Headshot of Israel Gasperin

Israel Gasperin
Engineering Scientist
Zentrela, Inc.
SPEAKER
MEDICINE

Cannabis Effect Research Driven by EEG Technology and Machine Learning

Wearable EEG technology combined with AI-based analysis offer a reliable, cost-effective alternative to traditional THC percentage-based testing, enabling the objective measurement of cannabis product effects, regardless of THC content.

Results from the world’s largest multi-site EEG study with +1,000 research participations (+10K EEG scans) and in collaboration with multiple cannabis scientists across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, will be presented to further demonstrate the objectivity and effectiveness of the PEL (Psychoactive Effect Levels) metric for assessing the quality and efficacy of cannabis products, showcasing how this innovative testing method can evaluate innovative formulations with terpenes, minor cannabinoids, drug delivery systems, and extraction methods.

The application of Machine Learning to large EEG datasets recorded under specific mental states presents a significant opportunity to standardize and streamline cannabis effect research, leading to more consistent and actionable data in the industry.

Learning Objectives:

  • EEG scans for measuring the PEL (Psychoactive Effect Levels) of cannabis products offer a new, more reliable quality metric
  • Results from over 10,000 EEG scans of consumers using a wide range of cannabis products will be presented
BIO
Israel Gasperin is a visionary entrepreneur, engineering scientist and the founder of Zentrela, a company dedicated to transforming cannabis research through advanced neurotechnology and AI. With a foundation in software engineering and entrepreneurship, Israel has focused his career on developing science-backed, commercially-viable solutions to address key gaps in cannabis product evaluation, especially in accurately measuring effects beyond THC concentration alone. Under Israel’s leadership, Zentrela developed the Psychoactive Effect Level (PEL) metric, an innovative EEG-based measure capable of objectively assessing cannabis products' psychoactive potency. By combining wearable EEG technology with AI-driven EEG analysis, the PEL metric provides cannabis producers, researchers, and regulators with a non-invasive and cost-effective way to quantify product effects and maintain quality control. Between 2018 and 2020, Israel’s work earned recognition and support from the Ontario Government, specifically through funding from the Ontario Centre of Innovation and the Ontario Brain Institute. This funding backed Zentrela’s development of an AI-based EEG testing technology, positioning it as a revolutionary method that could reshape cannabis research as well as advance drug testing practices in workplaces and on roads. In 2021, Israel developed a standardized, IRB-approved EEG protocol to make Zentrela’s EEG-based research model replicable and globally scalable. This protocol utilizes Zentrela’s portable, non-invasive EEG devices and proprietary AI, the Cognalyzer®, to provide rapid and reliable cannabis effect analysis.

The goal is to make this technology accessible beyond medical settings, extending its use to research universities, R&D labs of licensed producers, consumer experience facilities, workplaces, and police stations. Zentrela’s approach addresses critical industry needs, from accurate impairment detection to reliable quality testing of cannabis flowers and formulations. This technology also offers a vital alternative to THC-based measurements, which often do not accurately reflect a product’s true psychoactive impact. Since then, the PEL metric has gained significant adoption through collaborative studies with licensed cannabis producers and research scientists across North America, and Europe. Israel’s dedication to advancing neurotechnology in the cannabis sector has garnered support from investors, research institutions, and regulatory bodies, who share his vision of setting new standards for product transparency and quality. He continues to champion the role of innovative, accessible research tools in transforming the cannabis industry, providing solutions that enhance product safety and empower both regulators and consumers with accurate, science-based insights.

ATTENDANCE IS LIMITED. THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE NOT.

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