Medical

Why CBD Is So Popular With Pet Owners Who Have Anxious Dogs

February 4, 2019 by Staff Writer

If someone asked you what medical condition do you think affects dogs more so than any other, would you guess it’s anxiety? This may surprise you, and you may immediately think, “My dog gets nervous, but he doesn’t have an anxiety condition!” Ask yourself these next questions, though:

Does your dog bark when they shouldn’t?
Do they freak out when you come home?
Do they hide or seek comfort during storms?
Have you noticed there are occasions where they pace, pant, or pin their ears back more than usual?

These are signs that your dog could have an anxiety condition.

Dogs give us a run for our money when it comes to who is more anxious. And in many cases, we are the cause of their anxiety. Dogs aren’t naturally afraid of thunder.

In truth, many dogs are susceptible to anxiety, and it’s easy to mess up and exacerbate it. Thankfully, we live in the perfect time to help our dogs with this issue. Today, cannabis products like CBD aren’t only helping us with our anxiety, but also our dogs.

For many, CBD has been the answer to helping their dogs tolerate thunderstorms, long workdays, and the strange neighborhood dog. Even better, when combined with training, CBD offers a powerful one-two punch solution for eliminating even the worst cases of anxiety.

Here’s how you can use CBD for your dog’s anxiety, as well as a few general tips that help prevent it.

Why Is CBD So Popular for Dog Anxiety?

CBD is popular amongst dog owners because CBD kicks anxiety’s butt when dogs get anxious. But why do our dogs get so anxious in the first place?

Why Is My Dog So Nervous?

Usually, the cause for your dog’s anxiety can be traced back to certain events during their puppyhood. Maybe a massive dog came up to them *bang anxiety*, or you clipped a nail too far back *leviathan level of anxiety*.

Dogs are pack animals, and when something scares them as a puppy, they come running to us. Our first response to this is to lighten our voices and comfort our dog, but this backfires because it reinforces their awareness/reaction to the situation. Essentially, you’ve just told your dog that there is a reason to be scared. Your best option to situations like this is to act like nothing happened – if needed, you can even throw a ball or toy to take their attention off of it.

These are just a few ways dogs can develop anxiety, though, yet with it being such a dilemma there isn’t a lot to help them.

With anxiety being so prevalent amongst dogs, many owners don’t feel a prescription drug is warranted to treat it. This doesn’t mean they don’t want to help their dog’s anxiety – they just don’t have an easily available option that is safe and effective. Until CBD…

CBD for Situational Anxiety

What’s great about CBD for dog anxiety is that it can help regardless of the source. For fleeting issues, like the 4th of July, CBD helps by offering around 6 hours of anxiety relief with just a single dose. Many owners find that this is all that’s needed.

Maybe your dog gets antsy on long car rides, but little do they know the beach is just a few hours away. CBD can help keep them – and you – stay calm on the road trip.

Using CBD for anxiety issues that don’t really warrant behavioral training is a great, quick, and easy fix for many pet owners.

CBD for Behavioral Anxiety

When you come home to a room that looks like a twister slammed a cow through your house – *90’s movie joke for ya* – you’re not dealing with mild or situational anxiety.

Behavioral anxiety includes aggression, severe separation anxiety, etc. and will require behavioral training to cure. But we all know training will not set in overnight, and your house can’t take one more hit, and work is tomorrow.

Again, the answer many owners are finding to this sticky situation is giving their dog CBD to help out in the meantime. In fact, one could argue that CBD is even more important for this form of anxiety as it can help dilute the emotional stress their anxiety is taking on them.

Final Thoughts

If you haven’t given your dog CBD before and are worried about the stigma or danger of giving your dog cannabis, don’t worry. Only high amounts of THC are toxic to dogs, and legal CBD has nowhere near enough – studies show small traces may even help.

As well, the dog community is perfectly fine with using CBD. Vets are still a bit wary of it – possibly due to legal reasons – but veterinarian clinical studies are starting to take place on dogs and are showing great results. Plus, the 2018 Farm Bill will catapult CBD’s acceptance among all forward.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.

Why CBD Is So Popular With Pet Owners Who Have Anxious Dogs
Source: Marijuana Times

6 Important Ways CBD Is Helping Our Pets

January 31, 2019 by Staff Writer

At one time, when you heard people talk about pets and cannabis, it would usually go something like “OH NO, my dog just ate my pot – what do I do?” But in 2019, you’re more likely to hear people talk about giving their pets cannabis to help with their medical issues.

