In the past decade the US has seen a vast change in societal prejudices regarding pharmacology. Ten years ago, pharmacy stocks were skyrocketing and the medical community was somewhat of a lapdog for whatever the cute pharmacy reps were telling them.
If that wasn't enough to meet sales quotas, then weekend trips to conferences in exotic destinations usually resulting in getting physicians to begin writing scripts for the 'latest, greatest' drugs to come along. Old drugs were regarded with a generational snobbery which is often closely matching the same dates when patent protections expired. But recently we've seen several researchers bravely exploring the medical impacts of a raw and ancient herb called cannabis. Three physicians have impressed me more by their temperament and curiosity than by their medical breakthroughs. I want to introduce them to you. Two of them have been to Oklahoma recently and I have had private conversations with them. The other has spoken with people I know and trust. Watch the videos of their clinical presentations at conferences and see if you agree? |
Dr. Thomas B. Strouse;
MD Medical Director, Stewart and Lynda Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital, UCLA As a growing number of states legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes, there is increasing interest in the drug’s health effects and potential value in bringing relief for certain ailments. Many questions remain as to the benefits of cannabis for certain health problems, as well as its potential risks. Thomas B. Strouse talks about what is known and what remains to be determined. |
|
Francesca Filbey;
University of Texas at Dallas, School of Behavioral & Brain Science. Filbey provides new and exciting information from her studies of the physiological observations of the brain as it is absorbing cannabis medicines. She largely dispels the myth of the 'pothead slacker'. Her evidence shows an increased motivation for opportunity, when influenced by cannabis. She also shows the way cannabis hampers the fear reactions in the frontal cortex. That evidence demonstrates how a patient suffering anxiety disorder may find relief from panic attacks with cannabis. |
|
Kent Hutchison;
Center for Health & Addictions: Neuroscience, Genes, & Environment University of Colorado - Boulder Hutchison had the most captivating & at times amusing presentation. He discusses the university politics of getting authorization for conducting studies on cannabis. He talks about the novel innovations of making the research work for the lawyers and the patients. He clearly provided some of the latest & even unpublished new studies in the nation. |
|