How can CBD help Pets?
Cannabis has been used in veterinary medicine for nearly as long as humans have used it to treat common health issues. Thousands of years ago, the ancient Greeks used cannabis to treat horses for colic, inflammation, and even to heal battle wounds.
Cautions on the Use of Cannabis to Treat Pets
Dogs have a higher number of endocannabinoid receptors in their cerebellum and brainstem than humans do. These parts of the brain control coordination, heart rate, respiratory rate, and more.
From an evolutionary perspective, the endocannabinoid system is quite old. All higher forms of animals have an endocannabinoid system, and it is even found in many primitive forms of life such as slugs. Just as in humans, the complex web of neurotransmitters in the endocannabinoid system is involved in physiological processes such as appetite, pain sensation, mood, and memory (see Chapter 2 on the endocannabinoid system for more details on how it works). While the overall function of the endocannabinoid system is similar in all animals, there are differences between species. Dogs are particularly unique with regard to the endocannabinoid system because they have a greater concentration of endocannabinoid receptors in their brainstem and cerebellum than any other species does. These structures within the brain control heart rate, breathing, and muscle coordination. The dramatic response seen when dogs ingest excessive levels of cannabis containing THC is due to the high concentration of cannabinoid receptors as well as their relatively smaller size.
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Leinow, Leonard; Birnbaum, Juliana. CBD: A Patient's Guide to Medicinal Cannabis--Healing without the High (p. 164). North Atlantic Books. Kindle Edition.
Buying Guide
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What questions to ask when deciding on a CBD Oil
1. HOW IS THE OIL EXTRACTED?
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✓ Subcritical Co2 Extraction - most expensive, non-toxic, extremely efficient, ensures highly potent, pure extract.
X Liquid Solvents (butane, isopropyl alcohol, hexane, ethanol), most common method, simple and inexpensive, plant is soaked and heated, commonly used for vape products, destroys beneficial plant waxes, often bitter taste, can leave traces of impurities in the finished oil.
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X Olive Oil - simple and inexpensive, heated for extended amount of time, oil cannot be concentrated using this method so a large quantity is required for medicinal benefits, highly perishable, should be stored in cold, dark place.
2. IS IT ORGANICALLY CERTIFIED ?
✓ No CBD product can officially be certified organic. However, the hemp is grown in organic soil and tests free of all heavy metals, mold, chemicals and pesticides.
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3. IS THE ENTIRE PLANT USED?
✓ Whole Plant/Full Spectrum - taken from the flowers, stem, stalks and leaves, this means ALL the available cannabinoids within the plant are present, the way nature intended. When all the cannabinoids work together, you experience the beneficial 'entourage' effect, working synergistically to provide the most beneficial properties. This is why the blend has numerous cannabinoids, CBD, CBDV, CBN, and CBD and not just CBD. This is also why ‘The Blend’ contains over 60 medical terpenes!
X Isolate - compounds are extracted and/or separated from each other, it does have anti-inflammatory benefits, but does not have the medicinal quality and value of a full spectrum oil, often marketed as '99% pure CBD. A lot of isolate is making its way into North America via China and can be synthetic. Isolate is heavily processed as it is the third and final step in an extraction process.
4. WHAT CARRIER OIL IS USED?
✓ Hemp seed oil is the carrier oil, using and encompassing the entire plant. When using all aspects of the plant, this increases the synergy. Hemp seed oil is derived from the seed and has nutritional benefits.
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5. WHY ARE TERPENES IMPORTANT?
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✓ Terpenes are a crucial part of the plant, they are just as powerful at delivering properties as cannabinoids. Click here to read about the benefits of terpenes and the terpenes found in ‘The Blend’.
X No terpenes = Not a full spectrum plant.