We go to the doctor with the goal of feeling better, so it should come as no surprise that conventional medicine is often aimed at helping us deal with symptoms, rather than identifying and addressing the underlying cause. Such an approach is all the more likely in an overwhelmed healthcare system where doctors are increasingly unable to spend the time required to identify and address the root issues behind many "chronic" conditions, especially those with no immediately apparent source.

In this episode of the podcast, I spoke with Dr. Hyla Cass about what has fueled her career-long desire to get to the bottom of what ails her patients, whether as a replacement for, or alongside more conventional treatments. As a renowned expert in functional medicine, Dr. Cass has written extensively about topics such as the nutritional supplementation of prescription drugs, alternative approaches to overcoming addiction, and even ways patients can avoid addiction to begin with by employing natural ways to elevate mood, battle stress, and increase energy.

Her latest passion involves the many uses of CBD oil for the treatment of a variety of conditions, which she writes about in her new book Your Amazing Itty Bitty Guide to Cannabis: 15 Key Steps to Understanding the Many Benefits of the Cannabis Plant.

In this episode, we discuss:

The importance of recognizing emotional trauma in the treatment of physical symptoms
Prevention and treatment of postpartum depression
The potential link between prescription drugs and mass shootings
The influence of economics on healthcare policy and conventional medical treatment in the US
Her viewpoint as a physician on the challenges facing the US health insurance system
How CBD oil can be used to address a wide variety of issues
Recent developments (and historic research) into the use of hallucinogenics to treat mental illness
The importance of organic eating, moving every day, and social/family activities to promoting health and well-being

Links:

Dr. Cass' website

Link to the article Dr. Cass wrote about the possible connection between prescription drugs and mass shootings.

Link to the Weed documentary with Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Projectcbd.org, a site recommended for information relating to the research behind CBD oil.

ewg.org, the environmental working group site dedicated to empowering people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.

Link to the Secret Ingredients movie we discussed, about the unexpected impact of the ingredients in our every day foods.

Your Amazing Itty Bitty Guide to Cannabis: 15 Key Steps to Understanding the Many Benefits of the Cannabis Plant

8 Weeks to Vibrant Health 2016: A Take-Charge Plan for Women to Correct Imbalances, Reclaim Energy and Restore Well-Being

Supplement Your Prescription: What Your Doctor Doesn't Know about Nutrition

Natural Highs: Supplements, Nutrition, and Mind-Body Techniques to Help You Feel Good All the Time

8 Weeks to Vibrant Health

Episode 25: Dr. Hyla Cass - A Purposeful Approach to Functional Medicine