I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first time a patient whispered that they were treating their dog with CBD hemp oil. She equated it to smoking weed and assumed it was a bad thing. It took all my power not to chuckle at how secretive she was being about a natural supplement. Unfortunately, she is not the only one with this belief. There are big differences between CBD hemp oil and “traditional” marijuana, however. In this article, we will explain the difference and the benefits. 

What is CBD hemp oil?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, the active chemical in hemp oil which contains many therapeutic effects. Hemp oil is different than traditional or medical marijuana because it is derived from hemp plants that are low in THC. THC is the active chemical that contributes to a “high” feeling. Traditional medical marijuana products are high in THC as well as CBD. However, not everyone wants their pet to be high while receiving the benefits of CBD. Therefore, hemp oil is an option to provide benefits without impairing its user. 

What does CBD do?

CBD interacts with numerous systems in the body. There are two types of receptors that we are currently aware of. These are: 

  • CB1 receptors – These are found throughout the body, but many are in the brain. These receptors involve movement, pain, mood, thinking, appetite and more.
  • CB2 receptors – These are involved in the immune system. They affect pain and inflammation.
  • CBD is believed to help with inflammation in addition to providing natural pain relief. It also has many other therapeutic effects.

What conditions might CBD help?

According to sources, CBD may be beneficial in treating epilepsy and other similar disorders without many of the potential side effects that common treatments have. Additionally, CBD may have a role in treating cancer. According to a review, the chemical may play a role in preventing the spread of cancer to other regions of the body in addition to suppressing the growth of cancer cells and also killing them. Other potential therapeutic benefits of CBD hemp oil may help with anxiety, type 1 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and more. 

While there doesn’t appear to be any data on the long term effects of CBD use, it does seem as though there are very minimal side effects. These side effects include tiredness and potential diarrhea. 

As you can see, CBD hemp oil has many potential benefits. As animal chiropractors, our goal is to restore normal motion and alignment to the joints of the body. This helps reduce pain and inflammation. CBD hemp oil is a great adjunct to help us do our jobs and get your fur family back on track as quick as possible.