QUESTION Does CBD Oil help Diabetic Gastroparesis? ANSWER I have treated a handful of patients with Diabetic Gastroparesis. And, Medical Cannabis - either Medical Marijuana or buying CBD Oil - has, in fact, been effective for them. QUESTION Does Medical...

Typically, I’m the one to answer your questions about Medical Marijuana & CBD Oil, but this time around I brought on an anesthesiologist - Dr. Amita Kundra - to help answer the all important question - Is it okay to take CBD Oil or Medical Marijuana before...

    QUESTION: My wife has Stage IV Cervical Cancer. She’s been through 6 sessions of chemotherapy. And, she’s about to start 5 weeks of radiotherapy. I had been led to believe through some articles that CBD Oil is excellent treatment for cancer-related pain....

    Question:  What CBD Oil would you recommend for Fibromyalgia? I have tried to buy CBD Oils in the past, but they’ve never worked & it’s a lot of money to keep trying different CBD Oils.  Question: Why do I still have joint pain even though I’m using...

    QUESTION What is the difference between hemp and marijuana? What is the difference in the amount of CBD and THC in both? ANSWER The difference between hemp and marijuana comes down to the amount of THC. Hemp, by law, has less than 0.3% THC. And, by...

    QUESTION I’ve always wanted to try CBD Oil. When I’ve smoked marijuana before, it made me feel horrible. It gave me anxiety & panic attacks. What makes CBD Oil different than marijuana? And, could CBD Oil cause Anxiety & Panic Attacks or do you...

    QUESTION Could a nurse using CBD Oil test positive for drugs? ANSWER Drug tests typically test for breakdown products of THC, not even THC itself. CBD Oil has THC in it. By law, a hemp-derived CBD Oil should have less than 0.3% THC in it. By default, a...

    QUESTION Is vaping good or bad?  ANSWER Vaping could be a good option. But, what you need to watch out for is the solvent that’s used to make the vape oil. You want to make sure it’s not a solvent that’s toxic and harmful to your health. Toxic solvents...

    QUESTION What strain of Medical Marijuana do I use? ANSWER You don’t want to purchase Medical Marijuana-based on the name of the strain. The name of the strain is arbitrarily determined.  The combination of CBD & THC in a strain like Gorilla Glue at...

    Question: I wonder about topical CBD products for mild pain. How do patients know which topical CBD products to buy? Answer: Let’s start by talking about CBD topicals and what they’re effective for. In my clinical practice, I’ve found topical CBD...

    QUESTION: I have relapsing and remitting Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My neurologist has suggested I try medical marijuana, but I just can’t afford it. Would CBD derived from hemp be a good alternative for me or a waste of money?  ANSWER: When it comes to...

  QUESTION: How can CBD Oil help with stomach problems, pain & gastric problems? ANSWER: Main problems that people have when it comes to the abdominal region is cramping which causes pain. So, CBD has anti-spasmodic properties, meaning that it helps to relax...

    QUESTION: What are the benefits of CBD Oil to help with Addison’s Disease? ANSWER: Addison’s Disease is a condition in which the body doesn’t produce sufficient cortisol. Clinically, I haven’t seen either Medical Marijuana or CBD Oil affect conditions of...

    QUESTION: Does CBD Oil interact with other drugs? ANSWER: In general in the years that I’ve treated patients - and I’ve been treating patients since 2012 - I have not had patients report back any drug to CBD Oil interactions. And, a lot of these patients...

    Question: What strain of marijuana is best for the feeling of glass shards in one’s hands and feet? What’s the best way to use CBD Oil for Neuropathy? Answer:  When it comes to marijuana, ultimately the way you want to think about it is the amount of THC...

    Question: Does CBD Oil interact with medications, specifically Valproic Acid (Valproate)? Answer: Research on the pharmaceutical version of CBD - known as Epidiolex - showed elevated liver enzyme levels in children who were given CBD with the...

    QUESTION I have chronic migraines & would like to know dosage and milligrams of CBD to take.  How many milligrams of CBD should a patient take for severe Anxiety & Pain? ANSWER It’s a tough question to answer because it’s not black and white....

  QUESTION Does CBD Oil help a person with Type 1 Diabetes? ANSWER In the time that I’ve treated patients with Medical Cannabis & CBD Oil, a lot of these patients came to me for either chronic pain, anxiety, or insomnia, but they also happened to have...

