As pet owners look for natural ways to support their dogs’ health, CBD (cannabidiol) has emerged as a popular option. Derived from the hemp plant, CBD is non-psychoactive and has been associated with a range of potential benefits for dogs, from reducing anxiety to alleviating pain. This article explores the benefits of CBD for dogs, how to use it safely, and what to look for when choosing a product. What is CBD and How Does It Work in Dogs? CBD is one of many compounds found in the hemp plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive compound in cannabis, CBD does not produce a “high.” Instead, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), present in humans and dogs. The ECS plays a role in regulating various bodily functions such as mood, appetite, pain, and immune response. CBD can help support this system, potentially leading to a range of health benefits for your dog. Benefits of CBD for Dogs Reducing Anxiety and Stress Many dog owners turn to CBD to help manage anxiety, whether it’s due to separation, thunderstorms, or other stressors. CBD can promote a calming effect by influencing the serotonin receptors in the brain. Studies have shown that CBD may help reduce anxiety behaviors in dogs, making it a potential natural remedy for pets prone to stress. Alleviating Pain and Inflammation CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for dogs suffering from arthritis or chronic pain. By reducing inflammation, CBD can help improve mobility and comfort, especially in older dogs. Supporting Joint Health CBD is often used to support joint health in aging dogs. Its ability to reduce inflammation and pain can lead to better mobility and quality of life for dogs with joint issues. Some studies suggest that CBD may even slow the progression of joint degeneration. CBD can also help dogs with appetite issues, whether due to illness or anxiety. It may stimulate appetite and reduce nausea, which is particularly beneficial for dogs undergoing treatments like chemotherapy. How to Use CBD for Dogs When considering CBD for your dog, using high-quality products designed specifically for pets is crucial. Here are a few tips: Choose the Right Product: Look for full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD oils, as these contain a range of cannabinoids that can enhance the overall effect. Ensure the product is free from THC, as this can be toxic to dogs. Start with a Low Dose: It’s important to start with a low dose and monitor your dog’s response. Dosage can vary depending on the dog’s size, weight, and the severity of the condition being treated. Know your dog’s body weight and dosage! And, use this calculator as a starting point for the calculation of your pet’s dosage. Consult Your Veterinarian: Before starting any new supplement, including CBD, it’s advisable to consult with your veterinarian, especially if your dog is on other medications or has existing health conditions. Potential Side Effects and Risks While CBD is generally considered safe for dogs, some potential side effects may include drowsiness, dry mouth, and lowered blood pressure. Always use CBD products designed for pets, be cautious with dosing to avoid adverse effects, and never feed your pets cannabis. Conclusion CBD offers a range of potential benefits for dogs, from reducing anxiety to supporting joint health. As research continues, more dog owners turn to this natural remedy to enhance their pets’ well-being. Always choose high-quality, pet-specific products and consult your veterinarian to ensure the best results for your furry friend. ♦ Interested in high-quality CBD edibles and merchandise for yourself? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ For further reading and detailed studies, refer to the AKC, RCHC, and NCBI.
