Cannabidiol (CBD) has witnessed a sustained rise in popularity over the years, ever since this cannabis extract was discovered and isolated in the 1940s.
Most studies around CBD mainly focused on the compound’s reported analgesic properties at the time of discovery.
But over the years, medical researchers have consistently uncovered other medicinal uses of CBD, including relief from pain, seizures, insomnia, nausea, inflammation, etc., which explains why industry analysts now predict tremendous growth in CBD sales.
Today, cannabidiol has become a household name in the literal sense of the word. Not only can you benefit from CBD’s immense therapeutic properties, but you can also use the substance to treat a host of diseases in pets.
A bowl of cannabis seeds and a bottle of cannabidiol oil
Is CBD Legal?
Like many other cannabis extracts, CBD remains illegal in various countries around the world. The substance is still treated with a degree of skepticism, even in certain countries where marijuana is legal. So, if you’re planning to purchase theCBD oil tincture
or other CBD products for your pet, you may come across some weird myths associated with the compound. As fictitious as most CBD myths are, some of them are so convincing that they’re likely to dissuade you from purchasing a CBD-based product for your furry, feathery, or scaly friend. rnTherefore, it’s important to proceed from the point of information so that you can sift the truth from a sea of misinformation.
Common Myths Associated With CBD for Pets
CBD will make your dog highrnThis is probably the most common CBD myth you’ll encounter out there. rnContrary to popular perception, not all cannabis extracts induce euphoria. In fact, many cannabis compounds (known as cannabinoids) contain more therapeutic than psychedelic properties. rnTo put it plainly, CBD will not make your dog high. rnThe most popular cannabis extract that induces a high is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Both CBD and THC interact with receptors in your pet’s endocannabinoid system, known as endocannabinoid receptors.
The difference lies in the specific receptors that each cannabinoid interacts with.
Now, CBD interacts with receptors located farthest from your pet’s brain and central nervous system, whereas THC binds to receptors located within proximity to the animal’s brain.
That explains why THC induces euphoria, whereas CBD doesn’t.
All CBD products are the same
We’ve just highlighted that CBD contains no psychotropic properties. However, that’s not always the case.
As you shall find, many CBD products are also formulated to include the mind-altering compound tetrahydrocannabinol.
While CBD will not induce euphoria in its purest form, the situation suddenly changes when you throw THC into the equation.
But how do you establish that a CBD product contains THC? rnThe convention is to look out for any of the following words – isolates, broad-spectrum, and full-spectrum.
Products labeled ‘isolates’ usually contain CBD as the only active cannabinoid. Broad-spectrum CBD products feature CBD and as many cannabinoids as possible, apart from THC.
Lastly, full-spectrum CBD products contain CBD and significant THC levels, as well as many other cannabinoids.
If you’re introducing cannabidiol to your pet for the first time, the conventional wisdom is to shun full-spectrum CBD products and insist on isolates or broad-spectrum CBD.
CBD will make your dog tired and sleepy
This is another common myth you’ll encounter when scouring cannabis retail outlets for the best CBD product for your pet.
It’s undeniably true that cannabidiol contains powerful relaxing properties, which explains why medical doctors often recommend it for anxiety and sleep disorders like insomnia.
However, CBD will not make your pet tired or too sleepy. On the contrary, the substance will make the animal relaxed and more focused.
If anything, cannabidiol can relieve fatigue and make an otherwise lethargic pet super-active.
CBD is legal/illegal
We began by highlighting that CBD remains illegal in various countries around the world, regardless of its many documented health benefits.
However, the situation is not as black and white as it may appear.
For instance, in the United States, the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived CBD legal across all fifty states.
Marijuana-derived CBD is also considered legal as long as it contains a maximum THC concentration of 0.3%.
But here’s where the situation gets a bit fuzzy – the federal government still considers CBD as a Schedule 1 drug, which means that you cannot administer cannabidiol to your pet on federal property, such as state parks.
As a responsible pet owner, always establish CBD's legality in your jurisdiction before acquiring the substance for your pet.
CBD is the magic pill to your pet’s ailmentsrnThere’s no doubt that cannabidiol might cure numerous ailments in pets, including
seizures, anxiety, osteoarthritis, to mention but a few. However, CBD is not the magic pill to your pet’s ailments.
rnWhile the substance is generally effective for most conditions that manifest in pain, inflammation, anxiety, and insomnia, there’s no guarantee that it will work for your pet.
Your pet may not even like CBD in the first place, especially if you give him unsweetened oral tinctures.
Worse yet, he may develop an instant sensitivity to the substance, leading to side effects like nausea and drowsiness.