The Cheerful Pharmacist

Some People Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Might Actually Have a Different Type of Diabetes

Most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, so in fact, have type 2 diabetes. But about 5-10% of them may actually have a different form of diabetes — Latent Autoimmune Diabetes Adults (LADA). LADA is similar to type 1 in that it’s an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and gradually destroys the beta cells of the pancreas. In this episode, I explore how LADA is different and similar to other types of diabetes and why making a diagnosis is sometimes very challenging. I also discuss why, in my professional opinion, having a LADA diagnosis is helpful and when to suspect a LADA diagnosis.

The Lipid Paradox and The Importance of Remission or Low Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis for Cardiovascular Health

What is the connection between lipids, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)? They have a lot more similarities than you think. RA is associated with significant systemic inflammation and it is this inflammation that elevate's one's cardiovascular risk. In poorly managed RA, we often see a lower total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C (compared to baseline) but this reduction is actually associated with an elevated CVD risk and is a phenomenon known as the Lipid Paradox. Early management of RA with the goal of low disease activity or remission can substantially lower one's risk of CVD. Listen to this episode to find out why

The Cardiovascular Risk of Cannabis

A number of publications and reviews have documented the increased cardiovascular risk (like heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, etc.) associated with the use of cannabis. In this podcast, I explain what this risk is, how relevant it is depending on the form and type of cannabis used and the likely mechanism responsible for this risk.

Using Cannabis to Manage Cancer Related Pain

Cancer pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms experienced by those with cancer and those who have survived cancer. This podcast reviews the evidence on using cannabis to manage cancer related pain and explores the benefits of using cannabis as an adjunct therapy to opioids (e.g. the potential for a synergistic effect leading to lower doses of opioids needed). I also discuss which combinations (high CBD, high THC or 1:1 THC:CBD) and what doses have been shown to be efficacious in clinical trials so far and the side effects to be expect from cannabis.

Medical Cannabis Part 2 - What is the difference between THCA and THC?

THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is less well studied than CBD and THC and is supposed to be non-intoxicating. In this podcast, I discuss how THCA is different from THC and how a bottle of THCA that didn't initially contain THC can eventually contain some THC. In vitro studies and studies in mice currently suggest that THCA may have anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea and neuroprotective effects but most products on the market and those being used for medical purposes are ones that contain CBD and THC, not THCA.