Self-Care Spring Cleaning: Episode 2

When was the last time you reviewed your medications and supplements with your doctor? Why should you care?

In this pandemic year, many people have missed their annual wellness checks. Recent data also shows a potential rise in self-medication - including over-the-counter meds, supplements, alcohol & recreational drugs - all of which could lead to serious side-effects.

In episode two, Dr. Pearson will be joined by certified geriatric pharmacist and Health Depot (tag) CEO, Andrew Donald and Tilray’s Philippe Lucas PhD, for an interactive discussion on everything you need to know to medicate mindfully.

New Mini-Series: Self-Care Spring Cleaning w/ Dr. Blake Pearson

May is Mental Health month, so we thought it was the perfect time to launch our new Self-Care Spring Cleaning mini-series. The first webisode is tomorrow night and Sarah and I are so excited to talk to everyone about how to declutter and tune-up our emotional and mental health - including strategies we use personally and in practice. There is still time to register at www.drblakepearson.org/events

Huge thanks to Tyler Kula at The Observer for helping us get the word out.

The #CoverCannabis Project: Janet's Story

Need another reason why medicinal cannabis should be covered? Take a look at this amazing story. After just a couple of weeks on cannabinoid therapy, my patient has her severe fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis pain under control and has been able to sleep through the night for the first time in NINE years! You’ve heard me say it a million times, but a good night’s sleep goes a long way in reducing pain. Oh and we’ve been able to wean her opioid pain medication too.

Grateful to all my patients who have shared their story to further this important cause: #CoverCannabis

Introducing Doc Talk: A New Micro Series

It has become my life’s mission to help evolve the field of medicine and empower practitioners to integrate cannabinoid-based medicines into daily practice.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with over 1000 doctors, all around the world, providing peer-to-peer training and mentorship in this area of practice. This is a huge passion for me and something I love to do.

In #DocTalk, I’m excited to share a candid glimpse into our sessions and provide easy access for any healthcare practitioners looking to to increase their understanding. In doing so, I hope many more patients will benefit.

I hope you find it helpful and as always, please share with colleagues and reach out if you have any questions or would like to connect for a deeper conversation.

Ontario doctors still lack knowledge about medical cannabis

A recent study conducted by McMaster University shows that Ontario physicians are still reluctant to authorize medical cannabis. This is unsurprising given that the endocannabinoid continues to be left out of most medical school curricula in the year 2021!! We need to catch up with the times here as it’s having a massive impact on patient access and care.

For more info, check out this article in the Hamilton Spectator: https://bit.ly/3uU4uLy

Opinion: AU/NZ College of Anaesthetists Position Statement On the Use of Medicinal Cannabis

My opinion on the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists position statement on the use of medical cannabis for non-cancer chronic pain: Unbalanced, uninformed and hypocritical.

Last week, the Faculty of Pain Management at the Australian and New Zealand’s College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) published guidance for health practitioners recommending against the prescription of medicinal cannabis for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). We’ve seen a number of similar reviews over the last few years in both Australia and Canada and they continue to follow the same playbook. I weigh-in on the latest one in this video. I also encourage you to check out the balanced and very well-researched analysis written by Rhys Cohen here: https://www.cannabiz.com.au/medicinal-cannabis-and-chronic-pain-absence-of-evidence-is-not-evidence-of-absence/

Remember: “Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.”

CBD Reduces Plaque, Improves Cognitive Function in Model of Familial Alzheimer's

There is a dire need for novel therapies to improve outcomes for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, which is considered one of the fastest-growing health threats of our time.

In a promising new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, investigators reported that a two-week course of high dose CBD helped reduce plaque and improve cognitive function in an experimental model of early onset familial AD.

Familial disease is an inherited version of Alzheimer’s in which symptoms typically surface in the 30s and 40s and occurs in about 10-15% of patients.

Next steps include determining optimal doses and giving CBD earlier in the disease process. They also are exploring delivery systems including the use of an inhaler that should help deliver the CBD more directly to the brain.

See article below for more information. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210309192548.htm Citation for journal article, available here https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33612548/

Continuing the Conversation: Medical Cannabis in Long-Term Care

I wanted to continue the conversation about cannabinoid therapy in long term care this week by sharing some insights from my colleague Kim Van Dam, Administrator at Steeves & Rozema’s Trillium Villa.

Here she talks about the outcomes we’ve seen in successfully reducing narcotic and antipsychotic use amongst residents living with chronic pain and dementia.

Trillium Villa is one of Ontario’s first LTC residences to introduce cannabinoid therapy and the first home that I worked in several years ago. I continue to work with Kim and the forward-thinking & dedicated S&R team to this day and have been excited by the number of like-minded long term care organizations and in-house physicians who have reached out to learn more about whether it could benefit their residents/patients.

Medical Cannabis and Long-Term Care

When assessing under what circumstances the Government and private insurers should #CoverCannabis, residents living in long term care facilities would be a great place to start. These people have been through so much over the last year--particularly those living with dementia, as the prolonged isolation and disruption to their routines can lead to increased behavioural and psychological symptoms.

Medical cannabis offers a safe & effective multimodal medication that can improve quality of life amongst LTC residents in a range of medical scenarios, including dementia, chronic pain, insomnia and mental health--but the cost is precluding too many seniors from accessing this treatment. We must do better for our most vulnerable citizens.

Special thanks to my colleague Kelly Batson, Manager, Resident Care, Education and Operations at Steeves & Rozema’s Trillium Villa for her vision, leadership and sharing her experience.

Medical Cannabis and Cognitive Performance in Middle to Old Adults Treated For Chronic Pain

A new study assessing the relationship between long term medical cannabis use and cognitive function amongst middle-aged and older chronic pain patients has shown no association with declines in cognitive performance.

Researchers assessed psychomotor reaction, attention, working memory and new learning. Dosage, concentrations, length of time using medical cannabis and frequency of use were also assessed.

These results are extremely encouraging and should support patients and practitioners alike in their risk-benefit analysis when determining whether medical cannabis is a suitable treatment option.

Read the full research paper here.