By Jessica Clark Critical substances found in cannabis plants include THC and CBD. Both have, over time, been connected to casual usage. Studies, however, also indicate that they could benefit mental health and general well-being. By examining their impacts on the body and brain, you may better grasp how CBD and THC may enhance your positive attitude. The reasons they can raise your happiness are covered in more depth in this article. Engaging with the ECS Emotional, stress, and mood regulation depends on the endocannabinoid system. That’s not the same as how THC and CBD interact with the ECS. CBD and the ECS CBD mostly modifies the ECS by inhibiting the endocannabinoid breakdown. The body produces these substances all by itself. It raises the endocannabinoid content. It intensifies the advantages of their mood-regulating mechanism. Furthermore, CBD interacts with serotonin receptors. You feel nervous for a significant part because of these. People might feel less nervous and better after taking CBD. The ECS and THC THC can connect directly with cannabis receptors in the early brain. It links to CB1 receptors there more than anywhere else in the body. This is where the psychoactive effects of THC happen. This contact might make you feel happy and giddy in small amounts, though. A more positive attitude may result from it. Improvement of How You Talk to Other People Having good relationships with other people is essential for keeping a positive attitude. CBD and THC may make these encounters better by lowering social nervousness. People feel like they are part of a group. Stress and CBD The best CBD vape may help people who have trouble with social nervousness. This could lead to good relationships with other people. It may help people who are uncomfortable or scared in social settings. This could make people feel more open and active. It may make people happy and help them get along better with others. THC and Stress THC makes people happy. It may lower guards and make interacting with other people fun. It may help you connect with people in more meaningful ways. You may feel cheerful and like you belong at the same time. Enhancement of the Sleeping Quality To maintain a positive attitude, getting adequate, healthy sleep is crucial. It might make you irritable, worn out, and have bad thoughts about not getting enough sleep. One may have better sleep with both CBD and THC. CBD and Sleep By tackling issues like pain and anxiety, CBD may improve your sleep. People who use it fall asleep faster and sleep better as it relaxes them. It might improve your awakened mood and behavior. THC and sleep It is well known that THC induces drowsiness. It could facilitate quicker and more restful sleep. While modest dosages might help you unwind, high quantities could interfere with your sleep habits. Improved sleep might help you maintain a positive attitude. Relieving of Pain One major issue that can be depressing and generally reduce your quality of life is chronic pain. Pain management is a suitable use for both CBD and THC. It might then lead to a more positive attitude. CBD Pain Relieving One way CBD helps is by lowering inflammation. Pain of all sorts, from inflammatory to chronic, can be helped. Through pain relief, CBD may help individuals concentrate on the positive aspects of life. That can prevent them from becoming unduly unpleasant. ♦ Interested in high-quality edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ THC Pain Relieving THC works well in reducing pain as well. Its capacity to attach to brain CB1 receptors alters how people experience pain. This pain reduction can improve your quality of life and your general well-being. Characteristics that Defend Neurones Both CBD and THC may help protect neurons. These can support good health and efficient brain operation. A positive attitude is the result, in other words. Protection of the Neurones by CBD CBD battles inflammation and free radicals, therefore shielding brain cells from harm. That might work well for your brain overall. Your mood and clarity of thought may both improve. Cognitive Advantages of THC Researchers have found that THC helps new brain cells grow in some parts of the brain. This neurogenic action can improve your happiness and brain power. It can help you think more clearly and positively. Boosting Dopamine Levels Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good and gives your brain rewards. CBD and THC can both change the amount of dopamine in the brain, which can improve mood. CBD and Dopamine CBD changes the ECS and serotonin receptors, which indirectly affects dopamine levels. In turn, this can make you feel better and lift your mood. It can do that without giving you the high that THC does. THC and Dopamine THC directly raises the release of dopamine. It could make you feel happy and euphoric right away. This increase in dopamine levels can make you feel a lot better. A more positive attitude may result from it. Conclusion CBD and THC can give you a positive attitude in many ways. These compounds improve happiness and well-being, from lowering worry and stress to improving sleep. So, both CBD and THC can help people improve their mental health and have a better view of life.
