CBD For Dogs

CBD Oil For Dogs – What Does It Do?

The term cannabinoid refers to every chemical compound belonging to that family of compounds. Regardless of origin and structure, all cannabinoids link to the cannabinoid receptors of the brain and body. Depending on which cannabinoid it is, they will have varying effects on your body once you take them. As far as cannabinoids go, there are endogenous cannabinoids, plant-origin cannabinoids, and synthetic cannabinoids.

Scientists discovered that Cannabis yields around 100 cannabinoids and around 300 non-cannabinoid chemicals.  The two primary cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The most famous of the two is THC, largely because it’s known to have psychoactive effects. CBD, meanwhile, it’s non-psychoactive and typically sold as an oil. Not only humans can derive from CBD and its benefits, but CBD oil for dogs may also offer our canine friends some relief.

What is CBD

Over recent years, CBD increasingly gained popularity, largely because of its health properties. So, what is it exactly? Cannabidiol or CBD is a natural chemical found in the hemp variety of cannabis. As compared to its popular cousin THC, CBD is lesser-known but by no means less useful. This substance goes into products such as edibles and oils, and it’s able to exude feelings of calm and relaxation. CBD is anti-psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t give off the high feeling caused by THC. Not only that, but CBD appears able to mitigate some of the negative effects that most individuals experience after consuming THC.

What Are the Benefits Of CBD?

Even though research into CBD is still ongoing, here are some of the suggested benefits of CBD from anecdotal evidence:

  • Could reduce anxiety and depression and anxiety.
  • Lessens chemotherapy-related symptoms.
  • May reduce acne.
  • Can alleviate pain.
  • Has neuroprotective properties.
  • Improves heart health.

Other potential health benefits include minimizing psychotic symptoms, treat substance abuse, and has anti-tumor properties.

What Is CBD Oil

CBD oil is the result of extracting CBD from the hemp plant. From there, they dilute it with a carrier oil such as hemp seed or coconut oil. CBD oil gained massive traction in the health and wellness sector. Some research studies showing it may help in alleviating symptoms of ailments such as anxiety and pain.

How Do You Consume CBD Oil?

There are a variety of ways you can get CBD oil in your body. The method you choose won’t just alter the manner you consume the cannabinoid, but it does affect how it passes through the body. Don’t limit yourself to one way of ingesting the cannabinoid. The range of intake options will allow you to change your cannabidiol experience. You should consider combining the various methods of administration. In this case, we’ll be looking at sublingual ingestion.

Sublingual (Under the Tongue) CBD

This method of administration entails placing CBD oil under your tongue for a couple of minutes until it gets absorbed in the oral mucosa. This method assures rapid onset and won’t need any preparation. What’s more, it’s discreet, easy, and fast.

This method provides a fast and effective way of consuming CBD oil. When placed under the tongue, the CBD permeates the thin tissue layer and instantly diffuses into the capillaries, cells, bloodstream. That results in a high bioavailability of 40-50%. Given how sublingual ingestion circumvents the digestive system, it won’t be long until you begin feeling the effects.

Can You Just Drink the CBD oil?

If you just drink CBD oil, it means it will get digested in your gut. When this happens, your liver enzymes and intestines will break down most of the CBD. Thus, meaning that most of it won’t get absorbed in your body. So, it’s best if you use it sublingually if you want your body to absorb it properly.

How Does CBD Work

The endocannabinoid system or the ECS is an intricate cell-networking system responsible for maintaining homeostasis in various bodily functions. The ECS extends to the brain, immune cells, cardiovascular system, across the spinal cord, and even close to your skin.

The ECS consists of three main constituents: endocannabinoids, receptors endocannabinoids link to, and enzymes that break them down. The two known cannabinoid receptors in the body are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors regulate brain function in the central nervous system. CB2 receptors locate in the immune cells.

How Does CBD Work with Your ECS?

The ECS allows CBD to assist in treating a wide selection of symptoms. CBD attaches to both the CB2 and CB1 receptors. It is also able to interact with the body through various biological pathways, and it seems to generate therapeutic effects by triggering several pathways all at once.

