Welcome to this week’s episode of The Essential Strength Podcast!

This week, our guest is Dr. Shena Vender Ploeg, a Naturapathiic Physician, with a background in biochemistry, psychopharmacology and psychology. Shena is a specialist in endocannabinology and founder of Protanicals, the first physician-formulated cannabis product line in Oregon, as well as owning Merkaba Natural Health, her integrative medicine platform where she offers in-person and telemedicine services.

Shena is, in my opinion, a genius by any definition of the word, and her combination of passion and intellect are impossible to overlook. 

As Shena and I prepared for today’s conversation, my initial intent was to focus on the impact of botanical elements and plant medicine on mental health conditions - historically, currently and what Shena see’s coming on the horizon with these alternative medical interventions. But, I honestly did not realize just how broad this topic is, how much history is involved, how much research is currently being done, and how integrated alternative medicine is with mind-body practices. So, rather than take only a surface level look at alternative medicine, today is an overview, and in many ways a teaser, for future conversations with Shena on the Essential Strength Podcast. That being said, buckle up for today’s conversation because you are about to learn a TON.

Connect with Shena

• On Instagram - @shenabadena
• Explore her Physician-formulated cannabis products -  Protanicals

Be an Active Listener

If you enjoyed today’s conversation, do us a favor - screen shot the episode and share it on social media, Tag the podcast @essential.strength.podcast, tag me @dr.davidskolnik.dpt, and tag Shena @shenabadena - we’d love to know what you thought of this conversation. And, as always, every rating, review and subscription means more than I can say.

Your Action Plan 

If you have a predetermined bias with regards to alternative, naturopathic, or botanical medicine - I’d ask you to open your mind to the possibilities these forms of treatment present. To do some research for yourself. To connect with Shena via social media, or with a local naturopathic physician to learn what it is they really do. As Shena said, often people relate these terms to a form of psychedelia that conjures images of Grateful Dead Groupies and stereotypical hippies. But there is far more to this science than you, or I, realize.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed today’s conversation with Dr. Shena Vander Ploeg, and until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.