    QUESTION  Is CBD Oil still effective if mixed with food, such as apple sauce? ANSWER CBD Oil should totally be effective when mixed with food. The CBD should still get absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract. QUESTION Is CBD Oil or Medical Marijuana...

    So, a couple of times, I’ve mentioned that I generally advise my patients to not smoke marijuana.  Today, I’m going dive into the reasons why. So, let’s start with the overall effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs. Smoking marijuana on a regular...

    QUESTION: I am hypothyroid and have liver disease from Hepatitis C. I already use Theramu - a CBD Oil. Is there more I can do? ANSWER: With Hypothyroid, research has shown that any form of Cannabis does not have a significant impact on thyroid hormone...

    QUESTION  Just how different are CBD Oil products from Marijuana? Marijuana gives me Anxiety. I’m interested in giving CBD Oil a try, but I don’t want to feel Anxiety from CBD Oil as well. ANSWER The main difference between CBD Oil and Marijuana boils...

I brought on Attorney Luke Williams of Barnett, Howard & Williams: Attorneys & Counselors at Law to help answer the all-important question - IS CBD OIL LEGAL IN TEXAS? Luke Williams has been in practice for over a decade. And, in that decade plus, he’s spent...

      QUESTION How frequently do you dose CBD Oil? How do you dose CBD Oil with children of varying ages? ANSWER When it comes to frequency of dosing, there is such a thing as overdoing CBD Oil. When you overdo CBD Oil, you develop a tolerance to it....

  Everyone around you is talking about CBD Oil and you’re too ashamed to admit you don’t know what it is. That’s ok.  That’s what I’m here for.   So, first of all, let me lay the foundation.   We a family of plants - the Cannabis family of plants.  ...

  Nowadays, you’ll find generally two basic types of CBD Oils on the market - Full-Spectrum and Isolate. Before I dive into the differences, let back up a bit and set the stage. CBD can come from Hemp or it can come from Marijuana. Now in addition to making CBD,...

  I’m going to answer this question assuming that the following are in place. You’ve determined with the help of a physician that you want to buy CBD Oil and that it is right for you. Remember CBD Oil is very effective for certain medical conditions, but not...

    In the time that I’ve treated thousands of patients with CBD Oil & Medical Marijuana since back in 2012, I have not had any patients report an allergic reaction to either CBD Oil or Medical Marijuana.  That’s not to say it’s not possible.  But, I...

Gina of La Jolla, CA writes in about her 16 year-old son who has ADHD. They’ve gone the route of prescription meds, but can’t seem to escape the myriad of side effects. And, she wants more info about CBD Oil. Dr. Patel, I have a 16 year-old son with ADHD. It’s been a...

Dr. Patel, I haven't bought CBD oil yet but I'm looking. I would really like to try it but scared that I’ll end up with the fake stuff.  There's a lot out of brands out there and I don't want to be ripped off. How can you tell if a CBD Oil might be fake?  Can you give...

To know what “PURE” CBD oil, you need to know what isolate CBD is. Isolate CBD, as the name implies, is just the CBD that’s been extracted from the hemp plant and isolated from the other cannabinoids and chemicals found in hemp. The CBD is typically isolated using a...

  When I google cbd oil I get hemp oil sites. Are they the same thing? I’m going to keep this super simple. You have Cannabidiol - CBD. CBD can come from Hemp and it can come from Marijuana. When CBD is extracted from Hemp, it’s known as Hemp Oil. When CBD is...

How to Get Medical Marijuana in Texas   In 2015, the Texas Compassionate Use Act legalized the prescription of low-THC cannabis for patients with Intractable Epilepsy. What is Intractable Epilepsy? Epilepsy is disorder that is characterized by unpredictable...

Does CBD Oil Help Autism? Dr. Patel, My son has Autism, which breaks down to having severe Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder, and he also has Tourette Syndrome. Conventional...

Does CBD Oil Help Acne?     Dr. Patel, I’m getting desperate to try anything to stop my Acne. I’ve had it for years and it’s the sole reason for loosing my confidence. Some days I’m so embarrassed by it that I don’t even want to go out in public. I’m seeing...

Dr. Patel, With all the hype around CBD Oil, it’s easy to find information about all it’s benefits, but what about it’s side effects? It would be nice to know about the adverse effects of CBD Oil as well. It’s a medication after-all and no medication comes without...

