Bio: Dr. Pressman graduated from Bowdoin College and earned his MD from Northwestern University. He also has an MS in Neuroscience. Dr. Pressman's research interest is transitional medicine, with a particular interest in herbal products migrating from Thailand and other eastern countries

Abstract: Our intent is to underscore the importance of critically re-exploring ancient and enduring medical traditions. We support the view that rediscovering and augmenting the elements of the past, especially in the context of Eastern traditions, will inform and strengthen the global future. In the absence of the historical and multicultural perspective, it could be argued that we have become rather myopic or focused within discrete silos; we seem continually to re-invent the wheel in successively refined form without truly evaluating foundations, traditions, and history of use. This situation suggests that technologically sophisticated investigators and clinicians are not necessarily aware of the full spectrum of the safety, efficacy, clinical indications, and guidelines for the use of many naturally sourced pharmacologic formulations with a remarkably long history of widespread use and with implications for valuable and innovative drug development. We discuss cannabidiol (CBD) as illustrative of such an opportunity.