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By Douglas C. Hall, M.D., GYN, and Functional Medicine Specialist
In traditional western medicine, the condition’s symptoms are typically the only aspect treated. However, this old way of thinking and managing patients is changing, as medical professionals begin to embrace and understand that Functional Medicine plays an immense role in not merely masking symptoms or treating one condition with pharmaceuticals, which often causes adverse side-effects and additional disorders to arise.
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional medicine is integrative medicine and health treated in an upstream pattern with a complete look at a person’s lifestyle, genetics, environmental, and social factors. The relationship of focusing on the whole person, disorder, and cause enhances precise optimal health and healing.
Dr. Douglas Hall, M.D. uses an integrative approach to medicine. He offers age management medicine for women and men to optimize health. Dr. Hall will evaluate you and tailor a patient-
specific treatment plan to maximize your potential. Using evidence-based medicine, their diagnostic and treatment services are directed towards promoting health. Dr. Hall has been practicing Western, Functional and Integrative Medicine for many years; he believes that each patient is unique, requiring his or her own treatment that is different from anyone else’s.
In addition to Health and Wellness, Dr.Hall’s practice incorporates medical marijuana to treat certain illnesses and disorders in acute conditions and chronically ill patients.
The History of Cannabis
Marijuana was first used for medical purposes. Over 4000 years ago, Asian Emperors utilized cannabis for its healing properties, noting exceptional improvements in edema issues. They also knew that it decreased anxiety and apprehension while boosting health in many individuals. In ancient Greece and Egypt, cannabis was reported in many manuscripts, describing its use for medical conditions such as eye disease, joint inflammation and as an anesthetic. Over 300 years ago, it was touted as a means to reduce depression. Cannabis has even been reported to reduce the menstrual complications of Queen Victoria. In the early 1900’s, the United States began growing cannabis for pharmaceutical companies to formulate it into medications.
Recreational Cannabis vs. Medical
Recreational Marijuana is legal in a few states, but for the most part, it is very different than the medical version. Firstly, recreational use cannabis is grown with very high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the mind-altering, “high” component of marijuana. The other element of marijuana is CBD (cannabinoids), which has many health benefits and doesn’t have the psychoactive effect of THC. And secondly, recreational marijuana is not regulated; therefore, users are rarely certain of the actual amounts of THC or CBD they ingest or inhale.
Our brain and nerve cells have cannabinoid receptors, so our bodies naturally react to CBD and THC by merging directly with our cells. Our natural endocannabinoid system works synergistically with both CBD and THC, creating a multitude of beneficial reactions in the body, including unique healing abilities.
Florida’s Medical Cannabis
There are different levels of medical marijuana, some with higher THC, some with very low THC depending on the disease being treated. In Florida, medical marijuana is highly controlled and operates very efficiently under vigorous guidelines.
early 1900’s, the United States began growing cannabis for pharmaceutical companies to formulate it into medications.
Recreational Cannabis vs. Medical
Recreational Marijuana is legal in a few states, but for the most part, it is very different than the medical version. Firstly, recreational use cannabis is grown with very high levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the mind-altering, “high” component of marijuana. The other element of marijuana is CBD (cannabinoids), which has many health benefits and doesn’t have the psychoactive effect of THC. And secondly, recreational marijuana is not regulated; therefore, users are rarely certain of the actual amounts of THC or CBD they ingest or inhale.
Our brain and nerve cells have cannabinoid receptors, so our bodies naturally react to CBD and THC by merging directly with our cells. Our natural endocannabinoid system works synergistically with both CBD and THC, creating a multitude of beneficial reactions in the body, including unique healing abilities.
Florida’s Medical Cannabis
There are different levels of medical marijuana, some with higher THC, some with very low THC depending on the disease being treated. In Florida, medical marijuana is highly controlled and operates very efficiently under vigorous guidelines.
Florida Marijuana Law’s Qualifying Conditions Include:
• Cancer
• Epilepsy
• Glaucoma
• HIV
• AIDS
• Seizures
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Chronic nonmalignant pain caused by a qualifying medical condition or that originates from a qualifying medical condition and persists beyond the usual course of that qualifying medical condition
• Patients can be considered for alternative disorders
About Dr. Douglas C. Hall, M.D., OB/GYN, and Functional Medicine Specialist
Dr. Douglas Hall was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1941. He received his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Florida, trained in functional medicine at the Institute of Functional Medicine in Gig Harbor, Washington, and served in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corp. Dr. Hall has 44 years experience in practice, with 25 in functional medicine. He is a member of the Age Management Medicine Group, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, the American Chiropractic Association Council on Nutrition, the Endocrine Society, and the Institute of Functional Medicine. In addition, he is a recipient of the Honor of the Diplomat of American Clinical Board of Nutrition.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Hall’s office today at 352-629-7955
Douglas C. Hall, M.D.
Dr. Hall has been in private practice for over 44 years and is a functional medicine expert.
352-629-7955
www.douglaschallmd.com
1317 SE 25th Loop, Ocala, FL 34471
