213: Cannabis & The Brain – Janice Bissex

Sound Bites A Nutrition Podcast

Nearly twenty percent of adults (or 50 million) experienced a mental illness in 2019. One in four adults with a mental illness report an unmet need for treatment, and this number has not declined since 2011. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in American affecting 42.5 million U.S. adults, with major depression affecting 21 million U.S. adults. In addition, sleep is closely linked to mental and emotional health and has demonstrated connections to depression, anxiety and other conditions.

Research into the potential benefits of cannabis therapy is ongoing and promising, with preliminary research suggesting benefits including improvements in pain, sleep, and anxiety disorders as well as various brain-related issues from headaches to inflammation to traumatic brain injuries. Tune in to this episode with Holistic Cannabis Practitioner and Registered Dietitian Janice Bissex to learn about:

• definitions of cannabis, CBD, THC, terpenes, anandamide, endocannabinoid system
• why the term “marijuana” is stigmatizing
• why cannabis became illegal
• barriers including stigma and access to cannabis/CBD
• cannabis and pain management, the opioid crisis
• cannabis and mental health: insomnia, anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, suicide
• cannabis and brain health: aging, cognition, inflammation, dementia, Alzheimer’s, headaches, concussions, traumatic brain injury, seizure disorder
• cannabis vs. alcohol and the brain
• how dispensaries work and what you can buy there
• growing your own cannabis plant
• cooking with cannabis
• the importance of healthcare professionals learning about cannabis and how to talk with patients about it

Full shownotes and resources at: https://soundbitesrd.com/213