Anxiety
While researchers are still trying to pin down the exact mechanisms by which CBD decreases anxiety and stress in mammals including humans and dogs, more than a decade of studies show that CBD can be highly effective in this application. Anxiety in dogs can manifest itself in many ways, including aggression, fear, noise phobias, and separation anxiety (a particularly big issue for pups used to work-from-home owners who have been forced to return to the office). CBD has been shown to be effective in all of these areas, helping dogs to feel more relaxed and at ease with minimal side effects.
While CBD can be remarkably fast acting—taking effect in as little as 5 to 20 minutes—its anti-anxiety benefits have been shown to accrue with regular usage over time. This means that if your furry pal suffers from regular bouts of anxiety, you might be best off giving him or her a regular dose of CBD oil, which can help your dog remain calm and comfortable over the long term. While research in dogs is ongoing, one study involving rats showed that those given larger doses of CBD experienced significantly less anxiety when exposed to stress in the form of a cat.
Pain
Pain comes in many forms, and, promisingly, CBD appears to have a powerful impact on multiple kinds of pain in dogs, from arthritis pain to nerve pain. When it comes to alleviating pain, scientists have a better understanding of how CBD works. In the body, CBD binds to certain receptors known as CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors, which are found in the brain and throughout the nervous system, play a central role in how dogs perceive pain. By binding with the CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD can alleviate the sensation of pain associated with a wide range of ailments, including joint/arthritis pain. Further, CBD boasts additional benefits—such as its anti-inflammatory characteristics—that further help reduce pain from conditions like arthritis by addressing the underlying condition, and CBD helps with the sleeplessness and restlessness that often come with chronic pain.
Cancer
While research into the effects that CBD oil has on dogs with cancer is still in its early stages, there is strong evidence that CBD offers several significant benefits for fighting cancer in mammals, including dogs. Studies have demonstrated that CBD kills cancer cells directly by attacking their energy production, stimulates vital immune responses including the release of immune-system cells that attack cancer cells, and makes cancer cells more susceptible to conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy. Further, CBD can help reduce the pain and nausea associated with chemotherapy.
Joint Pain / Arthritis
Joint pain and arthritis are both common ailments experienced by aging dogs, yet traditional treatments with prescription pain medications have left a lot to desire with their significant side effects, including kidney and joint damage. Plus, pain meds merely mask the symptoms while not doing anything to address the core problem. CBD oil, on the other hand, has the potential to both alleviate the pain while attacking the cause by reducing joint inflammation. The same CB1 and CB2 receptors that have a significant role in how dogs’ bodies perceive pain also have an important part to play when it comes to stimulating the immune system to fight inflammation, causing the body to release additional anti-inflammatory cannabinoids. This can lead to improved joint health—and reduced pain—over the short and long term.