The Neuroscience of CBD Oils and Delta 8

The Neuroscience of CBD Oils and Delta 8 THC

Date: June 16th, 2022

Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM

With the legalization of cannabis products (THC and CBD) for medical and recreational purposes in many states and with a majority of US citizens advocating for the legal right to consume these products, the use of THC and CBD products will increase and may impact the human brain in many ways. The human brain can experience multiple complications with regular use of cannabis products and the long-term effects of these complications are unknown. Are CBD oils and Delta 8 THC beneficial or do they cause long term dysfunctions of the central nervous system?

Now we know CBD as cannabidiol, an organic compound derived from the hemp and cannabis plants. We find it in health food stores and other shops, in pills and tinctures, salves and creams, chocolate bars, honey sticks, energy bars, sleeping masks and coffee, among many other things. And as the CBD boom continues to crest, we will encounter another substance, Delta 8 THC, in increasingly more products and outlets. This presentation will introduce the audience to the neuroscience of CBD oils, Delta 8 THC, their benefits, and adverse drug effects.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

• Evaluate medical cannabinoid products and their beneficial potential and adverse effects;
• Formulate the profile of adverse drug effects of CBD oils and Delta 8 THC;
• Develop an understanding of the effects of CBD and Delta 8 THC on the developing adolescent brain and body.

Presenter: Dr. Merrill Norton

Dr. Merrill Norton is an EMMY winning Clinical Associate Professor Emeritus of the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy with his specialty areas to include psychopharmacology and addiction pharmacy. He was most recently honored by the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association’s Board of Directors and Certification Board with being bestowed the first Certified Master Addiction Counselor (CMAC) credential in the state. His recently updated book, Understanding Substance Use Disorders Pharmacology, has been used to train thousands of mental health professionals nationally and his latest book, and The Pharmacist’s Guide to Opioid Use Disorders was released in December 2018.

Dr. Norton completed his undergraduate and graduate work at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy. He accomplished a three year addiction medicine fellowship under the direction of Douglas Talbott MD at Ridgeview Institute and has state, national, and international credentials in the treatment of mentally ill/addicted/chronic pain individuals. He has also been a faculty member of the Fairleigh-Dickinson University Postdoctoral Training Program in the Masters of Psychopharmacology, Alliant International University of San Francisco College of Psychology, University of Georgia School of Continuing Education, and Berry College in the areas of Psychopharmacology and Addiction Pharmacy. His areas of specialty in addiction pharmacy are the management of chronic pain in the substance use disordered patient and the neuroscience of substance use disorders.

Since his recent retirement from UGA , Dr. Norton’s primary focus is to provide the latest scientific information to communities, educators, healthcare professionals, prevention specialists, treatment providers, and especially families, on the diseases of substance use disorders.

Audience: The training was designed for all audiences.

Skill Level: The training was designed for any skill level.

An application for continuing education credit has been submitted to the NCSAPPB.

Funding in whole or in part for this event was provided by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services with funding from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services