The use of CBD oil has been a recent major health trend for both humans and pets. But is this trend just a matter of clever marketing? Or is there any research to back up the use of this product?

It turns out that CBD oil, also known as cannabidiol, has been well researched to provide a variety of health benefits thanks to the role the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) plays in many vital life processes. This system includes receptors, transmitters, and special enzymes helps to regulate mood, metabolism, sleep, pain, inflammation, and skin health.

While veterinary research into CBD oil for dogs is still in the early phases, much scientific research has been done on tissues, laboratory animals, and even humans. In addition, we know that canines share an ECS that functions similarly to that of humans. In additions, those veterinarians that have used CBD in their clinical practices have seen real results in many of their furry patients.

Here are a five of the most researched potential benefits of CBD oil:

1. Pain and Inflammation

One of the most researched aspects of cannabidiol is its ability to reduce both pain and inflammation. This is particularly important for owners of senior dogs who often suffer from joint pain from natural aging processes and/or degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis.

In fact, one study showed that just 2mg per kg of CBD oil administered twice daily significantly improved mobility of dogs who suffered from osteoarthritis. Another study showed that the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD are so powerful that they may even slow the progression of this debilitating disease.

In addition, the use of CBD may allow for less use of other pain medications since this natural compound seems to enhance their effect. This is great news for pet owners, many of whom are becoming aware of the potential dangers of long term use of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are the most common treatment for chronic joint pain and OA in canines.

2. Anxiety

The ECS also plays a role in regulating mood, and this is particularly true when it comes to anxiety. Although cannabis based medicine has long been understood to help some patients with PTSD, for example, the psychoactive or “high” that medical marijuana induces keeps many patients from being able to enjoy the anxiety reducing effect of this plant family. Since THC is potentially toxic to dogs in large doses, this is especially true for them.

This has made CBD, a non-psychoactive compound found in the low THC strain of cannabis known as hemp, a subject of much research as to its now well-known anti-anxiety properties. Although much of the research has been done on humans with anxiety disorders such as social anxiety, PTSD, and OCD, the compound seems to have a calming effect on dogs as well.

Of course, we don’t use the same terms to talk about anxiety in our furry friends. However, professional dog trainers and animal behaviorists agree that many common dog issues have anxiety and fear as their root, including: many forms of dog aggression, phobias such as fear of cars and thunderstorms, and separation anxiety.

Some dog trainers have found that using CBD oil in combination with positive reinforcement based training programs can drastically improve such anxiety related dog behaviors.

3. Digestion

One of the most interesting findings of cannabis based research over the last few decades is that the gut is packed full of endocannabinoid receptors. In fact, the ECS plays a major role in maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the digestive system.

It does this in several ways. First, the ECS regulates gut motility, in other words, the movement from the beginning to end of the digestive tract. Second, it appears to maintain the intestinal barrier, critical for keeping the gut lining in good health. Finally, it seems to play a vital role in the brain-gut axis, a pathway that is implicated in immune function and metabolism.

It should be no surprise then to find out that CBD is under current study as a potential therapy for a variety of digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Although not yet studied specifically in dogs, many holistic veterinarians have found it to be effective with a variety of digestive related issues in dogs including excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, appetite problems, and sensitive stomachs.

4. Healthy Skin

Dry and itchy skin in dogs is a common problem with many potential causes including food sensitivities, autoimmune diseases, and allergic reactions to chemicals, flea or tick bites, and even pollen. It is important that if your dog is experiencing persistent patches of dry, flaky, or inflamed areas of skin to visit your veterinarian to rule out more serious conditions that may need immediate treatment.

Because skin tissue is actually regulated by the Endocannabinoid System, CBD oil has been well researched as a potential therapy for several skin conditions. It works by activating the channels that regulate the growth and death of skin cells as well as the lipid production that keeps skin moist and healthy.

This is great news since skin problems can be difficult to diagnose and treat without potentially harmful long-term use of corticosteroids and immune suppressing pharmaceuticals. As a result, your vet may recommend CBD oil which can be safely given orally or applied topically to help with dry and itchy skin.

5. Cancer

CBD is not a cure for cancer, despite some internet hype to the contrary. However, there is quite a bit of research to support the use of cannabidiol as part of a cancer treatment program in several types of cancer, including: leukemia, lung cancer, breast cancer, glioma, pancreatic cancer, and colon cancer.

Cannabidiol seems to work in several ways to enhance some cancer treatment protocols. First, CBD oil has been shown to reduce tumor size by activating specific pathways that inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Second, CBD has been shown in some studies to improve the action of chemotherapy agents by sensitizing cells to this common form of cancer treatment. Finally, CBD also appears to help with several of the more problematic side effects of cancer therapy, including reduced appetite, nausea, and pain.