If anyone has been anywhere on the internet, the term “420 blaze it” while video gaming has likely been heard. Now more of a meme, the cannabis term has often been seen during first-person shooter video game compilations, accompanied by air horns and several images of Doritos and Mountain Dew. However, whether the mention of cannabis during gaming is used as a joke or not, the relevance of cannabis use when gaming is undeniable. But, is it safe? Research into Cannabis and Video Gaming Several scholarly websites claim cannabis and gaming are not a good mix. Research into scholarly articles, such as “Co-Occurrence of Addictive Behaviours: Personality Factors…” leads to a rabbit hole of gaming addiction, drug addiction, and mental health issues. Cannabis use and psychosis (a symptom where a person loses understanding of reality) are a few of the scariest to stand out. And, although getting “high” for gaming might sound like a great idea in theory, realistically all a person is doing is confusing their senses of reality. The above-mentioned articles are often related to cannabis use and abuse. Not nearly as many articles exist comparing CBD to gaming performance. CBD is quite different, as it often has little to no THC (the psychoactive part of cannabis). That means no psychosis, no getting high, but maintaining the same calmness that cannabis seems to offer some people. Cannabis is hit-or-miss, while CBD has a similar effect every single time–something essential for maintaining consistency while gaming. ♦ Interested in high-quality edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ So, what does CBD do? Well, CBD is believed to calm down the mind and body by modifying serotonin levels. Serotonin is essential for sleep, mood, digestion, and many more bodily necessities. And, given that all, the next logical step is that CBD can assist video gamers in staying calm during stressful moments in video gaming. CBD may even help with preventing a build-up of rage. The act of yelling and becoming angry is rewarded by the body in the form of dopamine, the “rush” most people get from addictive drugs. CBD is, in the simplest terms, safer, easier to maintain, and offers very similar effects of “de-stressing” as cannabis does. CBD’s Ongoing Research Written in a “Hypothesis and Theory” article on Frontiers (a research journal hub), “Whereas THC impairs performance on motor and response inhibition tasks, cannabidiol (CBD) does not impair motor or cognitive performance.” And, although CBD is still being studied, a consensus seems to be forming. More research is, of course, necessary. A quick Google Scholar research leads to an infinite pool of suggestions. Most “CBD and gaming” related articles have to do with Compulsive Buying Disorder (CBD), THC, and gaming addiction. What Does This Mean For Video Gaming? The reason why this article has a rather diluted conclusion is that that’s simply where this day and age has CBD at. Even though CBD has existed for over half a century, only now is the THC alternative becoming popular and more widely accepted. It cannot be repeated enough that more research must be done. However, CBD can, for some people, lead to a calmer, perhaps even more focused, gaming session. And, although no results are guaranteed, the final decider is, and always should be, you. So, ask yourself… What do you want? In the end, you must decide what experience you want to have.
Grey space–it’s the middle area that demands attention. And, CBD, is in such a grey space. Alcohol, hard drugs, and smoking are just a few examples of things within the black-and-white space. Alcohol is dangerous to developing brains and can cause permanent damage. And, (in the US) the drinking age is hard-lined at 21. Hard drugs are strictly forbidden and any use or selling will be treated with extreme prejudice. Smoking, similar to alcohol, has a legal age of 18. It can cause birth defects, cause lung cancer, and utterly destroy someone’s athletic career… But, where do CBD edibles fit in? Everyday Life Grey For most people, taking supplements is a daily occurrence. And, as a person gets older or begins to work out more, obtaining high-quality nutrients can become even more essential and easier to forget. Finding out how to better yourself and finding a way to improve your well-being can mean the difference between feeling good… and feeling bad. Everyone can use a little bit of calm in their life. You don’t need to be a teenager to experiment with how you become calm, although there are less dangerous ways to go about it than smoking. Take edibles, as an example. ♦ Interested in high-quality CBD edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ CBD is safer in edible form than smoking, that much is certain, but it is a fairly new product that many countries are only just making legal. The claims state that CBD can reduce stress, but where are the facts to back them? Proof That CBD Shouldn’t Be In Grey Space Below are three credible sources and studies that can help ease some uncertainty related to the grey zone that CBD is, unfortunately, lingering in. NCBI Journal of Cannabis Research 2021 Research A Canadian medical cannabis clinic did an observational study involving how CBD usage affects its user’s mental distress. A sample was taken from people with an overall poor well-being. Using the ESAS-r scale, those participating in the study put a number to their levels of distress. By the first follow-up, all people who had taken CBD had lower ESAS-r scores, meaning they were feeling better taking CBD vs. taking nothing at all. Harvard Health Publishing 2021 Article Peter Grinspoon, MD, writer of this particular Harvard article, explains several general facts about CBD. Such as it can help ease certain physical and mental issues. CDC 2022 CBD Information The CDC, founded in 1946 in Atlanta, Georgia, is now a worldwide center designed to keep the health of humans to the highest degree. Then, the CDC published an article on CBD’s advantages and side effects. The CDC explains many important things related to the usage of and the effects of CBD. However, something of note is that CBD does have official, FDA-approved medicinal use. Epidiolex is an FDA-approved, purified CBD medicine. Derived from hemp, CBD is scientifically proven to help treat rare seizure disorders. Conclusion At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. But, science backs the truth. If there is any chance of feeling better and healthier, there is little harm in trying out something safe you haven’t tried before.