The cannabis of which I speak of is CBD oil derived from the hemp plant. CBD is everywhere now – you can find it in gum, ice cream, soda, and more. And now, we’re giving it to our feline friends, our pups, and even to horses to help with a long list of medical conditions. Here are just six ways CBD is helping our pets stay happy and healthy.

CBD Can Reduce Inflammation

Unlike THC that attaches to CB1 receptors triggering psychoactive effects, CBD merely activates CB2 receptors by giving anandamide – which is a self-produced cannabinoid – a boost. Unlike CB1 receptors that reside heavily in the brain, CB2 receptors are found more in the immune system, where their activation promotes proper regulation.

Inflammation is a natural – and often times, beneficial – process, but when poorly regulated it turns on the body and causes issues out the wazoo.

CBD Provides Anxiety Relief

CBD oil for cat anxiety is one of God’s gifts to man. It can help calm them down when they are in their crate for more pleasant vacation trips – and even for less bloody scratches down your arm after vet visits.

And don’t even get us started on how you can use CBD oil for dogs’ anxiety. You may never have to come home to a destroyed house again. Research is showing that it really doesn’t matter where the source of anxiety is coming from, CBD can help.

In fact, CBD is a natural anti-anxiety mediator of THC. So if you find your current marijuana strain is making you nervous or paranoid, try taking some CBD.

CBD Has An Important Role in Cancer and Cancer Treatment

There are a number of studies out there highlighting the potential for cannabinoids like CBD and THC to become common drugs we use to fight pet cancer. However, there isn’t any reason to wait for that as many are already using CBD to help fight cancer.

One of the most difficult aspects of cancer treatment isn’t the disease, but the side effects from the drugs used for treatment: nausea, inflammation, pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc.

Not only does this make the whole process more strenuous, but it can also make the body’s fight against cancer more difficult, which can ultimately slow down recovery. CBD has somewhat similar benefits to medical marijuana, which has long been an incredible help in reducing the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. All without causing a high, that is!

CBD has helped pets going through cancer treatment regain their appetite, sleep better, experience less discomfort, fight back against inflammation, and possibly even protect/repair cells.

CBD Benefits Working Animals

Many of our pets dedicate themselves to giving humans a helping hand and work hard for our benefit. When we talk about CBD for pets, we usually think of our cats or dogs, but CBD oil for horses has taken off recently.

CBD can help our working horses with everything from recovery to performance to keeping them calmer during training and work, which can prevent injuries to both you and the horse. The last thing you want on your hands is an anxious 1000+ pound horse… because it really never goes well.

CBD Targets All Forms of Epilepsy

There are a number of dog breeds susceptible to epilepsy, and if you know anything about medical marijuana, you’re likely aware of the role it has played in reducing seizures.

Cannabis – including CBD – is indebted to how it’s helped people with drug-resistant forms of epilepsy. In fact, a few states first legalized CBD for the treatment of epilepsy and nothing else. That alone tells you how much it can help.

The thing that separates cannabis from conventional antiepileptic drugs on the market is its ability to help reduce seizures in all forms of epilepsy. When it comes to using CBD for epilepsy, this is one place it may be just as potent as marijuana. This is because CBD – not THC – has the most antiepileptic properties of any cannabinoid.

However, while studies show that CBD is the most potent antiepileptic cannabinoid, it’s about half as effective if it’s isolated and not full spectrum. Scientists believe the legal traces of THC allowed in full spectrum CBD (0.3%) helps – even though there isn’t enough to produce a high.

CBD Promotes Homeostasis for Preventive Health

Whenever you hear about how CBD works in the body, you’ll see the word “homeostasis” somewhere in its vicinity. So what is homeostasis and what does CBD have to do with it?

Homeostasis is any process that cells use to regulate, repair, and optimize both their performance and defense against their host’s environment. Everything from extreme temperatures to germs to stress can wear down our cells.

When this happens, the system they’re involved in – like the immune or nervous system – perform poorly, resulting in diseases. The cannabinoids in cannabis mimic select neurotransmitters (endocannabinoids) that trigger receptors that send signals to help cells undergo homeostasis.

