WATCH: From high to health — the evolution of cannabis applications in APAC

Today, a renewed public interest in the therapeutic qualities of cannabis is being driven by a growing number of scientific studies focused on assessing its effects on cognitive health, chronic pain, and even conditions such as Tourette syndrome and Alzheimer's disease.

This has encouraged supplement, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical firms alike to launch health products containing CBD, to varying degrees of commercial success, all while subject to a fragmented regulatory landscape.

In this month's Nutrition​ Asia​ series, we speak to Belinda Reynolds, BioCeuticals' Director of Research, Product Development and Emerging Markets, who tells us about the challenges industry faces in developing CBD-based supplements and nutraceuticals.

In addition, she shares her outlook on the regulatory landscape for CDB nutraceuticals in the APAC region, and sheds light on what researchers are looking for in the area of cannabinoids and their potential health benefits.

We also speak to Assoc Prof Yew Wen Shan, deputy director of Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI) at the National University of Singapore (NUS), about his team's involvement in the National Research Foundation's (NRF) research programme on synthetic cannabinoid production and its therapeutic potential.

He explains how researchers and regulators are working together to improve public health and protect public interest with regards to medicinal cannabis in Singapore, and elaborates on longer-term R&D plans to uncover its full therapeutic potential.

Watch the video to find out more