Endocannabinoid System in Pets

Endocannabinoid System in Pets

Humans have gone millennia without knowing our own bodies contained an endocannabinoid system, also known as ECS. The naturally occurring endocannabinoids in our bodies went undiscovered until the 1990s. Since then, research into the ECS has skyrocketed. Much has been learned from this fascinating research into the benefits of the ECS and how CBD can bolster its effects.

Despite all this progressive research, there is very little media coverage, resulting in low public knowledge of the endocannabinoid system. Most people don’t realize they have all these chemicals and receptors in their bodies, let alone in their pets’ bodies. That’s right; your furry friend has an ECS just like you. In order to understand exactly how your pet’s ECS works, let’s start with discovering how your ECS works.

Endocannabinoid vs. Cannabinoid

Cannabinoids can be any of the many naturally occurring chemicals found in certain strains of hemp plants, including CBD. Endocannabinoids, on the other hand, are cannabinoids made by your body. It’s important to note that your body naturally produces these endocannabinoids regardless of whether cannabis has been consumed. This is a natural process that occurs in your body every day.

Endocannabinoid is short for endogenous (meaning, made internally) cannabinoid. The reason being for this long name is because the cannabinoids in plants were discovered before the cannabinoid receptors within our bodies were ever known to have existed.

Endocannabinoids Further Explained

Your body produces two types of endocannabinoids, anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). Scientists, William Devane and Lumír Hanušdoes, discovered anandamide in the 1990s. The name anandamide coagmes from the Sanskrit word, ananda, meaning bliss or happiness. Your body does not store these molecules as it does for the many other chemicals. Instead, your body produces these chemicals when and where your body needs it. The endocannabinoids relay a message which is received by endocannabinoid receptors.

Endocannabinoid Receptors

Your body is full of endocannabinoid receptors. These receptors are located in many areas of the body, meaning they all do a different job. However, these receptors can’t do anything without an endocannabinoid. Think of the endocannabinoid as a messenger pigeon and the receptor as the message receiver. That pigeon has a message, and it has been diligently trained to bring that message to only one person. Once the receptor has received its message, it can proceed to make cellular changes specific to that area of the body.

Breaking Down The Endocannabinoids

As mentioned, endocannabinoids are not stored, so they don’t stick around for the long haul. In fact, they don’t stick around long at all. Once the endocannabinoid has served its purpose, enzymes break down the endocannabinoid. There are two enzymes responsible for this, fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which breaks down anandamide, and monoacylglycerol acid lipase, which breaks down 2-AG. This process is so quick that it is nearly impossible to know how many endocannabinoids are active in a person’s body at any given time.

How Does The ECS Work For My Pet?

All animals except for insects have an endocannabinoid system; this includes your cats and dogs. Everything you have just read about your own ECS can be applied directly to your pet. So, now that you have this information, how can you use it to improve the well-being and comfort of your furry friend?

Introducing CBD To Your Pet’s ECS

CBD is a cannabinoid found in several hemp plants. When introduced to the ECS, CBD acts similarly to endocannabinoids but chooses to play by its own rules. Rather than connect directly to a receptor, CBD is transferred by fatty acid-binding proteins directly into cells. From these cells, CBD can then modulate receptors, much like a captain taking charge of a ship.

You may find yourself scratching your head and asking, how is this helpful to my pet? As mentioned earlier, endocannabinoid receptors are located throughout the body and have different functions depending on their location. Read on to discover the many forms in which CBD (often administered as an oil) can enhance your pet’s life.

A Final Note

This info is not meant to diagnose, treat or prevent any illness. We always insist that you consult your veterinarian before starting any herbal products or supplements for your pets.  

Visit our pet friendly CBD store in Mesa AZ. We have plenty of CBD and Non-CBD Wellness products for people and pets. https://celestialstem.com

Browse our products online, my personal favorite has to be our CBD pet products. https://celestialstem.com/pets/

You can also visit our CBD Shop in Mesa, AZ. or one of our farmers market in Gilbert or Queen Creek.

Here are a couple other great resources.

https://www.healthline.com/health/endocannabinoid-system-2#how-it-works

https://blog.hyasynthbio.com/the-very-very-basic-ins-and-outs-of-the-endocannabinoid-system-ac39e5876066