Here Are 3 Surprising Health Benefits Of CBD For Dogs

Here Are 3 Surprising Health Benefits Of CBD For Dogs

From epilepsy to arthritis and anxiety, it seems there’s no symptom or condition that CBD can’t address.

And it’s not just humans that are benefiting from CBD.

As you probably know, more and more dog owners are also giving CBD to their furry friends, and with good reason:

CBD can be just as beneficial for dogs as it is for humans.

Read on to learn more.

You’re Dog Has An Endocannabinoid System Just Like You

That’s right:

Dogs, just like humans and other mammals, also have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) to help keep their body in balance.

The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, special enzymes, and cannabinoid receptors, and is a major regulatory system that helps mediate a lot of different physiological processes in your dog’s body.

For example, the ECS can help regulate inflammation, pain signaling, mood, memory, sleep, and much more.

A growing body of research suggests that the endocannabinoid system helps promote “homeostasis,” a state of equilibrium that helps the body function at its best.

Some of this research also suggests that the disruption to this balance could be the root cause of a wide variety of different health problems.

Researchers such as Dr. Ethan Russo, Director of Research and Development at the International Cannabis and Cannabinoids Institute, for example, suggest that Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency could be the cause of a wide variety of conditions.

Researchers suggest that this might be why cannabinoids are proving to be successful in treating so many different, seemingly unrelated conditions.

CBD Can Help Regulate Your Dog’s Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoid therapies work by using compounds like CBD to help regulate the endocannabinoid system.

THC, for example, can fit directly into cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body.

When it does, it can trigger an array of responses and produces that iconic high associated with cannabis.

CBD, on the other hand, works by activating over 60 different molecular pathways and acting on receptors for serotonin, GABA, gamma, vanilloids, and more.

When it does, it can have a wide variety of benefits, all without producing any kind of intoxicating effects.

Keep reading for more info on some of the benefits of CBD for dogs:

CBD Reduces Inflammation

CBD has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects.

That’s why, for example, it’s becoming increasingly popular for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more.

Research suggests that, like regular anti-inflammatory drugs, CBD works on COX enzymes.

Drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin, for example, work by blocking both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, both of which produce special compounds known as prostaglandins.

The prostaglandins produced by COX-1 help protect the lining of the stomach and intestines, and play a key role in activating platelets for blood clotting.

COX-2 prostaglandins, on the other hand, help regulate the body’s inflammatory response to injury and/or infection.

Standard NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen typically work by blocking both COX enzymes and the production of their respective prostaglandins.

This helps reduce inflammation but also causes side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, and more if used incorrectly.

CBD, however, is much more selective.

Studies show, for example, that both CBD and CBDA (the acidic precursor to CBD) both deliver anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting COX-2 enzymes.

Meanwhile, CBD and other cannabinoids don’t seem to interact with COX-1, suggesting they can offer anti-inflammatory effects without the side effects associated with regular NSAIDs.

CBD Can Reduce Anxiety

Another reason CBD has become so popular is due to its anti-anxiety effects.

And, as a dog owner, I’m sure you know that, just like us humans, dogs can suffer from anxiety, too.

Some pups might get anxious during a storm, while others might suffer while traveling in the car.

Separation anxiety is also a really common form of anxiety in dogs.

Luckily, CBD can deliver its anti-anxiety effects in a number of different ways.

First of all, CBD has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin, as you might now, is a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in regulating mood, stress response, pain signaling, and much more.

CBD can mimic the effects of serotonin by binding directly to serotonin receptors in various parts of the brain.

Studies show, for example, that CBD can bind to 5-HT1A receptors, which are involved in mediating a variety of bodily processes, including anxiety and stress response, appetite, sleep, pain signaling, and more.

CBD can also boost the levels of anandamide in the brain.

Anandamide is a natural endocannabinoid which, like serotonin, can have mood-boosting effects.

CBD increases anandamide levels by blocking a process known as “reuptake,” during which excess anandamide is reabsorbed into neurons in the brain after they fire.

By blocking this process of re-absorption, CBD can temporarily increase anandamide levels in the brain and in turn help reduce anxiety and stress.

CBD Can Stop Seizures

In 2013, the story of Charlotte Figi, a young girl from The US with a severe form of epilepsy made headlines all around the globe.

Charlotte suffered from up to 300 grand mal seizures a week, and her family had tried every medication under the sun in order to help her find relief.

Eventually, Charlotte’s doctors decided that there was nothing more they could do for her and that her family should start preparing for the worst.

But that all changed thanks to a CBD-rich cannabis tincture now known as Charlotte’s Web.

Charlotte’s story gave hope to countless families across the world, and CBD is today recognized as a powerful alternative treatment for various types of epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome.

And, just like it did for Charlotte, CBD can also help reduce the severity and recurrence of seizures in pets.

In fact, many pet owners are already using CBD to treat epilepsy in their dogs and other companion animals.

CBD: A Multipurpose Pet Health Supplement

CBD is a really complex molecule that, by interacting with your pet’s endocannabinoid system, can have multiple health benefits.

Hence, whether your dog suffers from a particular condition like those I mentioned above or you’re just looking for a comprehensive supplement to boost their health, I highly recommend giving CBD a try.

Best of all, CBD is completely safe, non-toxic, and won’t get your furry friends high.

For a more detailed look at CBD for dogs, make sure to check out Cannabis Supplements For Pets, where you can explore the effects of CBD for pets in a lot more detail.