"Medicinal Cannabis - Advanced Mental Health" is a comprehensive exploration of the role of medicinal cannabis in addressing mental health disorders. Divided into four units, the course combines evidence-based insights, clinical expertise, and practical tools to enhance patient outcomes.
Unit 1: Introduction to Medicinal Cannabis for Mental Health
This unit lays the foundation for understanding the pharmacological diversity of cannabis. Topics include:
- The distinction between THC-dominant, CBD-dominant, and balanced formulations.
- Routes of administration, including vaporisation and oral delivery.
- The importance of standardisation and regulation in medicinal cannabis products.
- Initial insights into mental health conditions treated with cannabis, such as anxiety and PTSD.
Unit 2: Medicinal Cannabis and Mental Disorders
Focusing on specific mental health conditions, this unit explores:
- The prevalence of cannabis use for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
- Reported benefits such as anxiety reduction, improved sleep, and mood stabilisation.
- Side effects, including the potential for increased anxiety or depression.
- Evidence gaps and the need for placebo-controlled clinical trials.
- Key considerations for safe prescribing, especially in populations with psychosis or a history of substance abuse.
Unit 3: Medicinal Cannabis and PTSD
This unit delves into the application of medicinal cannabis in managing PTSD:
- The neurobiological basis of PTSD and its symptoms, including nightmares and emotional numbing.
- Evidence from preclinical research suggesting THC and CBD may impair and extinguish traumatic memories.
- Studies examining the use of cannabis in military and first-responder populations.
- The promise and limitations of synthetic cannabinoids like Nabilone in reducing PTSD symptoms.
- The critical need for large-scale, controlled studies to validate early findings.
Unit 4: Potential Benefits and Considerations for Mental Health
This unit highlights the therapeutic promise of CBD for mental health:
- Evidence supporting its anxiolytic and antipsychotic properties.
- Studies on its efficacy in reducing anxiety and schizophrenia symptoms without common side effects of traditional medications.
- Neuroprotective properties such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
- Insights into drug interactions between cannabis-based medicines and conventional treatments.
- Emerging clinical trials aimed at solidifying the role of CBD in mental health care.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with a nuanced understanding of medicinal cannabis, its therapeutic applications, and the clinical considerations necessary to safely and effectively integrate it into mental health treatment plans.
This course is designed for GPs and is also suitable for all degree qualified medical professionals.
