Cannabis has been used for medicinal use for rheumatism, inflammation, pain and epilepsy for about 6000 years.
Our CBD oil is a product we are proud of, the oil is truly unique in the supplement world. The reason is that it is a liposomal full spectrum CBD oil. Full spectrum means that all 60 (known) different cannabinoids, as well as the flavonoids and fatty acids of the fiber hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa L) are processed in the oil. Of these, cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant cannabinoid. A full spectrum CBD oil is made by minimal processing of the hemp plant through CO2 distillation.
The bioavailability of a standard CBD oil is 6-19%. Furthermore, the mean half-life has been measured at 2.5-8 hours. Due to the liposomal processing of the CBD oil, the absorption (bioavailability) in the bloodstream and cells is unprecedentedly high, furthermore, the release to the cells is more stable and therefore the half-life is higher. Liposomalizing CBD oil is the specialty of pharmacist Klaas Riepma of Midra bv.
Endocannabinoid system
The exact mechanism of action of CBD has not yet been fully researched or demonstrated. In the body, the cannabinoids interact with at least 76 molecules, mainly receptors and enzymes by binding to various cannabinoid receptors. The body of humans and animals produces its own cannabinoids (the so-called endocannabinoids). These endocannabinoids, receptors and synthesis of the related enzymes and proteins is called the Endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoids have a function in movement, perception, regulation of sleep and appetite, learning processes, memory, regulation of emotions such as aggression, neuroprotection and pain relief and tumor cell proliferation.
Cannabidiol (CBD) can bind to the body’s own endocannabinoid system. As a result, CBD oil affects the body’s own endo-cannabionoid system. The absorption, reuptake and metabolism of the neurotransmitters glutamate, GABA, serotonin and dopamine are affected. CBD binds to the serotonin receptor 5HT and thereby inhibits the absorption and metabolism of anandamide, an endocannabinoid. This leads to an inhibition of the reuptake of adenosine, which leads to an increase in adenosine in the body and thus better protection of the nerves and inhibition of inflammation.
Cannabinoids also act on the CB1 (Type 1 cannabinoid) and CB2 (Type 2 cannabinoid) receptors, but there are many more receptors such as GPR55, GPR119, TRPV and PPAR. The CB1 receptors are mainly located in the central and peripheral nervous system. It seems that THC has the greatest effect on the CB1 receptors. CB2 receptors are found more in the intestinal tract and immune system (on leukocytes and microglial cells). Cannabinoids can bind to these receptors and then inhibit the release of neurotransmitters acetylcholine and glutamate, which in turn has an effect on the opioid and serotonin receptors. CBD therefore also binds to the 5HT receptor, but also to other “non-cannabinoid receptors”.
Effects of CBD oil.
CBD oil therefore has an analgesic effect and also has an effect on neuropathic pain. The effect on acute pain is a lot less than with chronic pain. The combination with THC is more powerful in terms of pain relief than just the CBD. Furthermore, it has an anti-inflammatory effect. It also has a positive effect on anxiety and depression, insomnia. It can also be treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with CBD oil. Furthermore, CBD can alleviate cancer-related symptoms. It reduces side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pain and stimulates appetite. Furthermore, CBD induces cell death and cell migration in cancer.
Due to its neuroprotective effect, CBD oil has an effect on neurological disorders such as epilepsy and MS and Parkinson’s disease. It lowers the muscle spasms of MS and Parkinson’s.
Indications for animals of CBD oil.
Due to the many receptors that CBD and other cannabinoids act on, but also the many tissues where the receptors are located, CBD oil has a very wide range of action and therefore usable indications.
These include:
- Analgesic; acute and chronic pain, nerve pain, low back pain, headache, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatism
- Epilepsy
- Neurological conditions: inflammation of nerves, degenerative diseases, degenerative myelopathy. Muscle strains and muscle spasms
- Behavioral problems: anxiety, stress, panic, nervousness, anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Sleep problems, mood swings
- Intestinal problems: chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, nausea, vomiting, esophageal reflux, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease
- Skin problems: skin inflammation, wound healing, skin allergies, itching
- Diabetes
- Glaucoma
- Appetite stimulation
- Immune-stimulating
- Cancer
Interactions.
CBD oil is metabolized in the liver by enzymes cytochrome P450. CBD can inhibit or activate the action of these enzymes. As a result, it interacts with, among other things, blood-thinning medication.
Side effects
CBD has mild side effects such as gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, appetite reduction, vomiting, and diarrhea. This is mainly seen when taking high doses. No side effects are known with liposomal CBD oil.
With chronic use, the ALT (Alkaline phosfatase) may be elevated, it itself decreased when stopping CBD oil and has no effect on liver function.
THC has much more severe side effects and include ataxia, disorientation, mydriasis, urinary incontinence, hyuresthesia, tremors, and vomiting.
Conclusion.
Unfortunately, we don’t really know exactly how hemp works, what the differences are between the full-spectrum, broad-spectrum and specific cannabidiol (CBD) oils. Of all CBD products on the market, the quality and variation of cannabinoid content is very variable and unreliable. Research has mainly been conducted on the effects of CBD and THC as the main cannabinoids. The other 60 cannabinoids are left behind, but can be essential in the synergistic or controlling effect of CBD or THC. In any case, the terpenes contained in the full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD oil have a positive synergistic effect in anxiety reduction. But research is also lacking in this.
Little is known about the right amount of CBD oil in humans, but even less is known about the use of animals. Advice for people is to start low and dose higher and higher until the desired effect is achieved. Of course, this is very difficult to do with animals. In my opinion, CBD oil is not a supplement that should be administered without the guidance of a veterinarian or therapist. Having said that, CBD oil remains a safe supplement with few side effects and can be administered for the above indications.
Literature consulted.
- Pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of cannabidiol in dogs: an update of current knowledge. Allessandra di Salvo et al.
- Pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol in dogs. E.Samara et al
- Scientific validation of cannabidiol for management of dog and cat diseases. Isabella Corsato Alvarenga et al. 2023
- Chronic Pain and Cannabidiol in Animal Models: Behavioral Pharmacology and Future Perspectives. Gleice Kelli Silva-Cardoso et al. 2023