How CBD works and is used in animals

Dr. José Zilberchstein Juffé1, Dr. Juana Dolores Carrillo Sanchez1 and Dr. Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Valverde1
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Murcia. Espinardo University Campus. 30100, Espinardo, Murcia.
E-mail: [email protected]

History of cannabis

Cannabis is a plant that has been cultivated and used for many years and for different purposes, which have varied over time: manufacture of fabrics, ropes or oil, psychoactive during religious ceremonies…

Notably, its use as a medicinal plant is documented in civilizations as ancient as the Egyptians, where it was used to treat eye ailments or inflammations, or the Arabs, in which its anthelmintic capacity was highlighted. For its part, in Chinese culture, there are references to cannabis as a neuroprotector and analgesic.

If we focus on Europe, cannabis was mainly used industrially to obtain fibres. It was not until the nineteenth century that it was introduced into Western Medicine, becoming, by the end of the century, the third most widely used medicine worldwide.

The increase in the recreational use of cannabis promoted its illegalization, so research into its therapeutic applications decreased significantly. Clinical interest resurfaced in the 1960s, when active molecules and their mechanism of action in the body were described.

Since then, the number of investigations has not stopped growing, revealing an excellent therapeutic profile of cannabis, with great results in complex, chronic and even difficult-to-cure pathologies.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. The Cannabis Sativa L plant is an herbaceous plant that comes from the Cannabaceae family, it is characterized by having cannabinoid compounds (active ingredients), among which the most common are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

Difference Between THC and CBD

The Cannabis Sativa L plant has two descendants, marijuana, known worldwide for its psychoactive effects and highly composed of THC and on the other hand, Hemp, more focused on the textile industry and with a high CBD content.

The big difference between these two is that THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) has psychoactive effects while CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound that has no psychoactive or psychotropic effects. However, it has many benefits for both humans and animals.

How CBD works

We start from the basis that all mammals, including dogs and cats, have their own endocannabinoid system (ECS), it is an intercellular communication system. It is the physiological system that acts on the neurotransmitter, immune and endocrine system, it is responsible for maintaining balance in the body.

In conclusion, and broadly speaking, since it is a very complex system, cannabinoids, among other phytocannabinoids, act by regulating organic functions, due to the activation of double communication between neuronal emitters and receptors.

Phytocannabinoids are all compounds that come from plants; cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids… We make a great reference and emphasis here on these compounds; since they are the compounds that act on the endocannabinoid system, and as such it is capable of activating the ECS receptors (CB1 and CB2 and others) helping to keep our body balanced so that it functions optimally.

When CBD and THC work together, they possess very significant therapeutic value. CBD counteracts psychotic effects while THC enhances analgesic and anti-cancer properties. The famous entourage effect of which we will talk a little later.

Canadian scientists have identified CBD as an “allosteric negative modulator” of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor, which is concentrated in the brain and central nervous system.

The entourage effect

We are going to deal with this topic in broad strokes because it is something that is still being studied, but so far we can say that cannabinoids as a whole act more effectively than cannabinoids alone.

On the basis that several types of CBD can be obtained; full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolated. The latter is the one that many of the oils currently use, which unlike the broad spectrum or the full spectrum, you have to give it much higher doses to achieve effects.

That is why several therapeutic references focus on full-spectrum oils, to promote the entourage effect. It is being found in therapeutic practice that the difference between the use of isolated CBD (isolated), requires people to apply a dose 3 times higher than when a Full Spectrum is administered.

What factors to take into account when choosing a CBD oil for our animal

We have to keep in mind that CBD pets have several factors to take into account:

• Have less THC than what is legally established in Spain <0.2% THC
• What the amount of CBD they are selling us really carries
• The extraction of CBD should be by CO2 (the most natural option)
• The product must have a carrier oil such as coconut, olive, fish, hemp… Carrier oils are a vehicle that allows CBD to cross the blood-brain barrier
• Laboratory-certified analyses

Is it dangerous for our pets to consume CBD?

No, since it is not a psychoactive component, however, we always recommend that a specialist recommends and guides the supply of the product to the patient such as dogs, horses or cats.

The dosages will vary in each CBD oil as each manufacturer indicates it in the way they believe corresponds.

Supplying CBD in pets

Most of the therapeutic qualities of CBD (being a safe and non-addictive substance according to the World Health Organization) are achieved with its consumption, that is, digested, usually under the tongue (sublingual). However, it can also be applied topically, on the skin.

We have several types of CBD for dogs, CBD for cats , and CBD for horses.

The general recommendation is always to start with small doses unless the dog, cat or horse is used to it and it is not their first time. Little by little we will see their reaction and if everything goes well, we will increase the amount ingested. Around a few weeks (between a week and 1 month) we could start to notice changes.

We must also take into account what we are going to use CBD for in our pets, it depends on the degree of discomfort in which they are, they will be administered a percentage of concentration or another.

Each case is unique and it is best to study it individually and dose it according to needs.

Benefits of CBD in animals

Cannabis extract has been shown in research work and its extensive bibliography to have a powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anxiolytic, antioxidant and neuroprotective effect.

Due to its anxiolytic, neuroprotective and antioxidant effect, it can be administered in cases of:

• Anxiety, stress
• Separation from the mother
• Sleep disturbances
• Conduct disorders
• Neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., cognitive dysfunction)
• Elderly dogs, cats and horses

Due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect, it can be used as an adjuvant in:

• Chronic pain
• Joint pathologies: arthritis, osteoarthritis…
• Autoimmune diseases
• Oncological pathologies
• Inflammatory diseases
• Stroke, epilepsy

 

 

 

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