Professor Saoirse O’Sullivan on cannabis research, how to influence the endocannabinoid system naturally, and CBD delivery methods!

Professor Saoirse Elizabeth O’Sullivan (@ScienceSaoirse) received her doctorate from Trinity College Dublin in 2001 and moved to the University of Nottingham in 2002 as a Research fellow where she began researching cannabinoid pharmacology through basic and clinical research.  She was made Lecturer in 2007, Associate Professor in 2011, and Full Professor in 2019.  She has over 40 peer-reviewed articles and 3 book chapters on the topic of cannabinoid pharmacology.  Her specific interests are on the therapeutic potential of cannabis-based medicines in cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.  Her research methodologies spanned from cellular and animal models to human healthy volunteer studies, systematic reviews, and early phase
clinical trials.  In 2016 she was named the International Cannabinoid Research Society Young
Investigator of the Year.  Saoirse now runs an independent consulting company called
CanPharmaConsulting Ltd, and through this, acts as scientific advisor to Artelo Biosciences,
CBDScience Group, Therapix Biosciences, FSDPharma, and Dragonfly Biosciences. She is the science lead for the Centre for Medicine Cannabis (CMC), a non-profit organisation working to shape the UK’s new medicinal cannabis regime in the interests of patients, and secretary to the International Cannabinoid Research Society. She also works with charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals to educate on the benefits of cannabis-based medicines.

9:15 Two major problems in our society are stress and anxiety: how does the endocannabinoid system work to regulate this? Are there natural ways we can influence our endocannabinoid system (We will talk about the singing and exercise article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30534062/)

9:15 Let's talk a bit about the cannabinoids - namely CBD: What does the research say about the best delivery methods for CBD; what are the major problems we are facing now, and how does the future of CBD delivery look?

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32872355/

33:00  In which areas do we have the biggest potential for using CBD therapeutically based on the research we have so far?  CBD is only one among many cannabinoids: Which other minor cannabinoids do you see having therapeutic potential based on the current research?

Promising studies with CBD and diabetes type 2 and CBD for Fatty-liver disease. Different cannabinoids for weight management and appetite regulation. THC for appetite induction.  THCV (natural CB1 antagonist) for reducing appetite or for metabolic syndrome. CB1 antagonist rimonabant was developed as an anti-obesity drug withdrawn because of psychiatric side effects. CBG to promote weight gain in palliative care without THC side-effects.  CBDV is neuroprotective and anti-epileptic, CBDA has higher potency to treat anxiety or pain.  The endocannabinoid system protects against cardiovascular effects.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32128848/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27573936/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32608035/

What are your personal top 3 tips for optimal health and wellbeing? 
Sleep, exercise, do things that give you the joy to increase that anandamide levels 

Learn about the best ways to support menopause naturally!
Dr Vera Martins is a naturopath and herbalist with a PhD in Cancer Biology. Having worked as a scientist for several years, Vera’s passion for natural medicine led her to study Naturopathy. She specialises in women’s health, providing a body-mind and highly personalised patient-centered approach. Her main area of expertise is hormone balance, particularly peri-menopause and menopause, however, Vera also works with younger women supporting them with conditions such as PMS, PCOS, and infertility. In her practice, Vera uses a combination of nutrition, supplements/herbal medicine, and lifestyle advice, to help women feeling their best. 

3:00 What is a Naturopath? A health practitioner who takes a 360-degree view of health. Vera believes in natural healing, individual uniqueness, and understanding the root cause of the symptoms. 

6:00 What is a herbalist? Vera is specialised in herbalism - using the healing powers of plants. Modern conventional medicine has its roots in herbal medicine

8:05 Why did you choose to go down the holistic herbalistic route?  

11:30 What made you specialize in Women's health? Vera used to work in a clinic in London who was pioneering in the treatment of bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (B-HRT).

16:40 How do you treat perimenopause and menopause from a naturopathic perspective? 

Symptoms of perimenopause are often anxiety, mood swings, sleep problems, fatigue, changes in blood sugar leading to sugar cravings, weight gain. 

Menopause: fatigue, hot-flashes, bone-loss increase cardiovascular 

Treatment focuses on the 4 pillars: Stress management, gut-health, liver-function, and blood-sugar balance. 

22:00 Stress Management the foundation pillar - When stressed, your body will upregulate the stress response and downregulate the production of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, and testosterone. 

Supplements for stress reduction: ashwagandha (adaptogens) (improve libido, memory, and mood), Magnesium.  

Other stress reduction tips: Self-care, yoga, breathing, mindfulness meditation. 

28:40 Which supplements can help support women in menopause and perimenopause?

