detail matters.
Liposomal Delivery SystemsLiposomal delivery wraps fat-soluble compounds in phospholipid shells to improve absorption. Here's what the chemistry actually shows — and what it doesn't.
Carrier Oils in Cannabinoid ProductsCarrier oils shape how cannabinoids dissolve, absorb and keep over time. Here is what the chemistry and published research say, and where evidence is thin.
Terpenes & the Entourage Effect: FAQWhat are terpenes, and do they actually change how cannabinoids work? Twenty honest answers to the questions we get asked most about the entourage effect.
Titration: The Start-Low-Go-Slow PrincipleThe start-low-go-slow principle, or titration, is core pharmacology. Here is what it means, why it matters and how it applies to cannabinoids.
Psilocybin & Psychedelics in Australia: FAQPsilocybin is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia, with narrow exceptions. Here's what the law, the chemistry, and the research actually say.