E4 Dr Mark Braunstein - Medicinal Cannabis in Child and Adult Psychiatry

In this episode, Dr Julie Moltke speaks to one of the leading cannabis psychiatrists in the world. Based in Colorado, Dr Mark Braunstein has been prescribing cannabis for two decades. On his own journey as a physician, he has changed his practice from following a traditional poly-psychopharmacology treatment regime to more plant-based and lifestyle-based treatments, including medical cannabis and cannabis-assisted psychotherapy.Dr Braunstein explains his way to become a cannabis psychiatrist, his interest in psychedelics, his traditional training in psychopharmacology, and moving to Colorado to prescribe cannabis which was newly legalized. The conversation touches wilderness treatment/using nature as a treatment, the nature of wellness, and how to incorporate it with medicinal cannabis use. Dr Braunstein explains about treating PTSD with medicinal cannabis and how it can help balance the endocannabinoid system, helping nightmares, anxiety, and insomnia.Dr Braunstein talks about treating children with medicinal cannabis for conditions like autism, ADHD, and bipolar disease and the stigma associated with treating children with medicinal cannabis. Dr Braunstein discusses cannabis dependence and points out that "Intentional conscious use, prevents misuse". Dr Braunstein is also educating us about dosing and titrating the dose of CBD and THC, and lastly, he explains about his work with drug-assisted psychotherapy. For more resources:Dr Mark Braunstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-braunstein/Medicinal cannabis & psychiatry reading: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Marijuana-Mental-Health-Michael-Compton/dp/1615370080Drug-assisted psychotherapy: https://maps.org/research/mdmahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041963/