Laura Stewart

PhD, Purdue University, 2005
Area of Study: Interdisciplinary Program in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition

MS, Purdue University, 2000
Area of Study: Health Promotion

BS, Colorado State University, 1998
Area of Study: Exercise Science

BS, University of Mary Washington, 1996
Area of Study: Biology

Professor, University of Northern Colorado
(2018 – Present)

Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado
(2015 – 2017)

Adjunct Assistant/Associate Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
(2007 – 2016)

Associate Professor, Louisiana State University
School of Kinesiology (2013-2014)

Assistant Professor, Louisiana State University
School of Kinesiology (2007-2013)

Postdoctoral Fellow, Adipocyte Signaling Laboratory
NIH-T-32 Botanical Training Program (2005-2007)

Cannabidiol and Focus Study (CBD-Focus)

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive hemp derivative, is an attractive therapeutic target, and is most supported by the scientific community as an antiepileptic, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic. Additionally, CBD may cause alterations in aspects of health and fitness, fatigue, stress, calmness, quality of life, cognitive function, ability to maintain focus, sleep quantity, and sleep quality. Cannabidiol may be associated with alterations in inflammatory response in the human body, which has implications in both healthy and diseased populations. In humans, natural killer cells (NKC) contain the highest concentrations of receptors associated with the endocannabinoid system and CBD. Human models have demonstrated that CBD use increases the percentage of NKC in peripheral blood. However, similar models found that CBD administration inhibits markers of NKC cytotoxic function, a beneficial cellular mechanism used to prevent malignant cell transformation and viral infection. The overarching goal of this investigation is to determine the effects of an 8-week CBD intervention on measures of fatigue, stress, calmness, quality of life, cognitive function, focus, health and fitness, and sleep quantity, and sleep quality. In addition, this study will explore a potential CBD mechanism of action with a focus on biomarkers of neural health, inflammation, liver health, kidney health, as well as NKC number and function.

Areas of Interest

Exploring the relationship between cannabis compounds and physical and mental health.

Optimizing health and human performance using complementary and integrative techniques.

