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