CBD is one of the most exciting new nutraceutical areas currently being pioneered to improve human and pet health. But can the hopes and dreams be realised?
Purported benefits
While both come from the cannabis plant, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) elicits psychoactive effects whereas cannabidiol (CBD) is a primary compound that may have health-promoting effects. The purported benefits of CBD in humans – such as modifying anxiety and depression, countering age-related cognitive decline and attenuating tumour development – hold much promise, but still need to be proven in pets.
Effects in pets
CBD pharmacokinetics (movement within the body) has recently been studied in dogs. A look at multiple CBD-related metabolites in dogs indicates that the acidified form of CBD is more efficiently absorbed than CBD. Other research indicates that a daily dose of CBD for osteoarthritic dogs increased their comfort and activity. It has also been shown to decrease seizure frequency in epileptic seizure-prone dogs.
In contrast, a lower dose of CBD indicated no effect in a fear-based model with canines. At similar administration levels as dogs, cats display head-shaking and paw-licking indicating that they may be more sensitive to CBD.
The proliferation of hemp-based pet supplements is most likely due to consumers’ associations with CBD. However, CBD comes from the flowering portion of the hemp plant, which means that typical hemp ingredients such as hemp protein and hemp seed oil contain only trivial levels of it.
Regulatory challenges
The use of CBD itself faces many regulatory challenges. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently published a statement of caution suggesting openness to future research but severely limiting what is currently permissible in commerce.
In the pet industry, CBD incorporation will probably develop fastest in supplement products since consumers are more likely to perceive these as unique and distinguished from pet food products. Furthermore, supplement products are clearly labelled to identify active ingredients such as CBD. Even so, consumer access to CBD-enriched supplements will be restricted mostly to retail outlets willing to navigate the regulatory environment. Meanwhile, CBD is unlikely to be widely incorporated into pet food products without regulatory changes.
Exciting future
Current scientific literature portrays an exciting future for CBD. One scientific evaluation of a mouse model of gut colitis indicated reduced inflammation via changes in gut microbes achieved by a combination of CBD and fish oil, compared to no effect by either CBD or fish oil when given separately. Another study using a rodent experimental model of multiple sclerosis demonstrated benefits of CBD on neuromuscular disorders, likewise via effects on gut microbes.
Opportunities for innovation
Will CBD live up to its purported benefits? Despite its illicit reputation, well-controlled scientific studies are rapidly promoting a more objective and scientific understanding of CBD. Navigating the regulatory environment will be challenging but represents exciting opportunities for innovation. Given the amount of research effort coupled with the increasing speed of innovation, we will likely see more commercial pet products containing CBD in the future.
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