You’ve probably read about CBD products or have heard someone mention them to you at this point. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is the compound found in hemp plants that are linked to the calming properties of marijuana use. It has been shown to provide certain health benefits for some users at certain doses and now, that has branched off into helping pets deal with certain issues they may be facing. Let’s take a closer look at what CBD use entails, and how it might be able to help you and your four-legged pals.
Understanding CBD
If you are considering CBD use for yourself, be sure to contact your primary care physician and any other members of your care team to proceed carefully. The same goes for your pet and contacting their vet. If you’re given the green light for CBD use, it’s important to have an understanding of what these products may entail. When it comes to dosages and the mg of CBD you or your furry friend are consuming, you want to start low and slow, whether you’re using CBD oils, tinctures, creams, or even edible treats for you or your pet.
You’ll also want to read labels carefully. Companies like Naternal emphasize creating clear labels that lay off the breakdown of their products. If you see full-spectrum CBD on a label, that means a product contains several naturally occurring parts of the cannabis plant like terpenes. If the label says broad-spectrum CBD, that means there are far more elements of hemp, including the possible presence of the psychoactive agent THC. When it comes to pets, you’ll want to look into products with CBD isolate. This is the purest and cleanest form of the compound.
CBD for You
There’s a wider array of CBD products available for you that may be able to provide certain health benefits. The compound of cannabidiol has helped some users to ease the pain brought on by arthritis and inflammation. This is through the production of endocannabinoids in the body that can amplify neurotransmitters in the nervous system to aid the body’s response to certain ailments and conditions. For example, Sativex, an oral spray containing CBD and THC, has been given to multiple sclerosis patients to deal with the pain.
Another common use of CBD helps in curbing stress that can be brought on by the day. This can quell some emotions that trigger other stressors that indirectly impact overall health. The use of these CBD products can be done in conjunction with other medicines prescribed by your care team, but only after consultation. This also branches into many options including salves, candies, and even beverages now that contain trace amounts of the compound.
CBD for Your Furry Friends
The use of CBD for pets has been a recent discovery that some owners and vets have found useful in helping animals deal with stress. One of the most common uses has emerged seasonally, as dogs, cats, and other pets can have triggering responses to fireworks brought on by summertime celebrations. Veterinarians may recommend a few drops of CBD isolate in your pet’s mouth to help them calmly get through the night.
As mentioned earlier, it’s important to check labels to make sure that there is no presence of THC in a CBD product being given to a pet. In some circumstances, vets may recommend CBD to aid in digestion for older pets, or even combat symptoms of epilepsy. This is an evolving market with new discoveries and changes being made almost daily. Be sure to keep in consultation with your vet and monitor your friend’s response to this form of treatment.