CBD has a rather complex relationship with THC, tied to the manner they interact with the ECS. Molecularly, CBD does the contrary of THC. THC is an agonist in CB1 receptors, whereas CBD is an inverse agonist. When using THC and CBD together, CBD curbs the negative effects of THC by triggering an inverse response from CB1 receptors.

Do Only Humans Have an Endocannabinoid System?

Human beings like to see themselves as unique in many ways, but that does not apply when it comes to the ECS. All invertebrates and vertebrates studied so far do seem to possess an ECS; dogs do, for example. So, if you have a dog experiencing anxiety, allergies, or any other health complications, you should consider getting CBD oil for dogs. Why?

CBD Oil for Dogs – Does It Work?

CBD oil for dogs works because they do have endocannabinoid systems like human dog owners do. The bad news is that this area remains little studied, plus the CBD industry for pets is, for the most part, unregulated.

However, scientists believe that cannabinoids network with the receptors found in the peripheral and central nervous systems. This assists in regulating pain, appetite, sleep, the immune system, and so on. CBD elicits the neuro-messengers in this system and triggers the brain, digestive, nervous, and immune systems. It’s able to function like this since the endocannabinoids found in CBD are identical to the ones in your dog.

Benefits of Using CBD Oil for Dogs

Here’s how CBD oil may help your dog:

Arthritis

Given how CBD uses the same metabolic pathways as anti-inflammatory drugs, it’s only logical that it would assist with some inflammatory conditions. Arthritis is among the most common inflammatory conditions that dogs suffer. Out of four dogs, one will likely suffer from arthritis in the course of their life. Also, around 60% of dogs show signs of the disease to some extent. Research indicates that CBD can offer significant pain relief to dogs suffering from arthritis.

Pain

The anti-inflammatory properties exhibited in dogs with arthritis might also apply to other dogs suffering from any other kind of pain. Back pain resulting from intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) would be one common example.

Early studies in humans indicate that combining both THC and CBD offers more pain relief than taking one of them alone. No similar study on dogs occurred so far, yet, they do not fare well with THC for the most part, so let’s leave that one for humans.

Seizures

Seizure treatment is one of the most-researched applications of CBD. However, the focus right now is more on helping people than pets. There are various underlying conditions that can cause seizures in dogs. When it specifically comes to idiopathic epilepsy, there is some evidence that CBD can assist in reducing the frequency of seizures in dogs.

Cancer

Just like seizures, the phrase ‘cancer’ is just a broad term referring to a wide range of specific diseases. For humans, CBD appears as a candidate for possible treatment of cancer patients, both for treating tumors and treating secondary symptoms of chemotherapy. There is very little research on the use of CBD on dogs suffering from cancer.

But the anti-nausea properties of CBD exhibited in individuals that undergo chemotherapy showed up in both ferrets and rats. This suggests that dogs getting chemotherapy may benefit from receiving CBD treatment.

Anxiety

Research as to how CBD assists in treating anxiety in dogs is not definite yet. There are just so many things that might cause anxiety in dogs that no agreed-upon trigger underwent studying yet. There are various factors that may see your dog get anxious. You should watch out for telltale signs to know when is the best time to administer CBD. Said signs include excessive biting or licking, pacing or panting, tucking their tail, trembling/shaking, or hiding. CBD can assist in reducing anxiety in dogs and give you peace of mind when you’re traveling or are not around.

When to Use CBD Oil for Dogs

There are various scenarios that may see your furry friend get anxious, fearful, or aggressive. Some of these situations may include car rides, a flurry of strangers, fireworks, thunderstorms, bath time, separation, veterinary visits, nail trims, or even when they see seemingly random objects.

When you’re facing these situations and don’t know what to do, that is when you should think about getting CBD oil for your dog. It seems to significantly help in reducing anxiety and stress, which is exactly what you want in those moments. So, don’t ignore signs that your dog is anxious or afraid.

If you are thinking about getting CBD oil for your dog, make sure to check the dosage with your veterinarian before administering it. Know the source of the hemp, and make sure to read through all the ingredients used.

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