Cannabi-whats? This unknown system keeps your dog healthy!

Humans and mammals have a system of tiny transmitters and receivers in their bodies, which ensures that signals from cells go to the brain and vice versa. This way, the brain knows if something is wrong somewhere and can send helper substances or other cells to the right location to address a disturbance, intruder, or problem. This system is called, with a difficult word, the 'endocannabinoid system'. And no, this is not science fiction!

If you've never heard of the endocannabinoid system, that's not too strange. Scientists only discovered in the early 1990s that humans and mammals have an endocannabinoid system at all. This system restores balance in cells in cases of pain, inflammation, and disruptions to the immune system. Your dog also has an endocannabinoid system. It is important for many bodily processes. For example, in oxygen transport, the proper functioning of the nervous system, bone formation, the gastrointestinal system, and the regenerative capacity of the skin.

What are cannabinoids?

'Cannabinoids' are substances that are produced by the bodies of mammals as signaling molecules. There are also plant cannabinoids, which are found in plants such as cannabis and clove plants. CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two most well-known cannabinoids. But there are many more. Scientists have discovered about 130 different cannabinoids so far. These substances bind to special receptors in the bodies of mammals, and they act as switches. This sends a signal to the brain, which responds by sending out troops (chemical substances) to solve the problem indicated by the cell. Throughout the body, these substances perform certain tasks that all have the same goal: maintaining a stable equilibrium in the body despite fluctuations in the environment. For example, we produce cannabinoids when breastfeeding, when we get into a 'flow' during exercise, or when meditating. The endocannabinoid system provides homeostasis, or balance, in the body. Health problems arise when there is an imbalance.

Plant cannabinoids

The receptors in the body need cannabinoids to act as switches. Besides the mammalian endogenous cannabinoids, there are also plant cannabinoids. The beauty of this is that these plant versions can also perform signaling functions in mammals. So if there is a deficiency in endogenous cannabinoids, if the system does not function optimally, then people and dogs can also use signaling substances from plants to make their own systems function well! That's good news.

Supplementing with cannabinoids?

When a dog is healthy, its body produces enough signaling substances. However, stress or illness can disrupt this production. In such cases, your dog's resistance and resilience may be lower. It may be a good idea to support your dog's self-healing ability with plant cannabinoids. Plant cannabinoids can be supplemented for your dog in cases of:

• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Chronic stress or pain
• Skin problems
• Poor condition or reduced activity
• Inflammation, including joint inflammation such as arthritis
• Lethargy
• Digestive problems
• Low immunity
• Stiff muscles

Hemp or clove

Cannabinoids can be extracted from the cannabis plant and the clove plant. There are various subspecies of both plants. You have the cannabis plant and the hemp plant. The difference is that hemp does not contain THC, the compound that makes you high. There are also various subspecies of the clove plant. However, clove plants never contain THC. Moreover, for the effectiveness of a cannabinoid supplement, it is important that it contains multiple different cannabinoids. Cloves contain many different cannabinoids. A clove supplement is often more concentrated than hemp oil. Cloves contain a range of powerful cannabinoids, such as β-caryophyllene (BCP). A cannabinoid supplement is not a drug but a powerful tool to improve your dog's own healing power and resistance. The more different kinds of cannabinoids, the more effective it is.

Clove for your dog?

The conclusion? Yes, your dog also has such a complicated endocannabinoid system. When his resistance is low, in cases of arthritis or anxiety and stress, plant cannabinoids in a clove supplement can help your dog achieve better balance. His immune system gets a boost, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and your dog will feel physically and mentally better. Sources

Calignano A, La Rana G, Giuffrida A, Piomelli D. Nature. Control of pain initiation by endogenous cannabinoids. 1998 Jul 16;394(6690):277-81. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9685157

Gamble L-J, Boesch JM, Frye CW, Schwark WS, Mann S, Wolfe L, Brown H, Berthelsen ES and Wakshlag JJ (2018) Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front. Vet. Sci. 5:165. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00165 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165/full

Malfait AM, Gallily R, Sumariwalla PF, et al. The nonpsychoactive cannabis constituent cannabidiol is an oral anti-arthritic therapeutic in murine collagen-induced arthritis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000;97(17):9561–9566. doi:10.1073/pnas.160105897 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC16904/

Klein TW. 2005. Cannabinoid-based drugs as anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Nat Rev Immunol. 2005 May;5(5):400-11. https://greenwaytherapeutix.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2005-Klein-Nature-Publishing-Group-Cannabinoid-based-drugs-as-anti-inflammatory-therapeutics-.pdf