Lots of science, but what this tells us is giving CBD to our pets may help them stay healthier, stronger, and live longer.

Final Thoughts

Remember, this is just six ways CBD can help improve the health of our pets. It’s fantastic to see the stigma surrounding cannabis go away and have the plant become more involved not only in our lives, but in our pets’ lives, too.

It’s important to only give your pet CBD oil with low (less than 1%) to no THC, as dogs and some other animals are sensitive to THC and they can overdose on large amounts.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.

6 Important Ways CBD Is Helping Our Pets
Source: Marijuana Times

Is Medical Marijuana Denial the New Flat Earth?

January 16, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

No matter how many people say something is true, there will always be a segment of the population that will deny the truth of it no matter what evidence they are shown. To be clear, there is something to be said for a healthy amount of skepticism; humanity wouldn’t have lasted long without it.

But the stalwart denial of something in the face of overwhelming evidence goes beyond mere skepticism. In most cases, it doesn’t matter on a practical level. For instance, if people gather in groups online and in real life to discuss why they believe the Earth is flat, it really doesn’t affect anyone else. Prohibitions haven’t been enacted by governments over adult human beings based on Flat Earth. People haven’t gone to jail for thinking the Earth is round and acting accordingly.

Marijuana, however, was prohibited by those who claimed it had no worth and was dangerous for people to use. For their own good, citizens had to be barred from possessing, growing, selling or consuming cannabis.

While much of this has been wiped away, there still remain to this day people who claim that cannabis has no medical value. I’m not talking about government officials who say that because the only substances they will admit are medicine are those that are FDA-approved; I’m talking about people who really believe that every person who claims to have medical ailments alleviated by cannabis use is either delusional or lying because they are trying to justify their urge to get high.

Is this group of people small? Maybe so, relatively speaking. But they each have a vote and many of them also have deep pockets and they use those deep pockets to fight legalization measures across the country.

Sadly, all it would take for these people to see their error is for someone they know to get sick and be helped by medical cannabis. It happens all the time. But some refuse to see. The evidence is there, even if they don’t see what medical marijuana can do on a personal level. Studies show people using cannabis to get off prescription painkillers, and there are studies that show cannabis use being effective for treating pain, nausea and a myriad of other ailments.

But beyond the studies are the millions of people who will tell you that they use cannabis to help with medical problems – millions of people who are able to function because cannabis exists. Telling those people that you think marijuana has no medical value makes you sound like a moron.

And if you truly believe that cannabis has no medical value, maybe moron is the best word to use to describe you. Perhaps your absolute refusal to look deeper into an issue you espouse an opinion on brings you the ridicule you deserve.

Is Medical Marijuana Denial the New Flat Earth?
Source: Marijuana Times

The Power of Ignorance

January 14, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

Ignorance doesn’t discriminate. It is not exclusive to any race, creed, religion, economic status or intelligence level. This is because ignorance often comes down to a simple lack of perspective – and lack of perspective is a flaw every human can succumb to.

In our minds we tend to exclude some groups of people from those who fall prey to this flaw; we put our trust in them as authorities and experts, and we often – whether we mean to or not – let them make decisions for us.

But a so-called person of authority can be just as ignorant about a subject as anyone else. The fact that people see them as an authority or expert on a matter may be the very reason they are blind to seeing a subject from another perspective.

As an example, let us examine a recent op-ed written by Dr. John C. Ropp III, chairman of the Board of the South Carolina Medical Association. It is a screed of jumbled misconceptions and odd justifications so full of ignorance about cannabis that one would have to assume the author had never really looked into the issue at all.

You see, Dr. Ropp thinks that the consideration of medical marijuana in South Carolina is ill-considered because he feels that doctors shouldn’t be the ones in charge of making decisions about cannabis, at least until others in the federal government tell them that it’s okay.

Of legislators in South Carolina, Dr. Ropp said they “intend to have this debate as though it were a medical issue by making physicians the singular access point for the ‘marijuana drug.’” Beyond the offensive ignorance inherent in the phrase “as though it were a medical issue”, Dr. Ropp seems to be saying that there is a problem with doctors making decisions on matters of health, an odd abdication of responsibility by someone who presumes to speak for all doctors in the state.

