Introducing Doc Talk: A New Micro Series

It has become my life’s mission to help evolve the field of medicine and empower practitioners to integrate cannabinoid-based medicines into daily practice. 

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with over 1000 doctors, all around the world, providing peer-to-peer training and mentorship in this area of practice. This is a huge passion for me and something I love to do. 

In  #DocTalk, I’m excited to share a candid glimpse into our sessions and provide easy access for any healthcare practitioners looking to to increase their understanding. In doing so, I hope many more patients will benefit. 

I hope you find it helpful and as always, please share with colleagues and reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect for a deeper conversation.

Ontario doctors still lack knowledge about medical cannabis

A recent study conducted by McMaster University shows that Ontario physicians are still reluctant to authorize medical cannabis. This is unsurprising given that the endocannabinoid continues to be left out of most medical school curricula in the year 2021!! We need to catch up with the times here as it’s having a massive impact on patient access and care. 

For more info, check out this article in the Hamilton Spectator: https://bit.ly/3uU4uLy 

Opinion: AU/NZ College of Anaesthetists Position Statement On the Use of Medicinal Cannabis

My opinion on the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists position statement on the use of medical cannabis for non-cancer chronic pain: Unbalanced, uninformed and hypocritical.

Last week, the Faculty of Pain Management at the Australian and New Zealand’s College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) published guidance for health practitioners recommending against the prescription of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). We’ve seen a number of similar reviews over the last few years in both Australia and Canada and they continue to follow the same playbook. I weigh-in on the latest one in this video. I also encourage you to check out the balanced and very well-researched analysis written by Rhys Cohen here: https://www.cannabiz.com.au/medicinal-cannabis-and-chronic-pain-absence-of-evidence-is-not-evidence-of-absence/

Remember: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”

CBD Reduces Plaque, Improves Cognitive Function in Model of Familial Alzheimer's

There is a dire need for novel therapies to improve outcomes for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, which is considered one of the fastest-growing health threats of our time. 

In a promising new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, investigators reported that a two-week course of high dose CBD helped reduce plaque and improve cognitive function in an experimental model of early onset familial AD.

Familial disease is an inherited version of Alzheimer’s in which symptoms typically surface in the 30s and 40s and occurs in about 10-15% of patients.

Next steps include determining optimal doses and giving CBD earlier in the disease process. They also are exploring delivery systems including the use of an inhaler that should help deliver the CBD more directly to the brain. 

See article below for more information. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210309192548.htm 

Citation for journal article, available here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33612548/