Q/A with an ND regarding CBD
Functional Medicine is healthcare for the 21st century and beyond as natural medicine seeks to uncover often overlooked factors that have a dramatic impact on health. This work includes the use of plants as medicine. Ever wonder what a Naturopathic Physician thinks about the CBD cannabinoid? Dr. Nicole Priscal, Naturopathic Physician in Portland, Oregon generously took a moment to answer a few questions.
How does CBD fit into one's overall health?
CBD has been studied for its multiple benefits, some of which include, pain relief, improved cognition, mood support, antitumor and antihistamine effects, vascular stability, etc. There is adequate research available (and more coming) and I prefer to share the research with each patient and decide if CBD should be considered for their individualized treatment plan.
In 2017 I attended the Medical Cannabis Conference in Portland, OR. One of the most insightful clinical pearls I learned was that CB2 receptors act differently based on the state of pathology of the tissue. This is why people respond differently to different CBD products and why CBD is not a one size fits all solution. I encourage people to consult with their doctor before self-prescribing and dosing CBD.
Any considerations before taking CBD?
1. I always start with establishing the foundations of health and going after the low-hanging fruit. I approach this using lifestyle medicine to help individuals adopt and sustain healthy behaviors that affect their health and quality of life. Better sleep, increasing daily physical activity, and improving the diet are crucial. When I say diet, I am referring to a way of life, not just a temporary way of eating.
2. You cannot out-supplement a poor diet. This is why the food you choose to eat will have more impact on your mood and immune system then handfuls of supplements do. Naturopathic physicians are experts in helping patients support their terrain to improve overall health. This means proper hydration, eating the rainbow, avoiding food intolerances and taking some mineral and nutrient supplements to support the immune system.
At what point do you recommend CBD?
I recommend CBD once the patient has worked on their foundations of health, which includes improving sleep, diet and daily movement. Though it really is based on each individual's case. CBD is a promising alternative in helping to lower inflammatory mechanisms and improve immune system functioning to support repairing and healing response. If a patient is in acute pain or experiencing a lot of anxiety then I may prescribe it first while they continue to work on their foundations of health.
How would you describe the way CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a signaling network that plays a critical role in energy homeostasis and helps regulate immune responses and inflammation in the body. The ECS is also present in metabolically relevant peripheral tissues including the liver, pancreas, muscle and adipose tissues. In the body, CBD interacts with G coupled receptors, CB1 and CB2, regulating a range of vital processes. CB1 receptors are present in the central nervous system where it modulates several functions like memory, cognition, emotion and pain control. The CB2 receptors are mostly located peripherally on immune cells, which has been of particular interest because of its importance in immune surveillance in the brain as well as peripheral tissues. CBD has been shown in other studies to promote the growth of new brain cells, in a process known as neurogenesis. Studies of the ECS support its importance for multiple aspects of brain function including modulation of Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, regulation of mood, anxiety and reward.
What kind of method of consumption do you recommend for CBD and why?
It comes down to the individual's preference. I tend to recommend tincture and capsules as preferred methods of consumption. Tincture has a faster effect than capsule method, though it just depends on why you are supplementing CBD. Something important to note is that all CBD products are not created equal. The quality control and consistency of these products may vary considerably. A recent study by the US FDA tested 18 products, claimed to contain CBD, made by 6 companies. Of these, 8 contained no CBD, 9 contained <1% CBD, and 1 contained 2.6% CBD. When choosing CBD products, check for third-party verification for potency and purity (organic and no heavy metals, pesticides/herbicides, solvent residues, or microbes).
Dr. Priscal practices holistic healthcare and focuses on treating and correcting the underlying causes of diseases, not just symptoms. Dr. Priscal has a special interest in women’s health as well as providing integrative care for people with complex medical issues, including fatigue, asthma, autoimmune illness, food allergies/sensitivities, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and environmental illness. She is passionate about educating patients on the importance of food as medicine and the foundations of health. Using naturally focused methods rooted in science, she creates individualized treatment plans incorporating botanical medicine, lifestyle modification, dietary interventions, hydrotherapy, and pelvic floor therapy.
Dr. Priscal practices at the Pacific Clinic of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon and is also available for teleconferencing during this time of Covid-19.
Disclaimer: The information on this article is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information to promote wellness. Marijanefonda encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified healthcare professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.