Dr. Ropp feels it is wrong to force “physicians to decide who can and cannot have access to marijuana.” On this I can agree with the good doctor. The only person’s permission needed for someone to ingest marijuana should be the person themselves. But, of course, Dr. Ropp thinks that no one should have the power to decide such matters, at least not until the government has decreed it so.

Dr. Ropp then spends two paragraphs explaining the Controlled Substances Act and why marijuana is placed under Schedule 1, as if the placement of cannabis on that list is in any way justified.

“As physicians, our main concern is medical safety and efficacy, which can only be clearly determined for marijuana after controlled scientific testing on a widespread peer-reviewed basis,” he writes. “For decades, the DEA, FDA, and National Institutes of Health have all agreed on this same process.”

So until the authorities that have wrongly kept marijuana as Schedule I for almost 50 years decide that they made an error and rectify the situation, Dr. Ropp thinks putting the power to recommend marijuana in the hands of doctors is a dangerous proposition. Until the FDA – the agency that has approved drugs that kill tens of thousands of people every year while cannabis has never killed anyone – deems cannabis a medicine, it should not be considered as one.

Ignorance is a powerful thing, but it shouldn’t have the power to deny human beings sovereignty over their own bodies when it comes to what medicine they are allowed to ingest.

The Power of Ignorance
Source: Marijuana Times

Important Tips for Using CBD for Dogs

January 10, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

The cannabis plant has a variety of compounds that include CBD, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phytocannabinoids. Humans have specific cannabinoid receptor sites that are located in the brain and the central nervous system. Additionally, the sites are also found in the immune cells of the peripheral organs. Cannabis has wide benefits for human health, but it can also be beneficial for your dog. CBD for dogs can be used to treat pets suffering from a number of different ailments.

How CBD can help your dog

CBD oil for dogs can help treat both acute and chronic diseases. Among the chronic conditions, it can help with digestive issues, aggression, stress responses, and arthritis. Research from veterinarians shows that CBD is useful in the treatment of bone breaks, strains, and torn ligaments in dogs. It’s commonly used during post-operative care as it helps to reduce stiffness, pain, and swelling. If you are using conventional drugs on your dog for any of these ailments, then the use of CBD may make it possible to achieve therapeutic effects with lower doses of the drugs.

Straight CBD for dogs that is derived from hemp may be what will get your dog going again. According to a survey conducted in 2016 at the Colorado State University, 72% of those surveyed reported having used a hemp-based cannabis product on their dog(s), and 64% of those surveyed also admitted that the product was helpful to their dog(s). In a 2018 report by the American Veterinarian, various types of cannabis were a priority for veterinarians as the research into pain management and symptoms relief benefits was showing positive results.

Is it safe to give your dog CBD?

Most vets will agree that it is not safe to give your dog CBD with high amounts of THC, which is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. There are plenty of reasons why you should not. The most common being dogs may not enjoy THC the same way humans do and it might turn out to be dangerous. CBD oil for dogs is derived from the hemp plant, which has low amounts of THC. Most have 0.03% of THC – which is often the recommended percentage for use in health applications.

For those buying CBD for dogs online, it is advisable to do your research before buying. This will help you to avoid falling prey to the hype in the market. It is also important to seek impartial views in order to see what other people are saying concerning the product. Most CBD bought online comes from industrial hemp. The extraction process involves the use of solvents like hexane and butane. When these solvents are not properly handled they may leave a toxic residue. This is one of the reasons you should do your research on the company you intend to buy your CBD products from. The research should include how they make their products and any unbiased reviews.

CBD should also be placed in a safe place away from the dog as they may probably eat more than they should if they happen to find it. This is most important for CBD dog products like CBD dog biscuits and treats. The products should be kept in a safe place, such as behind a locked door.

Treating dog conditions with CBD oil

Relieving pain and inflammation

The most popular benefit of using hemp oil for dogs is in the treatment of inflammation and pain relief. Many types of health conditions result in pain. Although inflammation is part of the healing process, it may lead to an increase in pain and discomfort for your dog. Studies have shown that CBD helps to interrupt the pain signals through suppression. This happens in the brain, which helps to alleviate both chronic and acute pain in your dog.

