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There are 4 modules in this course
This Healthy Aging and Future of Cannabis Research course is designed to have you think critically about the health effects of cannabis (i.e., marijuana) in the context of inflammation, exercise, and aging. You'll learn how inflammation and the microbiome may be related to the disorders discussed in class, and how cannabis may influence these disorders through modulating inflammation. We'll describe the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and exercise, and how cannabinoids may affect exercise performance and recovery. You'll learn how to identify key features of aging and how cannabinoids may influence the aging process. Obtaining this knowledge will be helpful in terms of informing public policy, public health, and personal decisions regarding the use of cannabis products.
In this module, we will discuss how our gut microbiome and endocannabinoid system influences inflammatory disease states. We will also discuss how the gut and brain communicate and regulate inflammatory states through what is known as the "gut-brain axis."
What's included
5 videos7 readings1 assignment
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 31 minutes
Introduction to Module•2 minutes
Lecture - Overview of Inflammation and the Microbiota Gut Brain Axis•7 minutes
Lecture - Chronic Inflammation and Disease States•7 minutes
Lecture - Cannabinoids and Inflammation•7 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis and Inflammatory Disease States•8 minutes
In this module, we will discuss the role of endocannabinoids in exercise, and how cannabis may impact exercise. We will also discuss the importance of exercise recovery, and how cannabis may impact recovery.
What's included
5 videos5 readings
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 39 minutes
Introduction to Module•4 minutes
Lecture - Endocannabinoids and Exercise•10 minutes
Lecture - Effects of Cannabis on Performance•7 minutes
Lecture - Effect of Cannabinoids on Recovery•8 minutes
Lecture - Cannabis and Professional Sports•10 minutes
5 readings•Total 52 minutes
Lecture PDF•12 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Watch this video “I Smoked Two Blunts Before Every Game”: NFL Vets on Cannabis in Football•10 minutes
Healthy Aging and Cannabis
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we will discuss the common challenges older adults face while aging such as pain and depression, as well as common treatments used for these conditions tailored to this population. We will also discuss the research on cannabis for these conditions, and discuss the specific risks that this population faces with regards to cannabis use.
What's included
5 videos4 readings1 peer review
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 60 minutes
Introduction to Module•3 minutes
Lecture - Healthy Aging•15 minutes
Interview with Peter•18 minutes
Lecture - Older Adults and Cannabis•11 minutes
Lecture - The Bigger Picture•14 minutes
4 readings•Total 40 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Watch these videos•10 minutes
1 peer review•Total 60 minutes
Infographic Assignment #4•60 minutes
The Future of Cannabis Research
Module 4•2 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, we will do a quick overview of the main takeaways from this series of courses regarding the risks and benefits of cannabis use. We will discuss the controversies around using cannabis as a therapeutic and consider how cannabis could be used as an alternative medicine. We will discuss lingering questions and gaps in the literature and research that need to be filled. Lastly, we will discuss the Citizen's Science Initiative - a crowdsourcing data science project with the purpose of collecting much needed and relevant data on the health effects of cannabis for specific clinical populations.
What's included
4 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 44 minutes
Introduction to Module•5 minutes
Lecture - What have we learned?•13 minutes
Lecture - Should cannabis be viewed as "medicine"?•13 minutes
Lecture - Where do we go from here?•12 minutes
3 readings•Total 30 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
Lecture PDF•10 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 30 minutes
Exercise #4•30 minutes
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When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.