Dr. Martins makes homemade herbal tinctures and powders made based on the client's need. These could be Vitex Agnes Castus, black cohosh, sage, and adaptogens. 

 34:15 Top 3 overall supplements for perimenopause and menopause: Ashwagandha, Magnesium, Slippery Elm for gut-health (reduce acid reflux, anti-inflammatory, and increase gut-motility). As well as vitamin-D3 and K2 + Omega-3 for bone health and brain and heart health. 

35:25 Gut Health Support: When hormones decline you get a reduction in stomach acid and this can lead to partly digested food and problems with an unbalanced microbiome. This can contribute to further hormone imbalance.  

39:00 MPowder and the development of powders for perimenopause and menopause. Creating a community for Women around menopause, working with experts to support their clients. 

51:00 Dr. Martins owns favorite menopause tips: 

1. Stick to a balanced inclusive diet including proteins at every meal, including healthy fats, and reduce refined carbs. Do not completely cut out carbs. Breakfast with PFF (protein, fiber fats). 
2. Do not drink coffee early in the morning (hard for adrenal glands and your gut - substitute with a warm of hot water with lemon. 
3. Slow down and incorporate self-care into your life. 10 minutes of me-time in the morning with meditation, yoga, or any other self-care practice.   

In ancient times it was believed that menopause was a time where women transformed their accumulated knowledge into absolute wisdom.
Resources: 
www.veramartinsnaturopath.com  
www.mpowder.store

Clarissa Lenherr is a Harley Street registered nutritionist and leading workplace wellbeing consultant. As a private nutritionist, Clarissa has helped hundreds of clients back to optimal health and she specialises in digestive health, auto-immune conditions, and hormone health. Her mission is to take the science of nutrition and convert it into easy to implement strategies so that her clients can achieve ultimate wellbeing. 

4:30 - What is the enteric nervous system: the connection of nerve fibers in the gut is called the enteric nervous system (ENS) and it is sometimes called the second brain. 

8:10 - The brain-gut connection: There is a bidirectional link between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system in the gut.

12:50: The microbiome is a collection of bacteria that live in our gut. Some of them produce neurotransmitters including serotonin, GABA, and dopamine. 95% of serotonin, one of the most important hormones for mental health, is made in the gut. 70% of the immune system is in the gut which is why an unhealthy gut is often associated with poor immune health, autoimmune disease, and inflammation. 

15:10 - Can stress, anxiety, and mental health disorders originate from the gut?

18:30 - How can we use nutrition to improve gut health and mood? Disclaimer: if you have a preexisting medical concern you should see a doctor or nutritionist 

Tips to improve gut health and mood

• 30 grams of fiber per day (The average consumes only eats 18 grams) - It benefits digestive health, heart, and liver health. It feeds the good bacteria and can improve constipation dominant IBS.
• Prebiotic fibers are insoluble and they are hard to break down in the gut. It moves whole to the large intestine where the gut-bacteria eat them and produce by-products including short-chained fatty-acids (SCFA). 
• Some prebiotic foods are: Artichokes, Asparagus, bananas, barley, berries, chicory, garlic, green vegetables
• Probiotics: food or supplements containing live-bacteria to support our microbiome. They can be found in fermented food like kefir and live yogurt, kombucha, sauerkraut and kimchi, tempeh, and soy. Can be used 3 times/week. Or take probiotics in supplement form.  
• Start low and go slow: Too many fibers and probiotics can cause bloating and diarrhea so start slowly when increasing fiber intake. 
• Red wine can be good for the microbiome in small quantities

Stay away from: 

• Processed meats and processed food
• Contains lots of nitrate and unhealthy fats 
• Sweeteners have been shown to reduce the diversity in the microbiome 
• Stay away from chewing gum which contains a lot of sweeteners 
• Be cautious with caffeine which can cause bloating and diarrhea 
• Alcohol affects our absorption of nutritions and our mood and sleep. 
• Refined sugar - less than 30 grams per day

30:20: Can food reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress? Simple diet changes to a whole-food, high in fruits and vegetables. Nutrients to support mental health:

• Omega-3: From fatty-fish like salmon and mackerel, chia seeds and walnuts  
• Vitamin-3: diary milk-foods, eggs, mushrooms, and from the sunshine. As a supplement - recommended dose: 25-50 microgram/day. 

35:10 Is intermittent-fasting good for gut-health and mood? Fasting can help the digestive system to fully clear out and reset. 

Tips:  Have 12-16 hours fasting period overnight (start low and go slow)

• 4-hour gaps between meals
• Reduce snacking (not for people with diabetes, pregnancy, or high-stress levels)
• You can have water, tea or black coffee
• Eat a balanced diet in the 8 hours - eat the colors of the rainbow, hydrate, and drink lots of water