C.B.D. Three letters at the beginning of the alphabet that everyone has on their minds and somehow make it into almost every conversation. “What is it? Can I benefit from taking it? Why does it seem that every retailer is selling it now?”
CBD has swept the world with curiosity in the last year and has become a major trend in the health and wellness industry. Luckily, Laura Lagano, MS, RDN, CDN, and Hoboken resident since 1991, is a nutritionist and holistic cannabis practitioner who is here to answer all your burning questions and shed some light on her journey into the cannabis industry. We were lucky enough to sit down with Laura and pick her brain on her life, her career, and what it is that she loves most about being a Mile Square resident — discover more on her profession, cannabis, and more below.
Her Journey Into the Cannabis Industry
It was Laura’s daughter, Isabella, who led her to explore the cannabis and CBD as a “healing modality.”
“Isabella had grand mal seizures as an infant and young child, apraxia {a speech disorder}, and other challenges,” Laura said. “Because I was dissatisfied with what conventional medical care had to offer my daughter, I decided to take my knowledge of nutrition and add to it with advanced training from the Institute of Functional Medicine, the premier certification program in the field.”
Ultimately, this mother of three {Isabella is a twin and has one other sibling} became one of the top Registered Dietitians Nutritionists in the field of integrative nutrition, as well as in biomedical treatments in autism. Laura managed Isabella’s epilepsy, apraxia, autism, and other diagnoses with food, nutrition, essential oils, hemp-derived CBD, and much more.
Defying the predictions of medical experts when she was younger, Isabella is a young adult who never stops talking, works at ShopRite in Hoboken, and is on her way to independence.
Laura’s Background
Author of The CBD Oil Miracle, Laura is an Integrative + Functional Nutritionist and Holistic Cannabis Practitioner with an in-person and online private practice, focusing on brain, gut, immune, and thyroid health. Because of her experience with hemp-derived CBD with her daughter Isabella, who has a developmental delay, Laura co-founded the Holistic Cannabis Academy and served as its Education Director. The Holistic Cannabis Academy is an online learning platform for healthcare professionals, caretakers, and patients with information on how to integrate cannabis and CBD into nutrition, yoga, meditation, and more practices. With her background and experience in nutrition, functional medicine, cannabis/CBD, and autism, Laura stands alone. No other health practitioner anywhere offers such progressive services.
Also a sought-after speaker, Laura presents regularly at local and national conferences about cannabis/CBD, nutrition, and functional medicine. Most recently, she gave a talk entitled, “CBD Is Everywhere!: Navigating Its Role in Nutrition & the Marketplace” at the Food + Nutrition Conference + Expo attended by 12,000 of her nutrition colleagues.
Read more: These Hoboken + Jersey City CBD Shops Will Literally Calm Your Nerves
Laura has also spoken about the healing properties of cannabis/CBD at local events including Women Grow, CannaGather, Erbe Verde, HighNY, JCC Manhattan, and Delta Flora. Be sure to sign up for Laura’s newsletter to learn about her upcoming appearances plus tidbits about cannabis/CBD and nutrition on her website.
But all of that pales in comparison, she says, to becoming a mother. “No question, the highlight of my life has been the births of my children Victoria and my twins Isabella and Zachary.” But as far as her career, speaking in October 2019 at the annual conference — Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo about CBD and having her book about CBD published by St. Martin’s Press were top contenders as well.
“I never imagined as a nutrition and health education student at Columbia University that I’d learn about cannabis and its healing properties through one of my children, co-produce a cannabis education program, write a book about CBD, get appointed to the advisory board of the original medical marijuana conference, and serve as the education director for a cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles and a CBD Store in Austin,” she explains, proudly. “Who knows what else is in store!”
See More: Where to Find CBD Oil Locally
On a Typical Day as a Cannabis Practitioner
There is no such thing as a typical day, it seems, for Laura. “I may speak at a conference, have an exhibit at an event, report on a meeting as a member of the press, or attend a seminar to learn. Of course, I may see clients in person or online, advising about food, nutrition, supplements, and cannabis/CBD,” she shared with us. “Much of my time is spent consulting with various organizations about the ancient plant to help lift the stigma that I call “cannaphobia.”
Laura’s Book, The CBD Oil Miracle
If you’ve been curious about CBD, or cannabidiol, a cannabinoid in the cannabis plant and how it can help, this book is definitely a must-read. The healing properties of this ancient plant are linked to boostimg mood, relieving pain, calming inflammation, improving heart health, strengthening bones, promoting brain health, balancing hormones, and potentially regulating the immune system. The CBD Oil Miracle guides you through the history and science behind cannabis {aka hemp} and will help to:
- Determine the dosage and intake form that is right for you
- Become an informed CBD shopper
- Use CBD to help with more than 30 health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, autism, depression, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues, insomnia, and migraine
- Benefit from the anti-aging effects CBD can bring to your beauty and skincare routine
- Boost your immune system, heart, and brain health
- And, even calm anxious pets
Needless to say, her book is a must-read if you’re looking to familiarize yourself with the benefits of CBD, or are simply looking to learn more about it.
Read More: Hemp Garden CBD {Hoboken’s First Ever CBD Store} Is Open
Working with Laura
You can consult with Laura at her home office on uptown Bloomfield Street or via telehealth for Personalized Lifestyle Coaching, which can include food, nutrition, supplement, and cannabis/CBD recommendations. During an appointment, Laura discusses the unique health and wellness needs and personal pace of each client. Using the functional medicine model, Laura considers food habits, health status, daily activities, sleep hygiene, beliefs, self-care, relationships, and much more in order to guide recommendations.
HOBOKEN GIRL DISCLAIMER:
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.
What are your experiences with CBD + healing?
Let us know in the comments!