• Flynn MG, McFarlin BK, Phillips MD, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL. Toll like receptor 4 and CD14 mRNA expression are lower in resistive exercise trained elderly women. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2003 Nov;95(5):1833-42. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00359.2003. Epub 2003 Jun 27. PubMed PMID: 12832426.
• McFarlin BK, Flynn MG, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL. Carbohydrate intake during endurance exercise increases natural killer cell responsiveness to IL 2. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2004 Jan;96(1):271-5. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00585.2003. Epub 2003 Sep 12. PubMed PMID: 12972438.
• McFarlin BK, Flynn MG, Campbell WW, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL. TLR4 is lower in resistance-trained older women and related to inflammatory cytokines. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 Nov;36(11):1876-83. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000145465.71269.10. PubMed PMID: 15514501.
• Stewart LK, Flynn MG, Campbell WW, Craig BA, Robinson JP, McFarlin BK, Timmerman KL, Coen PM, Felker J, Talbert E. Influence of exercise training and age on CD14+ cell-surface expression of toll-like receptor 2 and 4. Brain Behav Immun. 2005 Sep;19(5):389-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2005.04.003. PubMed PMID: 15963685.
• McFarlin BK, Flynn MG, Phillips MD, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL. Chronic resistance exercise training improves natural killer cell activity in older women. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005 Oct;60(10):1315-8. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/60.10.1315. PubMed PMID: 16282566.
• McFarlin BK, Flynn MG, Campbell WW, Craig BA, Robinson JP, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL, Coen PM. Physical activity status, but not age, influences inflammatory biomarkers and toll-like receptor 4. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2006 Apr;61(4):388-93. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/61.4.388. PubMed PMID: 16611706.
• McFarlin BK, Flynn MG, Mahon AK, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL, Lyle RM, Campbell WW. Energy restriction with different protein quantities and source: implications for innate immunity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006 Jul;14(7):1211-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2006.138. PubMed PMID: 16899802.
• Mahon AK, Flynn MG, Stewart LK, McFarlin BK, Iglay HB, Mattes RD, Lyle RM, Considine RV, Campbell WW. Protein intake during energy restriction: effects on body composition and markers of metabolic and cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Apr;26(2):182-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2007.10719600. PubMed PMID: 17536130; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2556253.
• Mahon AK, Flynn MG, Iglay HB, Stewart LK, Johnson CA, McFarlin BK, Campbell WW. Measurement of body composition changes with weight loss in postmenopausal women: comparison of methods. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007 May-Jun;11(3):203-13. PubMed PMID: 17508096; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2495082.
• Stewart LK, Flynn MG, Campbell WW, Craig BA, Robinson JP, Timmerman KL, McFarlin BK, Coen PM, Talbert E. The influence of exercise training on inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Oct;39(10):1714-9. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e31811ece1c. PubMed PMID: 17909397.
• Phillips MD, Flynn MG, McFarlin BK, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL, Ji H. Resistive exercise blunts LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha and Il-1 beta. Int J Sports Med. 2008 Feb;29(2):102-9. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-965115. Epub 2007 Sep 13. PubMed PMID: 17990210.
• Stewart LK, Soileau JL, Ribnicky D, Wang ZQ, Raskin I, Poulev A, Majewski M, Cefalu WT, Gettys TW. Quercetin transiently increases energy expenditure but persistently decreases circulating markers of inflammation in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. Metabolism. 2008 Jul;57(7 Suppl 1):S39-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2008.03.003. PubMed PMID: 18555853; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2596873.
• Stewart LK, Wang Z, Ribnicky D, Soileau JL, Cefalu WT, Gettys TW. Failure of dietary quercetin to alter the temporal progression of insulin resistance among tissues of C57BL/6J mice during the development of diet-induced obesity. Diabetologia. 2009 Mar;52(3):514-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-008-1252-0. Epub 2009 Jan 14. PubMed PMID: 19142628; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2758024.
• Morrison CD, Huypens P, Stewart LK, Gettys TW. Implications of crosstalk between leptin and insulin signaling during the development of diet-induced obesity. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 May;1792(5):409-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2008.09.005. Epub 2008 Sep 25. Review. PubMed PMID: 18852044; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2713765.
• Phillips MD, Flynn MG, McFarlin BK, Stewart LK, Timmerman KL. Resistance training at eight-repetition maximum reduces the inflammatory milieu in elderly women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Feb;42(2):314-25. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181b11ab7. PubMed PMID: 19927028.
• Stewart LK, Earnest CP, Blair SN, Church TS. Effects of different doses of physical activity on C-reactive protein among women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Apr;42(4):701-7. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c03a2b. PubMed PMID: 19952829; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2891301.
• Hasek BE, Stewart LK, Henagan TM, Boudreau A, Lenard NR, Black C, Shin J, Huypens P, Malloy VL, Plaisance EP, Krajcik RA, Orentreich N, Gettys TW. Dietary methionine restriction enhances metabolic flexibility and increases uncoupled respiration in both fed and fasted states. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2010 Sep;299(3):R728-39. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00837.2009. Epub 2010 Jun 10. PubMed PMID: 20538896; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC2944433.
• Henagan TM, Phillips MD, Cheek DJ, Kirk KM, Barbee JJ, Stewart LK. The melanocortin 3 receptor: a novel mediator of exercise-induced inflammation reduction in postmenopausal women?. J Aging Res. 2011 Jan 4;2011:512593. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/512593. PubMed PMID: 21253483; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3022199.
• Daray LA, Henagan TM, Zanovec M, Earnest CP, Johnson LG, Winchester J, Tuuri G, Stewart LK. Endurance and resistance training lowers C-reactive protein in young, healthy females. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2011 Oct;36(5):660-70. https://doi.org/10.1139/h11-077. Epub 2011 Oct 4. PubMed PMID: 21970447; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8802615.