Bill of New York, New York has been booted to the guest room by his wife until he can get a grip on his tossing and turning. He’s can’t sleep for the life of him. The over-the-counter sleeping aids stopped working. And the Ambien made him sleep walk. He’s run into a...

Does CBD Oil Relieve Back Pain? Bob of Millburn, NJ can’t sit through meetings because of his Back Pain. He’s tried the Tylenol, Advil, Aleve and even the prescription meds. And, none of it is cutting it. He wants to know what sort of results he can expect by using...

    Unfortunately, I come to you bearing some bad news about CBD Oils. And, ultimately, it’s information you need to know because at the end of the day it affects your health. A recently published research study found some pretty dangerous chemicals in CBD...

  Dr. Patel, I sell a line of CBD Oil. I have some folks interested in the CBD Oil, but they are asking me if the CBD Oil is safe to take with their prescription medications. Could you explain the use of CBD oil and possible drug interactions? Regards, Laura...

Dr. Patel, So I've heard a bit about CBD oil and have been thinking about giving it a try. However, I have no idea where to buy it. I’m scared I’ll get sold the fake stuff. One of my friends purchased CBD oil from the internet, but when it arrived it had no info on...

Dr. Patel, I just started looking into CBD oils and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I just don’t know if it’s the sort of thing that could actually help me. Elle United Kingdom   Elle, you ask a great question. Nowadays, CBD Oil is being hyped as a cure-all, which...

Dr. Patel, I'm sad and disappointed. Maybe you can tell me why the CBD Oil by a brand called HempWorx didn't work for me at all. Emily New York, NY     When you run into a situation when your CBD Oil doesn’t work for you, there are a series of 5 basic...

It’s back by popular demand. I’m picking up on the series on how to get medical marijuana in various states. Today, we’re going to travel to Illinois - a state that I spent my college years at Northwestern University. So, let’s get started with how to get medical...

I don’t care what anyone says. If there’s anyone who knows anything about dosing, it’s me. Trust me, I’m a doctor.   At this point, if there’s one thing that I can tell you for sure, it’s that dosing varies highly from person to person. In fact, I’ll walk you...

Does CBD Help Neuropathy (Nerve Pain)? Samantha of Los Angeles, CA is experiencing horrid neuropathic (nerve) pain. After a lot of trial and error, she’s landed on a prescription drug that helps for the most part, but she’s in search of greater pain relief. And, wants...

CBD Oil comes in a wide variety of delivery methods. The most common of which include inhaling it, ingesting it, placing drops under the tongue, and applying it as a topical. And, given the myriad of ways to take CBD Oil, I’m sure it can get pretty confusing figuring...

CBD Oil is made using an extraction process. And, this extraction process can extract CBD plus the other cannabinoids creating a Full-Spectrum CBD oil or it can extract just CBD. And the CBD Isolate looks like a fine, white, crystalline powder, which is then used to...

Today, I’m going to walk you through the most important step to find the best CBD oil.   You need to know the exact amounts of cannabinoids that are in your CBD oil. Cannabinoids are the chemicals made the Cannabis family of plants - Hemp & Marijuana. And,...

Today, I’m walking you through STEP 4 of How to Find the Best CBD Oil.  So, yet another important factor to take into consideration is testing for residual solvents.   Now, to get a better understanding of what I’m talking about, I’ll walk you through some...

Today, I’m walking you through STEP 3 of How to Find the Best CBD Oil.  So, yet another important factor to take into consideration is testing for heavy metals. Let’s talk this one out.   First off, what the heck are heavy metals? Just like it says they’re metals...

Kate has been suffering through Migraine Headaches for the past 20 some-odd years. She’s tried everything from conventional to off-the-wall treatment. Nothing’s worked. She’s writing in to find out if CBD Oil would be a good option.   Dr. Patel, I need more info...

  I’m back to give you even more info on how to find the best CBD Oil. Another important factor to take into consideration is testing for fungus & bacteria. You want to make sure that the CBD Oil has been tested for both - fungus & bacteria. So, first of...

Both Medical Marijuana & CBD Oil are being touted as a natural alternative to conventional medications. But, are it really natural?  It’s no secret that there are both Marijuana & Hemp growers out there who use Pesticides.  So, whether you’re using Medical...

