Dr. Kevin Frey, MD specializes in Internal Medicine in Canton, Ohio. and received his medical degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University after completing his residency at the Mayo Clinic. The CBDistillery™ partners with Dr. Kevin Frey, MD in order to educate consumers on the science of CBD and its potential to improve well-being and we’re excited to have the chance to hear from him directly and share it with you.
Who are you and how did you get started in medicine?
I am an internal medicine physician from Ohio. I first became interested in medicine because I wanted to help people feel and live better. I also love the intellectual challenges that the field of medicine brings to the table. It’s like being a consulting detective like Sherlock Holmes. You have to pay attention to very small details to solve a larger puzzle. It can be very exciting.
At what point in your career did you realize that CBD had medical efficacy?
It all started just by listening to my patient’s stories over the past few years. After a while, I heard enough positive stories from my patients that I felt that there must be some truth behind their experiences. I decided to research the literature myself and was pleasantly surprised by what I read.
Most traditionally trained M.D.’s won’t publicly voice their support for CBD, what made you decide to take that risk?
I don’t think it is a risk at all. Part of being a good doctor is paying attention to the evidence and modifying your practice accordingly. If there are potential treatments out there that can help my patients, I want to make sure I am aware of all available options. Not supporting CBD in light of the current evidence would be irresponsible and unscientific.
What do you typically prescribe/recommend CBD for?
Unfortunately, given my current relationship with The CBDistillery, I can’t make any medical claims as to what CBD can be used for. However, I would assume the conditions that could be helped by CBD mirror many of medical cannabis indications in most states that allow it.
Is there anyone that should/shouldn’t use CBD?
This is a very personalized decision that patients should have with their doctor. I think it can be a good supplement to any medical regimen, but at this point I would hesitate to make it first line therapy until larger randomized controlled trials can be performed.
Is CBD safe? Are there any side effects? Can you overdose?
Yes. The world health organization (WHO) published an statement on the safety of CBD recently. They felt that it was a safe compound with no potential for abuse. There have been no reported cases of overdoses. Side effects are mild, but can happen at higher dosages. These can include dry mouth, drowsiness, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure.
How should someone seeking relief consume CBD?
There are many different methods of administration, including: capsules, tinctures, salve, and by vaporizing. Higher dosages are best taken orally.
How much CBD should patients take?
This is highly variable for each person. I’d recommend starting low and gradually titrating upwards until the desired outcome is achieved.
Are there any misconceptions you’d like to clear up regarding CBD?
While it does come from cannabis, it does not cause any clinical intoxicating effects. It is also nonaddictive.
Is there anything patients should look for when purchasing CBD?
Reputable companies will test their products for purity in third party laboratories and publish these results on their website. If you don’t see this, run.
