Cannabis is a very complex plant with a myriad of diverse chemical constituents. While CBD and THC are the main cannabinoids in cannabis, there are over 100 other plant cannabinoids present. These so-called minor cannabinoids have potential therapeutic properties. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is creating research grants to investigate any medical benefits. What…
June 20, 2023 — Dr. Leigh joins WYPR’s Midday to explain the scientific data, purposes and risks associated with using cannabis for recreational and medicinal purposes. Listen to the interview here.
Using cannabis can have a big impact on your physical and mental health—for better, and once in a while, for worse. That’s why it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before experimenting. Here at GreenState, cannabis clinician Dr. Leigh Vinocur is here to answer your questions on healthy living with cannabis. Editor’s Note: The answer…
Q: What is the endocannabinoid system and what does it do? I first heard the term endocannabinoid system (ECS) in 2008 from a colleague doing research. It wasn’t something we learned about in medical school and residency training. Even though its discovery was in the late 1980s to early 1990s, many medical schools today do…
Q: What are terpenes, and do they have medicinal benefits? A: Terpenes are the essential oils produced in many different types of plants including cannabis. They are found in the flowers, fruits, leaves, and sap of plants. They are called aromatic compounds because of their chemical formulas which are responsible for the aroma and fragrance of the plant.…
FEELING DEPRESSED OR THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE? HELP IS AVAILABLE ANY TIME: National Toll-Free Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255 or online at SuicidePreventionLifeline.org Q: Can cannabis help with anxiety and depression? A: According to the CDC, anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health conditions seen in the US, seen in about 20 percent of the population. Symptoms of anxiety can include excessive worry, fear,…
This month President Biden signed into law the Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act, and it’s a good first start. But as a board-certified emergency physician working directly with medical cannabis patients in Maryland since our medical cannabis law passed, I know we need to do more. First, the bill still does not allow…
Q: Can cannabis help with my seizures? A: Epilepsy is a condition that often leads people to seek out cannabis as a treatment. Epilepsy is a broad term for a brain disease that causes seizures. A seizure is a change in normal brain activity which results in a sudden uncontrolled abnormal burst of electrical activity resulting in changes in behavior…
In the midterm election this November there are five states voting to legalize adult-use cannabis: Arkansas, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, and my state of Maryland. I am getting inundated with questions about it, from patients, family, friends, and colleagues. And while many of my colleagues are starting to come around and accept the beneficial…
Q: Will cannabis help my attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A: This is an interesting question. While there is not a lot of research on the subject, some patients with ADHD say it can help. ADHD is listed as a mental health condition in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 5th edition (DSM-5) but it is…