Katie of South Potomac, DE is an overwhelmed mom of 3 who’s finding that her Anxiety is preventing her from being the mom she wants to be.  She’s exercises and meditates, but sometimes that just doesn’t cut it to relieve her Anxiety.  So she’s wondering if CBD Oil...

I’ve been getting tons & tons of questions about how to find the best CBD Oil.  And, there are several different factors you have to take into consideration. So today we’re going to talk about one of those factors - pesticides.   I want to start by giving you...

What are the benefits of CBD Oil made from Hemp? You’ve probably heard of a buzzword on the interwebs spreading like wildfire - CBD Oil. So today, I’m going to answer the question, What are the benefits of CBD Oil? The CBD in CBD Oil most usually comes from hemp -...

  The other day someone asked me a very simple question. Should I use CBD Oil or should I use Medical Marijuana [otherwise known as Cannabis]? So, today, I’ll walk you through the cases in which you’re better off using CBD Oil and the scenarios in which you’re...

  Now, the need for a card or certification to get CBD Oil, in a nutshell, comes down to the legal status of CBD where you live and also what the source of CBD is. Remember that CBD can come from 2 sources.  It can come from marijuana.  And, it can come from...

  The long and short of it is that CBD does not get you high.  There’s been no known high linked to CBD. On the other hand, it’s a very well-established fact that it’s the THC in marijuana that gets you high, not the CBD.  Of course, it’s important to know that...

    The long and short of it is that marijuana is in fact stronger than it use to be.  And, there’s actually data to back statement up.   Is Marijuana (Cannabis) Stronger than it Used to be IN THE UNITED STATES? During the 1960s and 1970s, an average...

Sierra of New York, NY wrote in recently.  Looks like she’s had Multiple Sclerosis for several years now and is asking about the effect medical marijuana would have on her Multiple Sclerosis.  Here’s what she writes... Dr. Patel, On my 45th birthday, I found out that...

To answer this question, I’m going to break down what the research says about cannabis use while breastfeeding while ultimately answering the all important question,  Is it okay to use medical marijuana while breastfeeding?   So, let’s start with the question,...

  I’m not gonna lie. I’m not the athletic type. In fact, way back when I was about 40 pounds heavier, exercise wiped me out. I remember being awe of my college friends who had tons and tons of energy after they worked out. In the meanwhile, I laid there like a...

Today’s question comes in from Devin.  And, he writes… Who is eligible to register with the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC)? Any Maryland resident whose provider approves medical cannabis as a treatment option for a qualifying medical condition is eligible...

So as soon as I published info on HOW TO GET MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN NEW JERSEY, the New Jersey Dept. of Health made some changes to the Medical Marijuana Program in New Jersey. So, I’m going to update you on these changes that went into effect March 27, 2018.   #1...

  Alright, I’m incredibly excited about today’s topic.  It’s cause I’m still continuing with the theme of walking you through how to get medical marijuana in various states across America.  And, today, I’m talking about a very special state.  It’s New Jersey....

    Alright so continuing with theme of walking you through how to get medical marijuana in various states, today I’m going to go through how to get medical marijuana in New York. And, in fact, I was looking through the comments on my YouTube videos, and one...

  So, a couple of times, I’ve mentioned that I generally advise my patients to not smoke marijuana.  Today, I’m going dive into the reasons why. So, let’s start with the overall effects of smoking marijuana on the lungs. Smoking marijuana on a regular basis...

A couple days ago, Sujeevan asked me if marijuana helps to lose weight. And, he’s actually not the only one to ask me this question.  It’s a question I get asked a lot. So, let’s dive into the answer.     Research has shown that turning marijuana receptors...

I’m sure you’re familiar with marijuana causing snacking behavior.  It’s more commonly known as getting the munchies.  Based on what the research says and what I’ve seen clinically, certain types of marijuana without a doubt stimulate appetite.  In other words, it...

On today’s episode, I brought on a veterinarian.  Now you may be wondering, as a doctor that treats humans, why I’ve brought a veterinarian onto the show.  It’s because my human patients are constantly asking me questions about using medical marijuana for their pets....

If you’ve watched previous episodes of Ask Dr. Patel, then you’ve heard me go on and on about patients that could benefit from the use of medical marijuana, but today, I want to talk about who shouldn’t use medical marijuana.  Really, these are people that should...