In 1940, American organic chemist Roger Adams discovered cannabidiol, which today is known best as CBD. It was quickly determined that CBD was non-psychoactive (no effect on behavior or emotion). However, the discovery and harmlessness of CBD were quickly overshadowed by the discovery of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and the “high” or “intoxication” that it causes. But, this article isn’t about the history of the “big bad” THC. This is an article about its forgotten, quiet sibling called CBD and why CBD doesn’t deserve the same stigma as its psychoactive brethren. The Beginnings of CBD Edibles Hemp has been around for thousands of years, and its usefulness has been known and respected for a long time. Hemp is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, similar to the growth rate of bamboo. Growing up to two inches a day, hemp is a very low-maintenance plant that can provide essential oils, strong fibers for rope, CBD supplements, and nutrient-rich supplements for humans and four-legged animals alike. This particular species has also been known for its excellent “air-cleaning” ability and is far more efficient at taking in CO2 and producing oxygen than trees. Dried fibers can be twisted into a robust rope. Entire boats will be held in place by mold-resistant hemp rope and climbers trust their lives with it. Hemp is stronger than wood fiber, with a 1″ thick rope capable of holding over a thousand pounds. And that’s just one use for the hemp plant. Ancient Day Edibles According to Crocq, author of “History of Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System,” published in 2020 in the National Library of Medicine: 4,000 years ago, cannabis was used by people all over the world to treat mental and emotional distress and physical health problems. The ancient Greeks used cannabis as a therapeutic drug to settle mood and pain-based issues Cannabis used not to be the enemy, seen even as a holy plant in the Hindu legend of Shiva. And, in the 1800s, a doctor by the name of William Brooke discovered CBD as a potential for treatment in children. Modern Day Edibles The stigma related to hemp is massive enough that, should you go into big hardware stores, most “hemp” rope will be made of sisal, jute, and manila fibers instead. Roger Adams’ findings on CBD should have been cause enough for relief–instead, CBD was stigmatized as much as hemp rope was, becoming barred off from civilization as if it were poison. ♦ Interested in high-quality CBD edibles and merchandise? Check out the FGE shop and FGE Etsy Store ♦ Humans, to put it frankly, fear the unknown. And when “Reefer Madness” came out in 1936 and hundreds of anti-cannabis PSAs came to light, it seemed country after country was convinced of its treachery. Laws and acts were created to completely outlaw the various kinds of marijuana that were shown to “induce violent behavior.” Whether it was because law enforcement wanted more people off the streets, politicians wanted something to unite the people (or some equally absurd reason), CBD became the enemy on an international level. How Different Countries View Edibles Below are just a few of the many countries that approve or disapprove of CBD recreationally. Uruguay Uruguay was one of the first countries in the modern era to legalize the usage, cultivation, sale, and exportation of cannabis. Although there are smaller rules about the specifics, Uruguay made big news back in 2013 when they legalized recreational cannabis. CBD, in extension, is approved for usage. Sweden Sweden is, unfortunately, extremely against nearly all usage of cannabis unless for a particular medical purpose. CBD, although rather innocent compared to THC, remains under scrutiny. Any percentage of THC found within it immediately makes the edible illegal. It is theorized that Sweden may be one of the last European countries to legalize cannabis for recreational usage. This is partly due to the country-wide demonization of cannabis and the horrible side effects it causes. Cannabis warnings explained that having any form of cannabis would lead to violent outbursts, mental illness, and horrible, unspeakable things. The only way to get rid of cannabis was to criminalize all distribution and possession of it. The United States The United States has several states that all have different legislation and ideas on how good or bad cannabis is. CBD, in most cases, is legal depending upon the amount of THC present within the edible. California was one of the first states to legalize the use of medical cannabis in 1996. The first two states to legalize the recreational usage of cannabis were Colorado and Washington state. Jamaica Jamaica used to demonize the usage of cannabis to a level that anyone found possessing it was thrown into jail. Despite the likes of Bob Marley, Jamaica had remained strong on its criminalization of cannabis. It wasn’t until 2015 that Jamaica legalized cannabis for medical usage. CBD is legal and recognized by the government to be a drug nearly incapable of offering any kind of “high.” This country believes that the amount of trace THC found within CBD is insignificant. Specifically, when compared to what is found in marijuana products worldwide. For more information on the countries’ legalization of CBD, check out “Countries Where CBD Usage is Legal.“ The Takeaway At the end of the day, what you choose to do with your life is entirely up to you. However, fear should not be the driving force against CBD. It is not a narcotic, although the uneducated might try to deem it as such. Just be very aware of what your CBD contains. Since CBD is often not FDA-approved, some CBD brands will have more THC in it than advertised. Stick with safe, lab-tested, proven CBD for that “feel good” guarantee.