Reduces anxiety and stress

Dogs can develop anxiety and stress from loud noises and alarms. Conversely, dogs may also experience stress and anxiety when they are in a crowded place or riding in a car. Some of the symptoms of stress in a dog include excessive panting, reduced appetite, behavioral changes, and shaking. CBD oil for dogs might help to reduce situational stress or anxiety in a dog. According to researchers, serotonin plays a significant role in helping to reduce anxiety.

Tips for using CBD for Dogs

These guidelines for the health and safety of your dog should be followed if you decide to give CBD a try.

Start low: The dosage of CBD from hemp varies in regards to the product. It is very important to follow the dosage directions, which are stated on the product label. It is recommended to use CBD for dogs according to the weight of your pet. Conversely, some pets may use more or less CBD depending on their current condition. The general rule is to always be conservative and ensure you observe your dog over the course of a few days to check for adverse effects.
Use oil: CBD oil for dogs can easily be mixed in food and is the main choice for most pet owners. The oil allows for easier absorption of the cannabis into the body. In addition, it produces less intense effects which are long-lasting.
Consult with a veterinarian: When it comes to cannabis for pets, many vets are getting on board. Some vets have received special training on cannabis and you may easily be informed by a vet on the safest and best way of using CBD for dogs.
Monitor your dog: The first time you give your dog cannabis it is important to keep an eye on them. Monitor your dog on a daily basis to see if there are any changes to the conditions being treated. The best way to do this is to keep a log of the day and amount of dosage you administered in case you may want to change the dosage in the future.
Go organic: It is important to avoid exposing your dog to pesticides. The hemp oil for dogs you use should be safely produced. You also should ensure that it is also organically sourced.

When you decide to introduce CBD products to your dogs, there are many considerations that you have to bear in mind. They range from proper dosage to choosing the best and safest products. Keep in mind that dogs, just like humans, stand to benefit a lot from this extract, but that will depend on how it is administered.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and educational purposes only and is not intended to reflect the views of the publication.

Important Tips for Using CBD for Dogs
Source: Marijuana Times

New Study Suggests Veterinarians are Still Hesitant to Discuss CBD Treatments

January 9, 2019 by Staff Writer Leave a Comment

In the last 6 years, the cannabinoid known as CBD (cannabidiol) has gone from something almost no one had heard of to something almost everyone wants to know more about. With the recent federal legalization of hemp, the hemp-derived CBD industry is poised to grow faster than it already has.

And the questions that surround CBD are not confined to the human realm. Dog owners are increasingly interested in what CBD can do for their canine companions. But a recent study shows dog owners may have to find other avenues of information regarding CBD – avenues that do not include their dog’s veterinarian.

A recent online survey conducted by researchers from Colorado State University, North Carolina State University and the Veterinary Information Network collected responses from some 2,130 vets across the country and “gauged US veterinarians’ knowledge level, views and experiences related to the use of cannabinoids in the medical treatment of dogs.”

While roughly 61% of respondents felt comfortable discussing CBD with their colleagues, only 45.5% were comfortable discussing CBD with the pet owners they see. That means more than half of vets won’t even broach the subject of CBD with owners whose pets may benefit from it.

And while vets “practicing in states with legalized recreational marijuana were more likely to advise their clients and recommend the use of CBD,” surprisingly “[r]ecent veterinary graduates were less likely to recommend or prescribe CBD.”

One has to wonder while vets who are newer to practice would be less likely to recommend something we know much more about than we did 5 years ago. What we have learned about CBD in that time has been overwhelmingly positive, with even the World Health Organization declaring CBD to be not harmful. “At its November 2017 meeting, the WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence (ECDD) concluded that, in its pure state, cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potential or cause harm.”

It would seem that the natural tendency is for those new to the vet business to be more likely to recommend CBD as time goes on as medical practitioners in general become more comfortable with the substance, but so far the data doesn’t seem to have borne that out.

One key to veterinary reluctance on CBD seems to be a wish for more information and guidance. “Participants felt their state veterinary associations and veterinary boards did not provide sufficient guidance for them to practice within applicable laws,” the study’s abstract reads in part. “Recent graduates and those practicing in states with legalized recreational marijuana were more likely to agree that research regarding the use of CBD in dogs is needed.”

Another reminder that there is still a long way to go to unleashing the full potential of the cannabis plant for those who need it, whether they have two legs or four.

New Study Suggests Veterinarians are Still Hesitant to Discuss CBD Treatments
Source: Marijuana Times