15 California CEUs Category 1 pending, California Acupuncture Board Provider CPE 142
14 NCCAOM PDAs pending
Date: November 1 & 8 (two Sundays), 9:00 am – 5:30 pm PST or 12:00 – 8:30 pm EST
Location: Your office
Tuition: Early-bird $350
• Late registration after October 18: $395
Cancellation policy: Cancellations received up to Oct. 18 receive a full refund less a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds can be given after Oct. 18, 2026.
To register by credit card: Register online with the button above
Questions? Contact us at info@snowlotus.org or 800 682-8827
Addictions are endemic to most cultures and clearly present a pandemic today. Addictive substances include not only soft, hard and prescription drugs, but common food drugs such as refined sugar and modern wheat. All addictive substances create and perpetuate a craving that, under the right social, emotional, nutritional and neurochemical conditions, has the potential for turning into a full-blown addiction. These same conditions can also create addictive or compulsive behaviors, such as gambling and hoarding.
All cravings and addictions result from and in turn promote an imbalance of the Shen, the mind and spirit. This seminar goes to their root by adopting two systemic approaches. First, understanding the patterns of neurochemical imbalance in the brain with their hormonal/neurotransmitter deficiencies. Second, applying the three patterns of Shen disharmony with their wide range of mental states, distressed feelings and pathogenic emotions. These patterns together cause typical Qi, blood and fluids pathology that can be diagnosed at any stage of the craving-addiction spectrum.
Herbal medicines, formulas and essential oils are powerful treatment tools for managing cravings and addictions of all types. The treatment protocols presented can be applied first, preventively to manage chronic food and drug cravings, thereby reducing the chances of them becoming an actual addiction. The protocols also involve finding the best nutritional balance, and avoidance of certain addictive foods for each type of craving.
Second, the treatment strategies discussed can also apply to dismantling an actual addiction, whether a food addiction, such as addiction to modern techno-wheat and sugar products, or to legal drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and opioid medications. A key treatment here is the use of essential oils by mild inhalation to modulate psychoneuroendocrine functions and recreate brain peptide balance. Oils are neuroactive when carefully and individually selected for treatment; they can be highly effective for acute conditions requiring mood stabilization and craving reduction.
Essential oils and herbal remedies can also address chronic conditions when treating the systemic condition becomes paramount; together they can provide energetic, nutritional and emotional support. We will discuss the energetic and neuroendocrine functions of important oils and points, as well as the typical patterns of peptide, Shen and emotional imbalance they are able to treat.
This information-packed seminar will present the essential theoretical and practical information needed to start incorporating essential oils and herbs for treating cravings and addictions effectively and safely in clinical practice.
• Differentiate between a compulsive craving and an addiction, and their treatment differences
• Examine the six basic patterns of neurochemical brain imbalance that underlie all craving and addiction
• Discuss craving and addiction as expressions of energetic, emotional or nutritional imbalance
• Survey detailed profiles of common addictive substances, including nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, opioid medication, refined sugar and modern techno-wheat, including their short- and long-term injurious effects on Qi, Blood, Jing and Shen.
• Explore the olfactory use of neuroactive essential oils to modulate brain chemistry and resolve cravings and addictions
• Diagnose commonly seen craving-addiction conditions by the three essential patterns of Shen disturbance in Chinese Medicine
• Learn simple but powerful techniques using essential oils with points for quickly stabilizing acute patients, as well as for reducing cravings
• Consider comprehensive treatment strategies for important addiction patterns using herbs, essential oils, nutrition and points
... and much more!
"My favorite part of this seminar was discussing the brain syndromes and the essential oils for regulating brain chemistry. I am very grateful for the depth of knowledge that you share and your meticulous research and care."
– Beth Bullen LAc
"I enjoyed the completeness of the presentation, which included the historical and cultural context of addictive substances. Thank you Peter for your intellectual curiosity and high standards of excellence."
– Heidi Barlin LAc
"I have been working in this field my whole career and was pleased how you put it all together; that not only satisfies the Chinese strategy but includes the western paradigm. Thank you!"
– Carol Ragle LAc
"Peter's extensive knowledge of the neurotransmitters and peptides and all the information we received about the different addictive substances was very eye-opening."
– Kathleen Roberts LAc
"I appreciate the amount of information Peter shared. He is really brilliant and I feel this class elevates our practice and understanding of energy, Qi and our craft to a higher level of what can be done with it."
– Linda McCray LAc
"Peter offered a wealth of information, information which was clearly and concisely organized and presented. The richest learning is from someone who loves what they do, and I really appreciated gaining some deeper understanding of the oils from someone who clearly loves and respects the gifts of the essential oils he uses. And I am already using this learning in my treatments."
– Pamela Bradford LAc
"This seminar provided a unique perspective on addictions and cravings. The techniques and philosophy will be invaluable for many who struggle with any kind of addiction."
– Tina Dreisbach ND, LAc
"Thank you for this amazing class! I so appreciate the depth of study, the passion, the integrity and the immediate usefulness of the information and the overall experience. Please continue your important work in this world, knowing that you are respected and appreciated!"
– Jo Blaine LAc
