Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-BC, one of Pacific College’s Medical Cannabis program expert faculty members, was cited in a recent article on cannabis’ potential role in brain health in CRx magazine, an essential source of information for health and medical professionals who include cannabinoid products as part of their treatment plans. Eloise is a board certified Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner who specializes in cannabis therapy, having worked with cancer, dementia and chronic pain patients for 20 years.
The Need for Clinical Research in Cannabis Therapeutics
According to Eloise, studies have begun to examine the role cannabinoids play in protecting brain cells and slowing the progression of certain neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but “more clinical research is needed in these areas to better understand how cannabinoids can be used to treat or prevent such diseases.”
More than 100 cannabinoids are found in cannabis, but because THC is the most abundant and most commonly consumed within the plant, much less research has been conducted so far on other cannabinoids–though over the last 10 years, researchers have conducted some study of CBD as well. For example, a 2018 study suggested that CBD has anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and immuno-modulating effects.
Eloise also mentioned a study of cognitive performance in medical cannabis users: “their findings demonstrated that medical cannabis users had improvements on tasks of executive functioning without any reductions in performance. The authors hypothesized that the improvements may have been linked to a decrease in other pharmaceuticals as well as a reduction in clinical symptoms. Also of note was the different cannabinoid profile typically used by medical users vs recreational/adult users. Most medical cannabis users had higher levels of CBD in their products.”
Advancing Medical Cannabis Education
Are you interested in learning more about the proper use, indications and contra-indications of medical cannabis as part of an integrative healthcare approach? Pacific College’s 8-credit medical cannabis certificate program is also available as an elective in the holistic nursing programs! Pacific College is regionally accredited by WASC’s WSCUC and offers financial aid to those who qualify. Visit our calendar page to see a schedule of our free upcoming info sessions.
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