Course Overview

Central Nervous System (CNS) drugs as a class have profound effects and are very commonly used by patients of acupuncturists and Chinese medical practitioners. They also have serious adverse effects, drug-herb interactions, as well as potential interference with Chinese diagnostics. This seminar examines major CNS drugs and the dangers Chinese medical practitioners need to be aware of when combining with herbs and acupuncture. We will look at various types of biomedical treatments for Parkinson's disease, other neurodegenerative conditions, insomnia, epilepsy, as well as CNS stimulants and opioid drugs. Herb-drug and acupuncture-drug interactions will be explored for each type of drug.

Course Objectives

• Understand how central nervous system drugs and herbs interact.
• Identify the most common central nervous system drugs with potential for drug-herb interactions.
• Explore how major central nervous system drugs act on the body.

Course Outline

0 hrs - 30 minIntroduction.

30 min - 1 hrsDiscussion of individual central nervous system drug classes including functions, mechanisms of action, adverse drug reactions, red flags, Chinese medical affects, and specific drug-herb interactions.

1 hrs - 1.5 hrsDiscussion of potential drug-herb and drug-acupuncture interactions.

1.5 hrs - 2 hrsSummary.