CBD, one of the main derivatives of the cannabis plant, is believed to have a lot of medicinal benefits for humans. These benefits range from pain to anxiety relief. Epidiolex, a CBD drug, is FDA-approved for the treatment of seizures. With human use of CBD becoming more popular, pet owners and veterinarians have begun to wonder if CBD products would work for pets as they do for humans. Read on to discover current research into the efficacy of CBD for the treatment of pets.
What is CBD?
CBD is one of the main derivatives of marijuana plants, the other being THC. THC is responsible for the high you feel when you smoke a joint or consume an edible. CBD does not, however, cause a high feeling but instead produces a calming effect on the user.
Various strains of marijuana plants have differing amounts of CBD and THC, with some growers preferring to raise plants with high CBD concentrations. In contrast, others prefer a high concentration of THC. Some growers, however, raise cannabis plants that have equal concentrations of CBD and THC. To grow cannabis plants with a specific concentration of CBD or THC, you can buy CBD seeds online from reputable seed banks that indicate the amount of cannabinoids present in the plants you want to grow.
CBD use for animals
CBD has only recently seen widespread use, and as such, there is not a lot of research data available to support its use in pets. The use of CBD in pets is currently based on the owner’s or veterinarian’s discretion and recommendation. With the use of CBD on the rise, research into its effects on both humans and animals also increases.
CBD products for pets come in the same form as those for humans. They come in the form of consumables, treats made with CBD, oils that can be used in their food, and creams and balms applied directly to the skin.
A 2016 study on the effectiveness of the various methods of administering CBD in pets revealed that ingested oils were the most potent and lasted in the bloodstream the longest. Of the other delivery methods tested in the survey, CBD capsules also yielded impressive results, while creams and balms yielded inconsistent results. The results of this study were similar to similar studies carried out on humans.
What are the benefits of CBD for pets?
CBD is of benefit to animals with varying health conditions. A 2020 study confirmed that CBD treatment helped dogs with osteoarthritis to improve their comfort and mobility. CBD works on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which seeks to balance all the body processes. This is most likely the reason for the different benefits of CBD.
-
Pain
CBD can help manage and ease inflammation and pain in pets. Different studies have been carried out to prove that CBD helps relieve pain in pets. Speculations are that CBD affects the body’s pain-carrying nerves and thereby helps to limit the pain. While the exact mechanism behind CBD’s pain relief is still unknown, researchers continue to carry out studies to uncover this.
-
Anxiety
Anxiety problems are not limited to humans, as pets can also experience anxiety. This anxiety can lead to issues such as inappropriate urination habits. CBD in the system produces a calming effect and helps to ease nervousness. This effect is linked to CBD’s stimulation of serotonin secretion, a hormone that invokes a happy and relaxed feeling.
-
Seizures
While there isn’t any FDA-approved CBD drug for animals, the only approved one for humans is to treat some rare forms of seizures. In pets, CBD is effective in treating epilepsy. This is probably due to its ability to regulate the firing of electrolytes in the brain. This alone is a testament to the efficacy of CBD for the treatment of seizures.
Is CBD safe for pets?
CBD on its own should not cause any problems for your pet. In fact, according to a World Health Organization report in 2017, CBD is safe and well-tolerated by animals. An area of concern with the use of CBD in pets is discovering increased levels of alkaline phosphatase enzyme in the liver of animals treated with the substance. While this had no negative impact on the livers of the tested animals, it is worth noting.
As the liver metabolizes CBD, care should be taken when administering CBD drugs to animals with liver problems. Likewise, animals that take other medicines metabolized by the liver should not be treated with CBD drugs to avoid putting excessive strain on the liver.
Perhaps the most significant concern pet owners and veterinarians should have concerning the use of CBD drugs is quality control. As there is no FDA-approved CBD drug for pets, pet owners have to be wary of the drugs they purchase for their pets. One way to be safe is to buy CBD drugs from reputable companies. You can also choose only to buy drugs that have a certificate of analysis to ensure that they don’t contain any harmful substance to your pets. Another way to ensure the safety of your pets is to buy CBD seeds online and produce your remedy yourself.
Can CBD products induce highness in pets?
Although CBD is a product of marijuana, it does not induce any highness. THC, another marijuana product, is responsible for the high feeling experienced when cannabis products are consumed.
On the other hand, CBD products have to be inspected to ensure that they do not contain THC. Drugs containing ‘full spectrum’ on their labels can have as much as 0.3% of THC in their composition. While this should not be enough to make your pet high, some pets are extra sensitive to THC. It is best to look out for products with no THC in their composition to ensure that your pet doesn’t get high.
Conclusion
More studies are needed to establish all of the medicinal benefits of CBD for pets and humans. CBD products have, however, been proven to help pets with different conditions. You should discuss this with your veterinarian before putting your pet on any CBD medication. To grow your own CBD cannabis plants, reach out to Highway420 to buy high-quality CBD seeds online.
