CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis--Healing without the High

Description

This practical, accessible guide to using CBD-dominant cannabis contains a wealth of information for both first-time explorers and experienced patients who want to know more about safely treating a number of health conditions with remarkable results and low to no psychoactivity or negative side effects. CBD (cannabidiol) is a component of cannabis that can provide relief for conditions such as seizures, pain, inflammation, anxiety, depression, arthritis, and a number of other issues. This book offers guidance on various forms of the medicine such as oil infusions, alcohol-based tinctures, capsules, and CO2 concentrated extracts. The information is organized by health condition and also by recommended CBD-rich strains, which do not produce the "highs" associated with THC. With dosage suggestions, potential side effects and contraindications, and the pharmacology of the plant, this is an essential guide for both doctors and patients looking for a nontoxic alternative to opiate-based pain medications and other pharmaceuticals. While cannabis has been used for medicinal and recreational purposes for thousands of years, only in the last fifty years have scientists begun to shed light on the chemistry of the plant and its interactions with the human body. Research has led to the discovery of a whole new system in the body, the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in mediating functions such as appetite, immunity, mood, pain response, and memory. The authors present case studies, interviews with doctors who prescribe cannabidiol products, and the latest research regarding other active phytocannabinoids and terpenoids present in cannabis that are being studied for medical use. They also address the difference between CBD products derived from industrial hemp or in a lab, versus those made from medical marijuana using the whole plant. In addition to offering the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on CBD-dominant cannabis therapy for humans, this book is the first to offer guidance for using the medicine for animals, with suggestions for dosage and delivery and useful forms and strains for common health issues in pets. Finally, the authors take a look at the future of cannabis medicine, charting trends in the legalization movement and suggesting how CBD might be used to fight the opioid epidemic.

LEONARD LEINOW has three decades of experience growing and studying medical cannabis and brings a unique spiritual perspective to his work. In 2009, he formed Synergy Wellness, a not-for-profit medical cannabis collective in California. Synergy Wellness has over 3,500 members in its collective and is an artisan organization making hand-crafted organic and natural whole plant-based products. They are specialists in CBD, the non-psychoactive portion of cannabis, and are pioneers in this aspect of the industry. Leinow is known for his proprietary blends of tinctures and medicine used for cancer and epilepsy patients. Trained as a cultural anthropologist, JULIANA BIRNBAUM has lived and worked in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Nepal, Costa Rica, and Brazil. In 2005, she founded Voices in Solidarity, an initiative that partnered with tribal leaders from the Brazilian Amazon to support the development of the community-led environmental education center featured in her first book, Sustainable R evolution. Birnbaum has written about ecovillages, native rights, and social justice issues in a variety of newspapers, indigenous journals, blogs, and anthologies and is engaged variously as a writer, editor, teacher, midwife assistant, and mother, when not attempting yoga poses or gardening.

"Medical cannabis is revolutionizing the practice of medicine in America. On the forefront of that revolution is CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis, a must-read for health care practitioners and patients alike." -Joel Samuels, MD "In my practice of pain medicine, I have witnessed the positive impact that cannabis can have on chronic pain. It is increasingly evident that it provides a safer alternative to opioids. The breadth and scope of this book is impressive. The historical perspective is most interesting and the technical information deeply informative." -Robert Hines, MD, Diplomate, American Board of Pain Medicine; Diplomate, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; co-founder, Bay Area Pain Medical Associates "CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis is the most comprehensive publication on the science and therapeutic use of cannabinoids yet produced. It extensively covers the science of cannabinoid chemistry and the endocannabinoid system, and is supported by more than four hundred peer-reviewed research articles. I recommend it for any provider actively prescribing medicinal cannabis formulas." -Jeffry L. Anderson, MD "A magnificent approach to the use of medical cannabis in both humans and pets, not only for caregivers, patients, and their families, but also for skeptical physicians. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in discovering the real power of this millennial medicinal plant." -Dr. Gisela Kuester, neurologist and epileptologist, clinical research director at Daya Foundation, Chile "A clearly written and informative book on a complicated subject. Medical marijuana is not a panacea, and is not a substitute for the extraordinary skills of modern scientific medicine, but as this fine book shows, cannabis in its many forms is now an important part of the Western medical tradition." -Dale Pendell, author of Pharmako/Poeia: Plant Powers, Poisons, and Herbcraft "CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis is a well-written guidebook to one of the most exciting compounds in cannabis medicine today. This book is comprehensive enough to be a useful reference to the layperson and expert alike, on matters relating to CBD as well as cannabis in general. Excellent job!" -Owen Shibata, MD "CBD is a hot topic right now, but there's a tremendous amount of misinformation about how it works. This book clears up the confusion, and gives you expert guidance that could make a profound difference in your life." -Max Simon, founder of Green Flower Media "I love this book. It is both beautiful and practical, grounded in all the right qualities needed to make working with CBD easy and effective." -Uwe Blesching PhD, author of Cannabis Health Index "This book will put patients and doctors on common ground when it comes to CBD. After reading it, patients will be ready to have an informed discussion with their doctor about how to use medical cannabis." -Scott Giannotti, founder of Cannabis and Hemp Association "This comprehensive book combines scientific evidence with practical advice for specific health challenges and preventive measures. I highly recommend this guidebook for people who are considering CBD treatments, and for health care practitioners who want to learn more about CBD for their patients." -Sondra Barrett, PhD, author of Secrets of Your Cells: Discovering Your Body's Inner Intelligence and Ultimate Immunity: Supercharge Your Body's Natural Healing Powers "A testament to the source of Leonard Leinow's passionate stewardship of CBD-rich cannabis products, CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis reveals the scope and profundity of this game-changing component of medical marijuana." -Laurie Vollen, MD, MPH, founder of Naturally Healing MD "Leonard Leinow's powerful advocacy for medicinal cannabis places us squarely on the cusp of accessing what is potentially the most incredibly diverse medicine that comes from one plant. We as individuals, families, therapists, doctors, and vets, need the power of informed choice to use this unparalleled plant appropriately-to heal ailments and save lives, to relieve pain and provide dignity in life passing." -Kimberly Call, CCHT, CMT, HHC, author of Morning Rituals-How We Awaken and A Beautiful Passing