Of course, it is imperative that if your canine companion is undergoing cancer treatment to consult with your veterinarian about the possible use of CBD as part of a targeted cancer treatment program. This is particularly important since CBD is known to interact with some pharmaceutical drugs.

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Zamnesia is one of the world’s leading online smartshops, offering an immense range of products including feminized and autoflowering cannabis seeds, magic mushroom grow kits, vaporizers, entheogenic plants, and much more.

This product range has been enjoyed by psychonauts all across the world for many years, catalysing philosophical conversations, creative projects, and cognitive enhancement.

Since its humble origins, Zamnesia has been known as a friendly and customer-centric company that puts their customer relationships first. No matter what experience you are looking for or the queries you have, their huge customer service team is ready and waiting to guide you on your journey.

The Zamnesia website has been a familiar and nostalgic site since its last upgrade in 2012. It’s an easy-to-use platform with distinct categories that make for a fluid and easy shopping experience. Although known primarily for its huge product range, the current website also features a massive archive of blog posts that provide information on beginner growing, recipes, mushroom grow guides, vaporizer reviews, and strain reviews.

However, Zamnesia continues to grow, and now it’s time for the next stage in the company’s evolution: Zamnesia 2.0! A new website upgrade is on the way, one that will feature improved usability on both desktop and mobile platforms, allowing users to shop with increased efficiency both at home and on the road.

The new site will also feature a huge aesthetic improvement in the form of natural pastel colours, making the browsing experience even more visually appealing than before.

 Zamnesia doesn’t take such upgrades lightly; this isn’t just a casual step in their progress as a company, it’s another huge leap in their journey. For this reason, Zamnesia is in the mood to celebrate!

The company is offering a 20% discount across all of their shops over a 6-day period, with one day dedicated to each shop.

This discount event will commence on April 14th starting with the Seedshop, which boasts a huge selection of feminized and autoflowering strains.

The following days will see discounts in the Headshop, Vaporshop, CBDshop, Smartshop, and Shroomshop. Be sure to place these dates on your calendar to secure such a large discount on such amazing products!

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Arriving at Spannabis for the first time is a bit like entering another world. Well, you are entering another world, for a few days at least. One absolutely full to the brim of stoners, and it is wonderful.

Even the hotel we stayed at near the event itself was packed to the brim of cannabis people from seedbanks to nutrient companies to grow shops, it seemed like every brand from the world of cannabis was there. Many thanks to Mark from Barney’s Farm for sorting out the tickets. Top man.

I even managed to grab a quick chat with the Cheese man himself, Big Buddha (below).

A very interesting conversation, during which he noted that -whilst everybody was going a bit crazy over Kushes at the moment, this is something which is prone to change, with another strain in vogue sooner or later. He believes (-and I have to agree) that the Cheese reaches cannabinoid receptors that perhaps some others don’t, making it a little bit special.

As well as all the well-known brands, there were some less familiar ones. Only in Spannabis will you find a group of attractive ladies dressed as nuns promoting cannabis lube.

There were some excellent marketing tactics at work here, the ladies in nun suits draw people in, once you are in range they offer you a sample, then seconds later your lips are vibrating like goodness knows what as you giddily hand over your debit card. That was roughly what happened I think. That was Oh Hail Mary.

There were so many stands, so many people, so many seeds, so many bongs. We spent a couple of days going in and out of the venue and think we saw pretty much everything. Everybody we spoke to was friendly, relaxed and happy.  We saw no trouble whatsoever.

A visit to an extremely well-equipped cannabis club in town meant that we were OK for weed for the few days there, although there were some lovely people at the venue giving out actual buds here and there. Thanks for that.

Royal Queen Seeds definitely get the award for having the most ostentatious stand. A huge thing, which advertised their daily website visitors.

There was an amazing amount of freebies and such like being given out all over, and there were even a couple of dutch maidens wondering around with baskets of free rizlas.

We especially enjoyed visiting the Super Sativa Seed Club area, an old seedbank that has recently been brought back to life, it was great fun chatting with the guys there who had an awesome stand and some utterly gorgeous samples.

They have been preserving some very special genetics for over 20 years. Thanks to Bram from Dutch Passion for letting us know about them.

It was fantastic to meet the beautiful Mariana from Sweet Seeds in real life and also good talking with relative neighbours Pete from Original Sensible and Huan from Kannabia.

If only every single day could be like Spannabis.

Apparently, several CBD companies didn’t attend because of warning letters sent regarding the recent Spanish ban on CBD products. This is quite ridiculous considering that people were just openly smoking weed through the venue and surrounding area.

Check out this well put together video below from Barney’s Farm which nicely captures the essence of the event. Looking forward to next year already!

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