All Posts in Category

Neurological / Psychological

Are Eggs EGGcellent for Your Health?

INTRODUCTION There is nothing quite like the sound of eggs crackling on the frying pan, the smell of bacon, and coffee brewing in the morning. I couldn’t think of a better way to greet the day. And there are so many ways to cook those eggs, it’ll keep you from getting bored with them for…

Probiotics: What They Are, and Why You Might Need Them

INTRODUCTION You have probably heard friends talking about how yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, or kimchi is “good for your gut” But what do they mean, and what are they talking about exactly? It turns out that your friends are likely correct, and these foods, known as probiotics, can be good for you and your health. Keep…

Newfoundland, Drinking Water, and Arsenic: Check Levels!

INTRODUCTION Arsenic (As) is a metalloid (exhibits metal and non-metal properties) found in a ubiquitous fashion within food, soil, various places in the environment, and water; the latter of which is the most prevalent vector for human exposure.1 Natural disasters, such as ocean volcanos/forest fires, as well as and oil/wood burning can disperse As throughout…

Coffee: Exploring Health Benefits

ECONOMICS OF COFFEE Coffee consumption is the leading beverage, worldwide, just behind water, with its 2019 sales exceeding that of 87 billion dollars within the United States alone.1,2 Coffee remains one of the most widely and globally traded commodities, supporting the livelihoods of over 100 million individuals, and 26 million farmers across 52 countries.2(1) The…

Time Restricted Feeding: A Potential Protocol for Managing Dementia

In past articles (please see links below), I have examined lifestyle, exercise, nutritional, and supplement interventions to support neurological conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Emerging evidence is suggesting the potential efficacy of an eating protocol known as time-restricted feeding (TRF) to help manage such conditions. As a means of appreciating TRF and its…

Menopause and Sleep Disturbances: Could Cannabis Help?

Menopause is a physiological change in menstruation emanating from fluctuations, and gradual down regulation, of ovarian hormonal activity.1 Hormonal fluctuations, also known as menopausal transition, can produce a plethora of symptoms to include depression, urinary incontinence, joint pain, palpitations, headaches, sexual concerns, night sweats, tiredness, and sleep disturbances.1(149) Most relevantly, sleep disturbances have been reported…

Botanical Support for Insomnia/Anxiety/Depression

Insomnia is a disorder which can underlie other long-term health conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, lowered immune function, depression, and anxiety.1,2 Furthermore, its prevalence is wide, effecting an estimated 10-40% of the population. Since insomnia, left unmitigated, has such far-reaching consequences on health and homeostasis, it is paramount that said condition is addressed…

Anxiety/Anxiety-Related Disorders: Support With Cannabidiol

Anxiety can be defined as feelings of persistent worry that interferes with an individual’s ability to achieve and maintain relaxation.1(2) Such feelings are particularly prominent among children and adolescents, especially as they relate to social anxiety disorder (SAD).2,3 As mentioned in this author’s previous posts, common drugs used to manage anxiety include anti-depressants, serotonin-specific reuptake…

Managing Anxiety with Botanical Support

Anxiety is a is a mental disorder effecting several million people, worldwide, and such a condition is characteristically difficult to diagnose and treat due to the inherent complexity of the central nervous system. To date, the most prevalent intervention uses anti-depressants/serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors/benzodiazepines though such pharmacological approaches are often ineffective and replete with unwanted side-effects.1(2)…

Alzheimer’s Disease: Support With Cannabis

AD is characterized by an increase in beta-amyloid plaque deposition and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins along neurons of the brain, in addition to increased inflammation from oxidative stress.1(2) Left unmitigated, neurodegeneration from the above mechanisms slowly degrades communication, writing, and reading while also destabilizing both physical and emotional control in the most severe stages of AD.1(7)2…