The discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) is the single most important scientific medical discovery since the recognition of sterile surgical technique. As our knowledge expands, we are coming to realize that the ECS is a master control system of virtually all physiology. However, research and education of medical students involving the ECS is being intentionally restricted by politics. No justification can be made for the restriction of the scientific study of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system.
In fact, given the opioid crisis in the U.S., medical schools should be teaching sections on chronic pain and pain management, says Dr. Andreas Mitchell, a resident at the University of California, San Francisco, Medical Center.
Why isn’t the endocannabinoid system taught in medical schools
In 2014 my husband, also an integrative physician, and I moved our family back to New York for personal reasons. This has allowed me to encourage doctors on the East Coast to explore medical cannabis as a treatment modality. The endocannabinoid system still isn't taught in medical school, but I believe everyone benefits when healthcare providers educate themselves. It's better to offer patients quality, science-based information as an alternative to what they might pick up on the street.
Standard cannabis education ensures that healthcare professionals are equipped with foundational knowledge about dosing, routes of administration, side effects, drug interactions, titration, and other facets of cannabinoid medicines. Currently, most medical schools fail to teach their students about the endocannabinoid system or about cannabinoid pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics[8] (the number frequently cited is 13% of medical schools mention the ECS in their curricula, which is the outcome of independent research from Dr. David B. Allen who, in 2016, surveyed over 100 accredited U.S. medical schools).
Dr. Jacqueline Jacques is the Senior Vice President of Portfolio Development for Thorne. Dr Jacques is a Naturopathic Doctor with almost 20 years expertise in medical nutrition. She has spent much of her career in the dietary supplement industry as a formulator, speaker, writer and educator. Her most recent passion is the endocannabinoid system and tapping into its potential through nutrition.
In Canada, we are lucky enough to have had medical cannabis legalized since 2001. Currently, there are over 300,000 patients in Canada utilizing medical cannabis, with the number one growing demographic being seniors.The dilemma: There is a lack of training for doctors to prescribe and understand medical cannabis (or even the endocannabinoid system) as it is not currently taught in medical school. While many physicians may be open to the idea of their patients trying it, they may not know enough about it to be willing or comfortable to prescribe it, give dosing advice, or strain recommendations to their patients along with ongoing support that is needed. This is why medical cannabis clinics came to be in Canada.
For instance, Verbora says research on the endocannabinoid system has been around for over 20 years but is still not taught in medical schools. It's a system of receptors in the body that has been linked in explaining why cannabinoids help in the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia.
The cannabis industry opposes warning labels, and the government is prevented by the first amendment from mandating dispensaries provide objective information. Doctors are not well informed about cannabis because as recently as five years ago only 9% of medical schools taught students anything about the use of medical cannabis.[1] These combined influences increase the difficulty of making well-informed, science-based decisions about the proper medical use of cannabis and how to use recreational cannabis safely.
Not all doctors are up-to-date on the latest medical cannabis research. Most physicians have not even been taught about the endocannabinoid system (the neurotransmitter system that cannabis affects for results) or the medicinal value of cannabis (the plant matter) cannabinoids (the molecules).
Unfortunately, most healthcare professionals know very little about cannabinoid medicine; it was never taught in medical school or included in trainings for chiropractors, acupuncturists, nutritionists, nurses or health coaches. Luckily, progressive practitioner, caregivers and consumers now have options for getting credible, quality education on this topic. By demanding answers to your CBD questions, it improves healthcare for everyone.
A: Dr. Bresette and I wrote the curriculum: it was a one-credit elective class, with 10 students, and covered all the important topics, such as the history of the plant, the variety of the plant, the pharmacology, the pharmacokinetics, the endocannabinoid system and associated medical conditions. We had an analyst from Steep Hill Laboratories weigh in, along with a private sector attorney, a public sector attorney and an addiction specialist. It was an all-inclusive and very complete introductory class.
Until medical science achieves a better understanding of the endocannabinoid system and any ailments related to its dysfunction, Russo recommends plant-based therapies instead of pharmaceuticals like Marinol. 2ff7e9595c
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