Outlines and describe the difference between Marijuana, Synthetic Marijuana, Hemp and various marijuana alternatives. Identifies the difference between CBD, THC and Synthetic Cannabinoids. Reviews the current “Legal Status” of Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids in America. Describes the troublesome new statistics concerning addiction and the increase in “Youth Vaping” of THC and CBD. Explains human Opioid Receptors, Opioid analgesia and compare this to the Human Endocannabinoid system. Reviews the real evidence (or lack thereof) for pain control and analgesia with THC, CBD, and marijuana alternatives. Lists the difference between THC Oil, Marijuana Oil, Cannabis Oil, Hash Oil, CBD Oil, and Hemp Oil. Reviews the critical Adverse Drug Reactions that occur with THC and CBD. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Describes how perception, thinking, emotions, and memory combine to produce cognitive appraisals and behavior. Outlines the causes, components, and management of psychological stress. Defines resilience and explain the factors that compose the ability to “bounce back” from stressful events. Lists the major components of the positive-psychology approach to increasing life satisfaction. Identifies the elements of happiness and optimism and how to apply them to increase well-being. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes. Describes, for this course, the implications for dentistry, mental health, nursing, and other healthcare professions.

Explains the concept of the gut-brain axis, and its implications for health and disease. Describes how microbes and their metabolites communicate with the body and the brain. Explains how the microbiome-gut-brain axis influences the development of neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders. Describes how microbial metabolites regulate immune and metabolic pathways in the body, and how this may impact risk of allergies, autoimmune diseases, obesity and diabetes. Explains how the ecology of the oral microbiome impacts both gut and systemic health; discusses implications for modern-day oral healthcare. Lists potential microbial and gut health disruptors, as well as therapeutic strategies to improve gut and brain health (to become “ecosystem engineers”). Describes ways in which the highly complex gut-brain scientific research has been oversold and misinterpreted by the lay press. Identifies red flags of “pseudoscience” to become a healthy skeptic. Describes how the information in this course can be utilized to improve patient care and patient outcomes.