Are there ways to use medical marijuana without smoking it? The simple answer is that there are in fact other ways to use medical marijuana other than smoking it. Before I dive into the other ways to use medical marijuana, I want to briefly go over why you don’t want...

For those considering using medical marijuana that are already on other prescriptions medications, this is a huge concern. So, I’m going to do a deep-dive into this topic with you - by starting with the basics.   What is Cytochrome (CYP) P450? When we’re talking...

The questions have been pouring in from the Aussies about medical marijuana.  And, I’m happy to say I finally have answers for you! Watch the video to learn about the latest developments surrounding medical marijuana in Australia.   I invited Erin Nulty of Joplin...

Thinking about buying some CBD Oil.  Watch this video to make sure that you’re making a well-informed decision. CBD OIL. Everyone is talking about it.  It seems to be all the rage.  And, you’re trying to figure out what the heck CBD Oil even is.  And, you’re wondering...

  From a medical standpoint, it just comes down to how you choose to use it. Some people are looking to get high off of marijuana. Then, there are others that don’t want to get high off of marijuana and are simply looking to get a medical benefit from it. Every...

Marijuana for Pain How Does Marijuana Relieve Pain?   Modulation Along the Pain Pathways Today, I’ve decided to answer a question that I feel like my patients should be asking me, but don’t.  And, it may be because it’s just not something that’s at the top of a...

So, I’m continuing to answer that question as to how exactly marijuana relieves pain. Again, I just wanted to remind you that this is a 3 part series. And, this is part 3 of 3. So, another way that marijuana relieves pain is that it REDUCES INFLAMMATION. Have you seen...

So, I want to continue to answer that question as to how exactly marijuana relieves pain. Again, I just wanted to remind you that this is a 3 part series. And, this is part 2 of 3. So, another way that marijuana relieves pain is that it ALTERS THE PERCEPTION OF PAIN....

Today, I’ve decided to answer a question that I feel like my patients should be asking me, but don’t. And, it may be because it’s just not something that’s at the top of a patient’s mind. Really, what you’re focused on is relieving your pain. But, as a doctor, once I...

Does Dr. Patel see patients under the age of 18? She does, but minors need to be accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian.      

How much medical marijuana can I grow and possess? Under Prop. 215, patients are entitled to whatever amount of marijuana is necessary for their personal medical use. However, patients are likely to be arrested if they exceed the SB 420 guidelines. SB420 sets a...

What if I’m so sick that I can’t pick up my own medical marijuana? You can designate a caregiver to assist you.   What is a caregiver? A “primary caregiver” is a person who consistently assumes the responsibility for the housing, health or safety of the patient....

Can I fly with medical marijuana? I’m going to hand this one over to the TSA. Here’s what they say on their website. “TSA security officers do not search for marijuana or other drugs. In the event a substance that appears to be marijuana is observed during security...

Can I purchase marijuana medications from you? By law, I am not permitted to dispense marijuana medications. Can you recommend a dispensary that sells marijuana medications? By law, I cannot suggest a medical marijuana dispensary. What documents do I need to purchase...

What's the difference between a medical cannabis (marijuana) card and a medical cannabis (marijuana) license? A medical marijuana card is an easy to carry representation of the document given to you by the doctor if you are approved for the use of medical marijuana....

What's the difference between a medical marijuana (cannabis) prescription and a medical marijuana (cannabis) recommendation? It's important to understand that what I issue are medical marijuana (cannabis) recommendations, not medical marijuana (cannabis)...

What's a medical marijuana (cannabis) recommendation? A medical marijuana recommendation is a document that indicates that based on a physician's evaluation, he/she thinks that your medical condition may benefit from the use of medical marijuana. What's the difference...

Does the fact that I have a medical marijuana card stay confidential? Much like any other patient-physician relationship, the relationship between a patient and a physician specializing in Medical Marijuana is bound by the same standards of confidentiality established...

There are many medical uses of marijuana. I'm listing here some of the conditions I've successfully treated with medical marijuana. Anxiety PTSD Difficulty Sleeping Sleep Apnea Insomnia Migraines Arthritis  Rhuematoid Arthritis  Osteoarthritis Neuropathy Fibromyalgia...

How do I get an evaluation for a medical marijuana (cannabis) card? Any doctor licensed to practice in California could evaluate a patient and issue a medical marijuana (cannabis) card. So, you could potentially ask your own doctor to evaluate you.  However, not all...