News of CBD’s natural anticonvulsant
properties first broke in 2013 when the story
of Charlotte Figi, a young girl with epilepsy,
made headlines across the globe.
Charlotte’s only hope for managing her 300
weekly seizures was a tincture now known as
Charlotte’s Web, made from CBD rich
cannabis.
Since then, numerous studies have proven that
CBD can help manage a wide variety of
tremors, spasms, and tics.
For example, multiple studies have shown
that CBD can help manage seizures caused by
epilepsy.
Other studies have also shown that both CBD
and THC can help manage spasticity caused
by multiple sclerosis, and research also
suggests that CBD can help manage the tics
and tremors caused by Tourette’s syndrome.
Seizures are generally believed to be caused
by the rapid, uncontrolled firing of neurons in
the brain.
Preliminary research suggests CBD can help
restore order to these neurons, causing them
to fire normally and essentially prevent the
onset of seizures.
3. CBD is Anti-Inflammatory
As I mentioned earlier, CBD is renowned for
its anti-inflammatory effects.
In fact, the anti-inflammatory effects of CBD
are believed to be one of the main reasons the
compound is so useful in treating a wide
variety of conditions.
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are believed
to be linked to its ability to interact with
receptors in immune cells.
CBD interacts with CB2 receptors, which are
generally located inside immune cells.
By activating these receptors, CBD is able to
evoke a wide variety of immune responses.
One of these responses is to fight
inflammation.
Conditions like arthritis, MS, irritable bowel
disease, and many others, are characterized by
chronic inflammation.
In some cases, this inflammation can be
caused by a malfunctioning of the immune
system, causing it to attack healthy cells.
By helping lower inflammation, CBD can
help reduce pain and other symptoms of
conditions like IBD, arthritis, and more.
4. CBD Reduces Anxiety and Stress
It’s important to note that CBD doesn’t just
help deal with physical symptoms.
In fact, many studies have shown that CBD
can help manage the symptoms of a variety of
mental conditions, including anxiety.
Much like humans, pets can also suffer from
anxiety, stress or even specific phobias.
And while the exact source of anxiety may
differ in pets, it can cause stress and specific
physical reactions just like in humans.
Some common forms of anxiety affecting
dogs include separation anxiety, noise
anxiety, travel anxiety, and even specific
phobias.
In humans, anxiety and stress might cause us
to bite our nails, pace around, or become a
little shaky.
In dogs, anxiety can cause similar repetitive
behaviour.
Some common symptoms of anxiety in dogs
include:
• Persistent barking
• Chewing (furniture, shoes, rubbish,
toys etc)
• Urinating and defecating (usually
inside the house or crate)
• Aggression
• Tremors
CBD has been shown to help reduce feelings
of anxiety and thereby reduce these
symptoms.
Typical anxiety medications tend to target a
type of serotonin receptor in the body known
as 5-HT1A.
By targeting these receptors, anti-anxiety
medications can help temporarily boost
serotonin levels in the brain.
This can then lead to improvements in mood
and help temporarily reduce feelings of
anxiety or fear.
Research suggests that CBD might work in a
similar way, also temporarily increasing
serotonin levels in the brain.