• Rietschier HL, Henagan TM, Earnest CP, Baker BL, Cortez CC, Stewart LK. Sun-dried raisins are a cost-effective alternative to Sports Jelly Beans in prolonged cycling. J Strength Cond Res. 2011 Nov;25(11):3150-6. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31820f5089. PubMed PMID: 21881533; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7081390.
• Henagan TM, Forney L, Dietrich MA, Harrell BR, Stewart LK. Melanocortin receptor expression is associated with reduced CRP in response to resistance training. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012 Aug;113(3):393-400. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00107.2012. Epub 2012 Jun 7. PubMed PMID: 22678961; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4422369.
• Smith JW, Pascoe DD, Passe DH, Ruby BC, Stewart LK, Baker LB, Zachwieja JJ. Curvilinear dose-response relationship of carbohydrate (0-120 g·h(-1)) and performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013 Feb;45(2):336-41. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31827205d1. PubMed PMID: 22968309.
• Henagan TM, Lenard NR, Gettys TW, Stewart LK. Dietary quercetin supplementation in mice increases skeletal muscle PGC1α expression, improves mitochondrial function and attenuates insulin resistance in a time-specific manner. PLoS One. 2014;9(2):e89365. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0089365. eCollection 2014. PubMed PMID: 24586721; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3931728.
• Forney LA, Earnest CP, Henagan TM, Johnson LE, Castleberry TJ, Stewart LK. Vitamin D status, body composition, and fitness measures in college-aged students. J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Mar;28(3):814-24. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182a35ed0. PubMed PMID: 23897020; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8796704.
• Henagan TM, Stewart LK, Forney LA, Sparks LM, Johannsen N, Church TS. PGC1α -1 Nucleosome Position and Splice Variant Expression and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Overweight and Obese Individuals. PPAR Res. 2014;2014:895734. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/895734. Epub 2014 Dec 28. PubMed PMID: 25614734; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4295622.
• Henagan TM, Cefalu WT, Ribnicky DM, Noland RC, Dunville K, Campbell WW, Stewart LK, Forney LA, Gettys TW, Chang JS, Morrison CD. In vivo effects of dietary quercetin and quercetin-rich red onion extract on skeletal muscle mitochondria, metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. Genes Nutr. 2015 Jan;10(1):451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12263-014-0451-1. Epub 2014 Dec 27. PubMed PMID: 25542303; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4277553.
• O’Brien KV, Stewart LK, Forney LA, Aryana KJ, Prinyawiwatkul W, Boeneke CA. The effects of postexercise consumption of a kefir beverage on performance and recovery during intensive endurance training. J Dairy Sci. 2015 Nov;98(11):7446-9. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9392. Epub 2015 Aug 20. PubMed PMID: 26298752.
• O’Brien K, Boeneke C, Prinyawiwatkul W, Lisano J, Shackelford D, Reeves K, Christensen M, Hayward R, Ordonez KC, Stewart LK. Short communication: Sensory analysis of a kefir product designed for active cancer survivors. J Dairy Sci. 2017 Jun;100(6):4349-4353. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12320. Epub 2017 Apr 21. PubMed PMID: 28434726.
• Bajpeyi S, Covington JD, Taylor EM, Stewart LK, Galgani JE, Henagan TM. Skeletal Muscle PGC1α -1 Nucleosome Position and -260 nt DNA Methylation Determine Exercise Response and Prevent Ectopic Lipid Accumulation in Men. Endocrinology. 2017 Jul 1;158(7):2190-2199. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2017-00051. PubMed PMID: 28398573; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5505213.
• Forney LA, Lenard NR, Stewart LK, Henagan TM. Dietary Quercetin Attenuates Adipose Tissue Expansion and Inflammation and Alters Adipocyte Morphology in a Tissue-Specific Manner. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Mar 17;19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030895. PubMed PMID: 29562620; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5877756.
• Forney LA, Dietrich MA, Johannsen NM, Henagan TM, Tuuri G, Nelson AG, Barkemeyer AK, Stewart LK. Emerging Relationships Between Vitamin D Status, Physical Activity Habits, and Immune Indices in College-Aged Females. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2017 Mar;87(1-2):49-58. https://doi.org/10.1024/0300-9831/a000424. Epub 2018 Jul 16. PubMed PMID: 30010516.
• Stewart LK, Smoak P, Hydock DS, Hayward R, O’Brien K, Lisano JK, Boeneke C, Christensen M, Mathias A. Milk and kefir maintain aspects of health during doxorubicin treatment in rats. J Dairy Sci. 2019 Mar;102(3):1910-1917. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15576. Epub 2019 Jan 17. PubMed PMID: 30660421.
• Lisano JK, Smith JD, Mathias AB, Christensen M, Smoak P, Phillips KT, Quinn CJ, Stewart LK. Performance and Health-Related Characteristics of Physically Active Males Using Marijuana. J Strength Cond Res. 2019 Jun;33(6):1658-1668. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002238. PubMed PMID: 29023325.
• Christensen MA, Smoak P, Lisano JK, Hayward R, Coronado C, Kage K, Shackelford D, Stewart LK. Cardiorespiratory fitness, visceral fat, and body fat, but not dietary inflammatory index, are related to C-reactive protein in cancer survivors. Nutr Health. 2019 Sep;25(3):195-202. https://doi.org/10.1177/0260106019841840. Epub 2019 Apr 16. PubMed PMID: 30991889.
• Lisano JK, Kisiolek JN, Smoak P, Phillips KT, Stewart LK. Chronic cannabis use and circulating biomarkers of neural health, stress, and inflammation in physically active individuals. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2020 Mar;45(3):258-263. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2019-0300. Epub 2019 Jul 18. PubMed PMID: 31319037.
• Ramani A, Townsend R, Rodriguez E, Haughian JM, Stewart LK. Daily cannabidiol and L-theanine beverage consumption does not alter anxiety, fatigue, cognitive function, or natural killer cell function. A randomized, controlled trial in healthy, young adults. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Integrative. (2024). 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbii.2024.100045
• Kisiolek JN, Flores VA, Ramani A, Butler B, Haughian JM, Stewart LK. Eight Weeks of Daily Cannabidiol Supplementation Improves Sleep Quality and Immune Cell Cytoxicity. Nutrients (2023). 15(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194173
• Flores VA, Kisiolek JN, Ramani A, Townsend R, Rodriguez E, Butler B, Stewart LK. Effects of Oral Cannabidiol on Health and Fitness in Healthy Adults: An 8 Week Randomized Trial. Nutrients. (2023). 12(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15122664.
• Lisano J, Kisiolek J, Flores V, Smoak P, Pullen N, Stewart LK. Chronic Cannabis Use is Associated with Altered Monocyte Phenotype, Immune Response, and Depression in Physically Active Individuals. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. (2023). 101(6). https://doi.org/10.1139/cjpp-2022-0451
• Lisano J, Flores V, Kisiolek J, Stewart LK. Regular Use of Cannabis in Female Athletes is Associated with a Reduction in Early Anaerobic Power. Journal of Strength and Conditioning. (2023). 37(3). 612-622. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000004297.