Dr. Sexton is the Endocannabinoid System Doctor (ecsdoctor.com). She is Assistant Adjunct Professor at UCSD in the Department of Anesthesiology. She graduated from Bastyr University in 2008. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington where she formally studied the endocannabinoid system for 6 years. Her NIH-funded pre-doctoral and postdoctoral research on the topic of cannabinoids and their roles in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration investigated cannabis use and impact on inflammatory markers. She has continued her research into health effects of cannabis at UCSD. Prior to medical school, she was a midwife and herbalist for 15 years.

Dr. Sexton has presented he research internationally and published in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Sexton’s clinical practice, research and teaching focus on the endocannabinoid system and roles for integrative medicine, including cannabis to treat a range of conditions across the lifespan. She is a member of the International Cannabinoid Research Society, the International Association of Cannabinoid Medicine The Society of Cannabis Clinicians and the American Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She is a Board Member on the California Association of Naturopathic Doctors. She maintains a medical practice in the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, CA.When not caring for patients or pursuing research activities, you can find her in the garden, paying music, playing with grandchildren, swimming or riding her bike to the beach for a surf session!

Part 1
1:40 - Michelle’s background
5:00 - Immunity, inflammation and the CB2 receptor
6:22 - The endocannabinoid & immune systems
7:00 - CB2 receptors on white blood cells
10:00 - Cross-talk between systems, TNF-alpha
10:40 - What is immune suppression? Is it good?
12:30 - CBD and inflammation. Measuring the CB2 receptor
14:35 - CBD and other receptors
14:50 - TRPV1 receptor
15:50 - Cannabis modulating the immune system
18:20 - Cannabinoids and COVID-19
20:00 - Dosing of THC
21:05 - The role of TNF-alpha
23:35 - Sepsis
25:00 - Smoking & risks of complications
27:12 - Cannabinoids won’t protect you from COVID-19

Michelle Sexton’s clinical practice: http://www.msextonnd.com
Online course: Women's Health and Cannabis Across the LIfespan and Endocannabinoid System 101
https://ecsdoctor.teachable.com