CBD for Anxiety in Dogs & Cats
A Brief History of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of hundreds of molecules that come from the cannabis plant. Substances from this plant have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes across the globe, and the CBD molecule was first isolated in the 1940s.
In 1996, with the legalization of medical cannabis use in California for people, the modern medical community began to accept and study these compounds for medical use. Since that time, there’s been a rapidly growing number of studies exploring the use of CBD for pain management, anxiety, seizures, cancer therapy, and more.
How Does CBD work?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of chemicals and receptors in the body that helps regulate many functions and maintain balance, also called homeostasis. Think of it as a team of messengers and receivers working together to help everything run smoothly.
The messengers, called endocannabinoids, are naturally produced by the body. They travel and bind to specific receptors, known as cannabinoid receptors, which are found throughout the body, including the brain, immune system, organs, and other tissues. Researchers have also discovered that endocannabinoids can bind to several other receptors as well.
When endocannabinoids bind to these receptors, they send signals that can affect things like pain sensation, mood, appetite, memory, sleep, immune function, and more. In simple terms, the ECS helps regulate these processes and support homeostasis.
In addition to the messengers and receptors, there are also enzymes that break down endocannabinoids once their job is done. This helps keep the system balanced so it doesn’t go into overdrive.
How CBD may interact with the ECS
The ECS can also interact with phytocannabinoids (also known as cannabinoids) found in the cannabis plant, such as THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). These cannabinoids can mimic the effects of natural messengers to an extent, or interact with receptors in different ways, leading to various effects on the body and mind.
The ECS itself can sometimes dysfunction, meaning the normal balance and function of the ECS is disrupted or not working properly. Think of it like a miscommunication or a glitch in the system. This is where supporting the ECS with phytocannabinoids, things like CBD, comes into play. By offering chemicals that are similar to the chemicals the body produces, we can supplement the ECS to hopefully create balance once again.
Sedation & when to contact your veterinarian
Some pets become sedated with CBD, and this can be more noticeable when CBD is given with other medications. Pets who are too sedated may seem dizzy or have trouble walking. If the sedation is severe, skip the next dose and contact your veterinarian to discuss decreasing the dose.
