Marijuana on My Mind: The Science and Mystique of Cannabis

by Timmen Cermak

Overview

Marijuana is on everyone's mind. Why do so many people enjoy it? What is it doing in our brains? Is it safe for everyone to use? What should we be telling our children? What are the benefits of medical marijuana? How does CBD live up to its hype? Does marijuana have spiritual power? And with so much conflicting information out there, how do we begin to make up our own minds about cannabis? Marijuana on My Mind is for anyone who has ever experienced the mystique of cannabis or wondered exactly how cannabis works. With over 40 years of clinical experience, Dr Timmen Cermak uses science to make sense of the endless debate between advocates and opponents of cannabis and provides answers to some of the greatest mysteries surrounding marijuana.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781009021760
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Dr Timmen Cermak is a retired addiction psychiatrist from California, with over 40 years' experience in clinical psychiatric practice. As Past-President of the California Society of Addiction Medicine, co-founder of the National Association for Children of Addiction and board member on California's Cannabis Advisory Committee, he brings extensive experience from the forefront of addiction medicine. He is an experienced author of books on the science of marijuana. His previous book, From Bud to Brain: A Psychiatrists's View of Marijuana (2020) was described by CHOICE Reviews as 'well written and researched' providing a 'wealth of science-based evidence'. Tim believes cannabis can be enjoyed safely by most people, with the correct guidance and precautions, and hopes Marijuana on My Mind will provide the public with the information they need to make educated and informed decisions about their own use.

Table of Contents

1. The Science and Mystique of Cannabis; 2. The Plant, Its History, and Products; 3. The Brain and Its Natural Cannabinoid Chemistry; 4. The Plant's Impact on the Brain and Experience; 5. Putting Cannabis in Perspective; 6. Cannabis Culture and Spirituality; 7. Medical Cannabis, Part I: Cannabinoids with Strong Scientific Evidence; 8. Medical Cannabis, Part II: Cannabinoids with Preliminary Scientific Evidence; 9. Medical Cannabis, Part III: CBD Facts, Fad, and Possibilities; 10. When Cannabinoid Receptors Disappear; 11. When Addiction Hijacks the Brain's Reward System; 12. Adolescents and Cannabis; 13. Further Consequences of Using Cannabis Too Frequently; 14. Treatment and Recovery; 15. Public Health and Politics; Epilogue: The Future of Cannabis.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Aaron John Plattner, MD (Network180 )
Description: This book explores the recent growth of popularity of marijuana and its effects in all areas of medicine and life.
Purpose: The book's purpose is to provide a solid foundation about cannabis and explain the potential risks and benefits of cannabis in multiple areas. Given the growing presence and interest in cannabis, these objectives are important and largely met by the book.
Audience: The book identifies the target audience as "...anyone who has ever experienced the mystique of cannabis or wondered how cannabis works." This is indeed a broad audience, but because of how practical the writing is, anyone who is interested in cannabis will benefit from reading. However, healthcare providers working with patients who are using or interested in using cannabis will benefit most. The author has a long interest in this subject and has written other books on cannabis and therefore certainly brings a high level of credibility; however, if someone is looking for a book that is more steeped in research, this would not be the author or book I would recommend.
Features: This book is split into 15 chapters with an epilogue and concludes with a helpful glossary, further reading options, references for figures, and an index. While it would be most beneficial to read each chapter in order as they build upon each other, the chapters can be read individually. The chapters cover basic information about cannabis, its mechanisms of actions, potential uses in medicine and spirituality, and special considerations for different populations. There are some helpful figures throughout the chapters, but future editions should include direct references to facts stated in the book instead of references only to the listed figures.
Assessment: I enjoyed reading this book given the way it presents a vast, complicated topic in a practical, balanced way. The author has great hopes for how cannabis can be helpful, but also identifies potential risks. The book covers topics (such as spiritual matters) that are typically not reviewed in such detail. In future editions, I would encourage research data to be better incorporated with direct references listed. This will expand the readership and provide more credibility to the book.

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