All mammals have a biological and neurological system specifically tasked to receive and process nutritional cannabinoids. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in a variety of psychological processes and acts as a master regulator. This signalling system, that responds to certain states of health, relays instructions from the brain to cell receptors throughout the body.
You have probably heard that CBD oil, is being used to treat a wide variety of health issues in pets including anxiety, lack of appetite, overeating, pain, low energy levels, sleep issues, immune functions, and much more. It seems too good to be true. How can one product affect such a wide variety of aspects of health? The answer is that compounds such as cannabidiol and many others found in CBD oil act to supplement a powerful health-maintaining system found in all mammals called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The job of the ECS is to maintain a healthy balance in a wide variety of bodily functions.
To illustrate how the ECS works, imagine, if you will, a world where there are no traffic signals — no stoplights, no street signs, no lines on the roads, no blinkers or horns, no emergency sirens. The result would be chaos on the roads. Well, in much the same way that traffic signals keep traffic running smoothly, the ECS keeps a vast variety of bodily systems running smoothly.
The ECS is a signaling system of a much different kind. It consists of a number of components. The most notable of these are chemicals produced naturally by our brain called endocannabinoids. There are more than 100 different types of endocannabinoids, each with its own set of functions. These compounds interact with a system of receptors that are found on the surface of cells throughout the body known as endocannabinoid receptors.
Have you ever wondered how the brain can affect the functions of all the organs and individual cells throughout the body? It can’t connect to each and every cell. So it uses a signaling system – the ECS. Endocannabinoids are produced in response to certain states of health. These chemicals travel throughout the body via the circulatory system, and they interact with the endocannabinoid receptors on the surface of cells relaying instructions from the brain on how to behave.
For example, when your dog is low on nutrients the ECS helps to make them feel hungry. When they need rest, the ECS helps to make them feel sleepy. When danger or stress arises, the ECS makes them anxious. And when the danger passes, the ECS calms the dog down. These are just a few of the many examples of functions of the ECS.
If the ECS is out of balance — for example, an animal is lacking a particular endocannabinoid — bodily systems can become out of balance. In fact, studies suggest that a number of serious and chronic conditions from anxiety to arthritis are the result of a deficiency in particular endocannabinoids.
Fortunately, there’s a way to make up for these deficiencies — and it’s found in plants.
One particular category of active compounds produced in plants, and especially in cannabis, is known as phytocannabinoids. Other plants besides cannabis produce phytocannabinoids, but these extremely helpful compounds are particularly abundant in the cannabis plant.
The strains of cannabis from which CBD is extracted are known as phytocannabinoid-rich hemp, or PCR hemp. Hemp is a class of cannabis strains that contain negligible levels of THC. That’s the compound in cannabis that causes a high. PCR hemp produces scores of unique phytocannabinoids, the most abundant of which is CBD. THC levels in hemp are less than three parts in 1,000, or 0.3%, which is not enough to have any noticeable effect.
Phytocannabinoids affect the endocannabinoid system in much the same way as the endocannabinoids produced naturally by the body. Supplementation with phytocannabinoids found in CBD oil such as cannabidiol can help to make up for endocannabinoid deficiencies.
Furthermore, phytocannabinoids provide health benefits outside of the ECS such as acting as anti-inflammatories, antioxidants, and antibiotics. Anti-inflammatory compounds, as you would expect, reduce inflammation. Inflammation is the most common cause of pain. Antioxidants help to keep bodies clear of harmful toxins that can harm cells and cause cancer. And antibiotics help kill germs and fight infections.
CB1 is more abundant than any other neurotransmitter receptor
CB1 is more abundant than any other neurotransmitter receptor
Some of the bodily functions that are believed to be controlled in part by the ECS include digestion, moods, sleep cycles, circulation, immune function, pain response, and much, much more. A variety of ailments can result when these systems are not functioning properly. Supplementation with CBD may help to solve the problem.
The CBD products that we offer are made using extracts from the hemp plant. All products offered by Creating Brighter Days are effectively THC-free, non-toxic, non-addictive, and safe for pets of all sizes when used as directed.
Dogs and cats, in particular, are extremely sensitive to THC and it can make them very ill. They are at risk of THC toxicity due to their highly sensitive cell receptors, so never give your pet cannabis products that are not derived from hemp unless specifically directed by a qualified veterinarian. Always review a products’ Certificate of Analysis to ensure that it is safe for your pet.
It’s important to understand that CBD can affect every animal differently. The way that your pet responds to CBD supplementation can depend on a variety of factors, so it may take a little bit of experimentation to find the ideal dose. Always communicate with your veterinarian before starting Creating Brighter Days products to rule out any contraindications with other medications.
