Since there's a lot of talk now about hemp oils rich in phytocannabinoids (PCR), we thought it was important to tell you 11 facts about taking it and how it can help your pets in many different ways.
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Hemp is not psychoactive
Since hemp oil comes from cannabis or hemp plants, it is common for people to think that it is psychoactive, or, in other words, causes a high. But it's not true! The real culprit is THC, which is another cannabinoid found in Cannabis.
For legal reasons, most hemp oils are derived from hemp plants with extremely low or no THC levels.
This means you can safely give it to your dogs without getting them high, but they will still be able to benefit from the many medical benefits of Cannabis.
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Hemp provides pain relief
Hemp's ability to provide pain relief is another reason it has quickly risen to popularity. As with many common health problems, hemp targets pain, regardless of the source.
From easing nerve pain to dramatically reducing inflammation, hemp is an incredible means of relief for those suffering from chronic pain, from mild to severe.
This makes it perfect for older dogs who are struggling with pain and stiffness, as well as younger dogs who like to be rough around other dogs and end up overdoing it.
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Hemp Fights Cancer
You may have heard the claim from cannabis advocates that Marijuana can help fight cancer , and there is indeed some truth to that. Another fascinating thing is that it doesn't help in just one way.
PCR hemp oils have been shown to stop cancer cells where they are and help provide relief from many of the negative side effects caused by the most common cancer treatments.
Cancer is never a fun topic to talk about, but with PCR hemp oil we may have finally found another great and necessary tool to fight it.
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Hemp Oil Reduces Anxiety
Many people who suffer from anxiety use hemp oil to dramatically reduce anxiety and stress. Dogs are a lot like us and deal with anxiety that can come from a variety of different sources.
Whether it's loud noises, separation from the owner, etc., many dog parents find that PCR hemp oil can calm their dog's stress and anxiety.
From public speaking to anxiety to even post-traumatic stress, hemp has been shown to reduce humans' "fight or flight" responses, allowing them to live normally. Hemp works on all mammals the same way, so expect to see great results.
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Hemp Oil Prevents Epileptic Attacks
One of the major medical issues that brought PCR hemp oil to the public's attention was its ability to help reduce or completely stop seizures in both adults and children suffering from epilepsy .
Like humans, dogs also suffer from epilepsy, and it is estimated that around 5% of our fur balls are affected.
Epilepsy medicines, such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide, are very strong and harmful to the liver and other organs over time.
Sometimes dogs have to take such high doses that it affects their personality, or, even worse, the drugs end up having no effect at all.
Some studies on hemp oil and its reduction of epileptic events are shocking. In one study , PCR hemp oil was given to eight patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsies. 7 out of 8 patients noticed positive results following the intake of hemp.
These results have been substantiated by other studies, with one survey showing that 84% of children noticed a reduction in seizures when taking cannabis oil for their treatment-resistant epilepsy.
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Hemp Oil and Nausea
Older dogs often slow down their eating habits, and it's difficult to watch your best friend of several years grow thinner and thinner.
PCR hemp oil helps increase appetite, and reduces vomiting and nausea . It also reduces nausea caused by other drugs, which is another reason why more cancer patients are taking it.
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Hemp Can Protect the Nervous System
Cell death is a common problem that older dogs often face, and it is caused by free radicals and toxins in the body. Hemp has been shown to protect the brain from cell death and may help prevent Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, to name a few.
Free radicals are oxygen atoms that the body splits into single atoms, and they have unpaired electrons; it is these that can cause damage to cells, proteins and DNA.
PCR hemp oil is an incredible antioxidant, and has been shown to have more and better results than vitamins C and E, making it fantastic for protecting against those pesky free radicals.
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Hemp Oil Not Only Prevents IBD, But Restores Normal Intestinal Motility
Yes, you read that right. An animal study showed that hemp oils could prevent inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) . But if your dog already suffers from it, prevention won't do him much good.
What's great about hemp oil is that it also has antibiotic properties and can restore normal intestinal motility in IBD sufferers.
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Hemp Oil and Cardiovascular Health
Through his medical practices, veterinarian Edward Bassinghtwaighte has seen numerous examples where PCR hemp oil has helped dogs, from shrinking their tumors to even improving a heart murmur in one lucky Jack Russell Terrier.
Dr. Bassinghtwaighte's findings have been supported by numerous studies, and he strongly supports the use of hemp oil for cardiovascular health . Hemp reduces the damage caused by damaged blood vessels and even protects them.
But it doesn't stop there: hemp oil can also lower high blood pressure and elevated heart rate, in both humans and dogs.
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Hemp Oil Reduces Inflammation and Helps with Autoimmune Diseases
Sometimes the threats that leave you and your dog's health reeling don't come from the outside.
Autoimmune disease is a catch-all term for a broad list of illnesses that occur when an organism's immune system accidentally starts attacking itself, instead of turning to external threats such as bacteria.
This happens in all mammals, and often causes bad inflammation, among other health problems.
In several studies, PCR hemp oil has been shown to help with inflammation , by reducing the production and release of inflammatory cytokine.
Inflammatory cytokines are signaling molecules that are released by immune cells and help increase and reinforce inflammation, which is not necessarily a bad thing.
M1 macrophages are incredibly important pro-inflammatory cells that “eat” bacteria and debris, and then signal M2 macrophages to release anti-inflammatory cytokines that repress the M1 cells before they get out of control.
You guessed it, sometimes M1 macrophages actually go out of control and start targeting the host's body, and this causes chronic inflammation.
CBD always seems to realign and balance naturally, and studies have shown that it can correct the balance between M1 and M2 macrophages.
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Hemp Oil is Legal and Proven Safe
Hemp oil has been shown to be completely safe and has no known limit beyond which it is no longer safe, although heavy doses could lead to sedative effects.
Hemp-derived hemp oil is also completely legal, and you'll want to make sure it's derived from hemp, not cannabis. PCR hemp oil derived from hemp contains no THC, which is great because THC, in large doses, is toxic to dogs.
