Cannabidiol is among the biggest health trends in the world, and for good reason. Early research about cannabidiol offers convincing evidence that it provides mild to major benefits for people who experience various health conditions. For instance, people with seizure disorders may only have cannabidiol as a treatment option to make their seizures less frequent. Further, doctors see promising results from cannabidiol for people with neurogenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Still, something that tends to happen when there are health trends is that loving and devoted pet owners try to offer their pets the same advantages. There are all sorts of products with CBD for pets, including treats, pills, creams, and oil drops. Still, some customers consider whether it is only a marketing gimmick or an effective supplement for pets.
The Endogenous Cannabinoid System
Understanding whether or how cannabinoids impact pets, requires knowing how the substances affect humans through the ECS. The endocannabinoid system is part of most animals, including human beings, cats and dogs. The ECS plays a part in homeostasis, a state of internal balance. Consequently, it can affect most other bodily systems. It can also communicate with other bodily systems through endogenous cannabinoids, which can promote the production of hormones or neurotransmitters.
When a pet consumes cannabis, its components can primarily impact the ECS. For instance, THC can bind considerably to cannabinoid receptors, making ECS functionality go somewhat haywire. It does not appear that cannabidiol binds to the receptors, but it can impact the system to create more endocannabinoids. This can make the functionality better.
Evidence On CBD For Pets
Further research is warranted to understand endocannabinoid system activity in a better way, besides CBD’s effects. Nevertheless, researchers have some idea about what phytocannabinoids do in the body of a human being. However, the same does not apply to CBD for dogs and cats.
The ECS may offer similar functions to pets, but different animals can react to their environment differently. For example, human beings sweat to keep internal temperatures stable, but breeds do not sweat. The responses of different biological systems in the body to stimuli vary from one species to another. So, will cannabidiol help your pet?
There has not been any formal study on the cat or canine endocannabinoid system or how each animal responds to phytocannabinoids. Therefore, vets and researchers cannot determine what would happen if people offer their furry pets cannabidiol. Cannabidiol may have an effect on your pet that is similar to its impact on a human being, especially on the said system to create beneficial endogenous cannabinoids. That said, it is also likely that cannabidiol has a damaging effect or no effect on a pet.
