When many talk about cannabidiol (CBD), most focus on the health benefits that humans have enjoyed from this product. While we are the dominant species on the planet, we aren’t the only ones benefitting from this wonderful compound.
Dogs also benefit from CBD. In fact, most mammals will enjoy certain health benefits when they make use of cannabidiol. You might be wondering how that is possible. Well, the answer is wrapped up in just two words: “Endocannabinoid Systems” (ECS). Click here to read research material on the endocannabinoid system of animals.
To understand how CBD improves dog health, you will have to understand the workings of the ECS. Hence, in this article, we will tell you all about that and how cannabidiol is able to influence this system.
But before we do that, we need a clearer definition of what cannabidiol is to ensure we stay on the right track.
What is Cannabidiol?
CBD is a cannabinoid which is one of the several compounds found in the cannabis family plant. Prominent members of this family include Cannabis sativa (industrial hemp), Cannabis indica (Marijuana), and Cannabis Ruderalis.
Although cannabidiol can be found in the variants mentioned above; however, it is usually extracted from Cannabis sativa which is industrial hemp. The reason is that the percentage of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is always less than 0.3 percent. This is the requirement by law.
THC is the photoactive agent that causes the “high feeling” folks experience when they take marijuana. While THC is not particularly dangerous to humans, it can be to your doggie. Hence, when choosing a CBD oil product for your pooch, you must ensure that it doesn’t contain this compound.
The minor issues that could occur if your dog ingests THC are lethargy, vomiting. Serious risks could involve depression and seizures. As a result, we recommend you check out Pet Hemp Company’s cbd oil for dogs to learn how to choose a product that will not cause any of the above-mentioned problems.
How Cannabidiol Affects the Endocannabinoid System
The reason for the potency of THC can be attributed to the fact that it is the CB1 receptor agonist. This CB1 receptor is what causes the body to feel psychotropic effects. On the other hand, CBD functions as this receptor’s antagonist; it goes further to suppress any kind of psychoactivity.
As a result of the nature and effects of cannabidiol, it is being studied to see if it could be used as an antipsychotic medicine for the treatment of certain illnesses. Psychosis is one of the major illnesses that this compound might be used for if the study turns out as expected.
CBD has the ability to increase the number of endocannabinoids that are produced within the body. Hence, it is an inhibitor that causes reuptake as well as the breakdown of the endocannabinoids.
One of the primary endocannabinoids affected by cannabidiol is anandamide. This compound can be regarded as naturally-occurring tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This endocannabinoid is bound to the receptors CB1 & CB2. However, since anandamide isn’t as potent as THC, humans, as well as canines, feel the effects less.
Apart from anandamide, 2-AG (2-Arachidonoylglycerol) is another endocannabinoid that reduces inflammation.
How Dogs Benefits from the Effects of CBD Oil on the Endocannabinoid System
Your Fido can be said to be in top health when all the body systems are functioning optimally. Hence, being able to affect one of these systems (ECS) with the use of CBD products is indeed a welcome discovery.
So, what effects does a dog feel when it ingests CBD oil as a result of the effect on the ECS? Well, here are two major effects below…
Reduced Inflammation
Dogs are prone to inflammation which could lead to certain health issues such as colitis or arthritis. These conditions can be quite painful and will likely get worse as time progresses. This is usually because the immune system of dogs can be overactive.
As far as arthritis is concerned, this condition can expose the bones and joints as a result of the cartilage wasting away.
Thankfully, when CBD oil is given to your poodle, it can alleviate this condition since it possesses anti-inflammatory properties. The benefits provided by cannabidiol products are more effective when compared to NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Visit https://www.medicinenet.com/nonsteroidal_antiinflammatory_drugs/article.htm to learn more about NSAIDs.
Since the immune systems of canines possess CB2 receptors, the endocannabinoids which we mentioned earlier (2-AG and anandamide), can easily attach themselves to these receptors. Hence, they are able to regulate the inflammatory messages within the body. These endocannabinoids possess immunomodulatory properties; hence, they help to alleviate inflammation. These properties also ensure that the dog’s immune system is kept strong thereby provided protection against all forms of infection.
Cannabidiol’s inhibiting properties ensure the anti-inflammatory result is made possible.
Pain alleviation is one of the ways inflammatory conditions are treated. Thankfully the analgesic effects of cannabidiol act upon the CB1 and vanilloid receptors ensure that this is possible. The latter receptor doesn’t make up the ECS.
Anxiety Treatment
Dogs are known to be anxious creatures and there are several reasons why they experience this condition. Some of the reasons include separation from the owner, sudden loud noises especially fireworks, moving to another location, etc.
This condition leads to all kinds of psychological issues such as aggression, pacing, excessive barking, restlessness, etc.
Thankfully, the anxiolytic properties of CBD can counter the feeling of anxiety that your four-legged pal is experiencing. Cannabidiol when ingested by your dog will alter the brain’s chemical balance that is responsible for excessive excitation.
As the available amount of GABA (gamma-Aminobutyric acid) is increased through the effects of CBD in the body, a decrease in neuronal impulses will be observable. This, in turn, will cause an all-around mental calming effect.
Conclusion
The general wellbeing of our canine pals is of primary concern to every dog lover. Hence, many alternatives have been looked into over the years to ensure this. Thankfully cannabidiol is one of such alternatives that has proven to be very beneficial.
