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The UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids (UCAN) is one of the first academic programs dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of cannabis. More than half a century of research restrictions and limited funding have contributed to a lack of scientific knowledge about cannabis, particularly regarding therapeutic use. As an increasing number of patients turn to cannabis, UCLA is committed to discovering how to maximize its therapeutic potential while minimizing potential health risks. UCAN’s mission is to advance scientific understanding of the impact of cannabis on the body, brain, mind, and society. To achieve this mission, UCAN engages in research on cannabis, education, and discourse across disciplines. UCAN’s work impacts healthcare providers and policymakers, as well as the general public.
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UCLA Mindful, the mindfulness education center at UCLA Health, is dedicated to advancing mindfulness education to promote individual and cultural well-being and resilience world-wide. Our mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based mindfulness programs that empower individuals and institutions to manage stress, enhance health, and cultivate inner and outer peace. Through educational programs, we strive to inspire transformative growth and contribute to a culture of compassion and wellness for all.
Mindful awareness can be defined as paying attention to present moment experiences with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be with what is. It is an excellent antidote to the stresses of modern times. Mindfulness invites us to slow down, breathe, observe, and connect with our inner experience. Mindfulness can be trained systematically, and can be implemented in daily life, by people of any background.
In the last 30 years, significant research suggests mindfulness can address health issues such as lowering blood pressure and boosting the immune system; increasing attention and focus; improving anxiety and depression through reducing emotional reactivity; and thickening the brain in areas in charge of decision making, emotional flexibility, and empathy.
Since 2006, the Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) has conducted research and offered educational programs and classes to the general public and within UCLA. As of 2023, MARC at the Semel Institute maintains a focus on research, while UCLA Mindful at UCLA Health emphasizes mindfulness education within the UCLA Health system and worldwide.
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Website: uclahealth.org/uclamindful
The Norman Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, together with the Mindful Awareness Research Center (Cousins-MARC), investigates the interactions between the mind, brain, and body in health. The shared mission of Cousins-MARC is to understand the role of psychological well-being for health and recovery from illness, and the translation of such knowledge into effective mind-body practices (e.g., mindful awareness, meditation, tai chi) that prevent disease and promote healing. Through its community and global educational platforms, Cousins-MARC fosters mindful awareness across a person’s lifespan to promote well-being and a more compassionate society.
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The UCLA Late-life Mood, Stress, and Wellness Research Program provides state-of-the-art stress, mood, cognitive, genetic, and brainscanning assessments, as well as opportunities to volunteer for clinical studies, including antidepressant and mind-body interventions, such as tai chi, yoga, and meditation.
Email: Helen Lavretsky, MD, MS
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