In this interview, George Kunos, MD, PhD discusses the involvement of endocannabinoid system (ECS) in regulating addiction and reward. Dr. Kunos also describes the role of CB1 receptors in regulating body weight and metabolic control, and highlights the critical differences of blocking CB1 receptors in the periphery versus the brain. George Kunos, MD, PhD is the Scientific Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism at the National Institutes of Health From the 16th International Conference on Bioactive…

In this interview, Cecilia Hillard, PhD discusses endocannabinoid system (ECS) signaling in depressive disorders. Dr. Hillard describes the effect of exercise on the ECS, and how this may underpin some of the benefits of exercise in patients with depression and other mood disorders. Dr. Hillard discusses emerging results in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which show a different picture, and ends with a discussion on what we know about the role that the endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) play…

by Milene Brownlow, PhD Nutritional psychiatry is a rapidly growing medical field studying the connection between the role food and diet quality plays in  how we feel.1 We intuitively understand the body-mind connection and how it affects our day-to-day. We get butterflies in our stomach when nervous, our heart races when we are excited, and our mindset quickly goes south when we have digestive problems. This connection has led researchers to investigate lifestyle modifications that may optimize mental and cognitive…

by Molly Knudsen, MS, RDN From a culinary perspective, mushrooms are a very polarizing food. You either love or despise them, and you either order a meal based on their inclusion or veer far away from it. There are rarely feelings of indifference. However, the notion that medicinal mushrooms are beneficial for health isn’t as divisive as their presence on the dinnerplate. Typically taken in as an extract, fungal varieties considered to be a medicinal mushroom have been used in…

by Milene Brownlow, PhD Overview We are beginning to understand the wide-ranging impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on multiple facets of life. The outbreak that started late in 2019 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and sent most of the world’s population into confinement. Beyond healthcare, this pandemic has drastically altered life as we know it. Originally presented in the form of pneumonia of unknown etiology in Wuhan, China, it has since been determined that…

by Christopher Moulton, PhD With what seems to be breakneck speed, the world continues to learn about the myriad manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although much attention has been paid to the hallmark respiratory dysfunction in COVID-19, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the virus can target multiple organ systems, including the central nervous system. Although coronaviruses (including SARS-Cov-2) typically manifest as respiratory illnesses, neurological complications including neuropathy, delirium, and acute cerebrovascular events were seen in the recent 21st century SARS-CoV-1 and MERS…

Lisa Mosconi, PhD, a brilliant neuroscientist, reveals the latest research on Alzheimer's disease and on the disproportionate rate that women are affected by Alzheimer's, depression, and anxiety. Get the surprising new estimates regarding the role of genetics, as well as a comprehensive list of what to watch for now and what testing to explore.

Host: Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMCP Guest: Ann Shippy, MD Cannabidiol (CBD) seems to be everywhere these days, but how much of the available information is based on research, and how much is just hype? In this discussion, Deanna Minich, PhD, CNS, FACN, IFMCP queries her guest, Ann Shippy, MD, about the legality surrounding CBD, about the questions every patient or practitioner should ask of the product manufacturer, and about the benefits of CBD for a variety of conditions. Dr. Shippy…

by Erik Lundquist, MD Metagenics Institute sat down with family physician Erik Lundquist, MD for a Q&A session to bust some myths about the Cannabis plant and glean current insights for our readers on the clinical utility of phytocannabinoids naturally found in Cannabis, like cannabidiol (CBD). Read on to learn how, based on the scientific literature and in Dr. Lundquist’s clinical experience, these unique bioactives with actions in the endocannabinoid system (ECS) may be relevant to you and your patients.…

Host: Deanna Minich, PhD Guest: Erik Lundquist, MD In this discussion, Erik Lundquist, MD and Deanna Minich, PhD explore thyroid physiology, assessment, and clinical pearls for treating patients with thyroid dysfunction or disorders. The crux of the discussion is treating the individual patient, not the labs. You will learn valuable insights and effective clinical strategies that Dr. Lundquist utilizes every day in his clinic to provide personalized support to patients with thyroid disorders. Dr. Lundquist shares that in his medical school…