10:15 am – 11:00 am – Cannabinoid Medicine: What’s New?
If you’re an avid PubMed-er (the Google of the academic world), you may have noticed a recent uptick in the number of studies published on cannabinoids. Even if you’ve never once used PubMed, the media stories on cannabis research flooding your social feeds is another good indicator of both the number of studies coming out and the increasingly interest from various outlets. With the approval of Epidiolex by the FDA, patients with severe pediatric epilepsy can now receive a prescription for GW Pharma’s CBD formulation. And in the coming years, we will likely see more cannabinoids approved as medicines for various conditions. Clinical trials are evaluating various cannabinoids for neurodegenerative disorders, gastrointestinal disease, respiratory conditions, infectious diseases, and cancer. And additional research is looking into solving some of the most challenging aspects of cannabinoid medicine, including dosing and method of delivery.
11:15 am – 12:00 pm – THC is a Cannabinoid: Whole Plant Health
Even though this is the CBD expo, the cannabinoid entourage runs deep. For many, THC and adult use or medical marijuana remains the cannabinoid of choice. Understanding how and why THC exerts its benefits on various users is integral to making sense of their cannabis plant, and unlocking its total potential. However, regulatory constraints and consumer ignorance remain a formidable barrier. Whether it’s trace amounts of THC in full spectrum products or low-CBD cultivars, every cannabinoid has a potential effect and every user has a preference. Join our panelists as they explore the role of THC within broader paradigm of cannabinoid health and wellness.
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – LUNCH BREAK
12:30 pm – 1:15 pm – Put Down the NSAIDs: The Immune Modifying Effects of CBD
With more and more people taking medications to treat chronic pain and inflammatory conditions, it is essential that the cannabinoid pharmacophores be researched as a potential addition to the arsenal of available medications. CBD was shown to have activity against cells of the immune system, including reduced expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the reduction in proliferation of antibody-producing plasma cells. These effects taken together could potentiate an anti-inflammatory process, leading to a blocking off of the pain at its source and not just masking its symptoms. We believe this activity can be exploited in the setting of chronic pain management and potentially other uses as well.
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm – The Makings of Something Beautiful and New: Creating Novel CBD Formulations and Blends
While scores of people may benefit from CBD isolates, many more have reported respite from their ailments using full-spectrum products that contain many more of the natural molecules native to hemp, like other cannabinoids and terpenes. Still yet, many product manufacturers are looking to design novel formulations that incorporate some of these molecules, without necessarily being considered as “full-spectrum”. These products may contain other minor cannabinoids and terpenes, but the inclusion of these ingredients are done with purposeful intent, such as creating products designed as sleep aids, or for treatment of pain or anxiety. Additionally, blending these formulations with other dietary supplements such as ginseng or melatonin can present an exciting new product line that combine traditional supplements with the surging interest in hemp-derived molecules, thereby presenting the best of both worlds. This panel will help you understand what types of products are currently in demand, and will illustrate how the rapidly evolving CBD industry is changing.
2:30 pm – 3:15 pm – CBD Spa Industry: From Massages to Bath Bombs
The beauty industry has merged with the CBD industry this year. So it’s not uncommon to see beauty products infused with cannabinoids lining the shelves of high-end skincare shops and popping up online. But—are these products more than just hype? While topicals are effective for many dermatological conditions and offer the added benefit of quicker absorption, it’s not entirely clear if they can enhance attractiveness as marketed. With the FDA currently evaluating how CBD should be regulated, more product testing may be necessary before we can separate the hope from the hype.
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm – Coming to your Senses: Terpenes + CBD
For some time, terpenes were considered waste molecules leftover after extracting CBD. Those times were short-lived, however, since there is an abundant wealth of scientific literature demonstrating the medicinal merit of terpenes like beta-caryophyllene, linalool, bisabolol, nerolidol, and more. For example, nerolidol and linalool are useful in treating anxiety, whereas beta-caryophyllene is useful in relieving pain. While some patients may benefit from more one-dimensional CBD products like isolate, the terpenes native to the plant can help augment the benefits of the extracted cannabinoid(s). They provide the exquisite bouquets that emanate from the plants, and drive the organoleptic properties that patients experience. This panel will discuss the importance of terpenes, and how adding these precious little molecules back into CBD oils can differentiate a product.
