Countless humans today benefit from CBD, a substance that comes from the cannabis plant. This substance stands out from many others today, as scientists first studied it in humans before moving on to study it with animals. However, the results of studies in both species found CBD can be of benefit to all. CBD, a cannabinoid, derives from cannabis, meaning it is natural and doesn’t come with harmful side effects, a concern of many pet owners when they must give their companion prescription medications. Unlike THC, CBD comes with no psychoactive effects.
Hemp plants contain CBD, and many pet owners choose this option for several reasons. First, hemp, a Cannabis Sativa strain, supplies the highest level of CBD and therefore the most benefits. In addition, hemp contains very little THC. In fact, hemp contains less than 0.3 percent THC but contains approximately 20 percent CBD. Marijuana comes with side effects and is an addictive substance. Pet owners feel more comfortable providing their pet with CBD as a result and wish to know more about pet cbd suggested use.
How Does CBD Work?
Animals, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system, and the CBD acts on receptors within this system. Humans have been using the cannabis plant to treat ailments for centuries now and thought to try it on their pets to see if they got similar benefits. This system controls or regulates several functions within the immune system, and humans and animals alike produce natural cannabinoids that work on these receptors. CBD products work similarly, providing relief from a range of medical conditions. What conditions improve with the use of CBD?
What Conditions May Be Treated with CBD?
Pets suffer from a range of health conditions and pathologies, many of which medical professionals see in humans. For example, pets might struggle with insomnia, apathy, depression, or stress. Their owners may use cannabidiol with traditional therapies or replace these therapies completely. As it acts on the endocannabinoid system receptors, owners find it helps reduce the pet’s pain, stress, depression, and more. Using CBD boosts the immune system and encourages its healthy functioning. In addition, it encourages the optimal functioning of the metabolism to improve the pet’s overall health.
CBD relaxes the stomach to improve digestion. It prevents nausea and vomiting, relaxes muscles, and provides pain relief. These are only a few of the many benefits of CBD, and there are countless others. The following serve as only a few examples.
Pain Relief
Pets experience pain for a variety of reasons, and this pain adversely affects their health. Owners often notice their pet moves slower or they no longer eat as much. CBD relieves this pain, and researchers believe this is because the CBD interacts with CB1 and CB2 receptors responsible for pain relief. It also relieves inflammation, which is what brings about the pain the pet is experiencing.
Anxiety
Humans suffer from anxiety, and pets may struggle with this condition as well. Besides anxiety, pets often become stressed or develop a phobia. If a pet becomes aggressive, persistently barks, have tremors, or chew household objects, anxiety might be the underlying cause. CBD helps to control this anxiety and provides both the pet and the owner with much-needed relief.
Pet owners turn to their vet for help in treating anxiety and other mental problems in animals. Vets frequently prescribe medications that target 5-HT1A serotonin receptors in the body, and these medications work to boost serotonin levels in the brain for a short period. They feel this boost improves the pet’s mood while reducing the animal’s fear and anxiety. Researchers believe CBD works similarly. It appears to boost the serotonin levels in the brain to provide the desired relief.
Cancer
Sadly, cancer strikes animals much as it does humans. If left untreated, cancer leads to the death of the animal. Vets often recommend chemotherapy for pets with cancer, as this treatment helps control the growth of cancer cells in the body. Nevertheless, chemotherapy drugs come with many side effects that negatively affect the pet’s quality of life. This includes loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and more. Researchers know CBD helps to minimize many or all of these side effects. However, they continue to study whether CBD does more than this. Researchers are conducting studies to see if CBD can control cancer cell growth.
Seizures
The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved CBD for the treatment of certain seizure conditions in adults and children. Pets suffering from seizures also benefit from the inclusion of CBD in their treatment plan. Pets have seizures for a variety of reasons, including trauma to the head, liver and kidney problems, a malignancy in the brain, or inherited disease. With the use of CBD, pet owners find they can reduce the number of seizures the pet has or eliminate them completely. Additionally, it reduces the neurotoxicity associated with seizures and minimizes tics, spasms, and tremors in animals. Scientists feel animals have seizures when neurons in their brain begin firing rapidly and uncontrollably, and CBD helps by restoring order to neurons in the brain.
Nausea
Pets often experience nausea and vomiting, much as humans do. When a pet cannot keep food or water down, many health problems arise. Pet owners must watch for weight loss, dehydration, fatigue, and more. Medications commonly prescribed by vets to control nausea and vomiting come with side effects, such as diarrhea, hypertension, and excessive drooling. CBD addresses nausea and vomiting with no side effects.
Pet owners should consider giving their pet CBD for medical conditions they are experiencing. However, be sure to speak to the vet before doing so. This ensures the CBD won’t interfere with any prescription medications or lead to a drug interaction. Furthermore, ask about the correct dosage for the animal. The vet becomes of great help at this time in ensuring the pet benefits from the use of CBD and obtains the desired level of relief. Pet owners find they love CBD, as it allows them to care for their pets using the best methods possible today. They want their pet to be happy and healthy, and CBD can be of great help in ensuring this is the case.