CBD as a treatment for humans or in veterinary medicine is the subject of increasing numbers of studies.
Positive effects seem to be confirmed over time on various symptoms, diseases and behavioral disorders.
CBD binds to different receptors, particularly those of the endocanabinoid system.
The mechanisms of action have been demonstrated in the central and peripheral nervous system (1,2).
CBD also acts on CB2 receptors, mainly expressed on cells of the immune system.
The multiple locations of these receptors explain the relatively broad spectrum in terms of therapeutic potential to be explored.
Regarding veterinary medicine, publications are increasing (4).
Studies highlight a possible anxiolytic effect with an improvement in stress management (2,5,9) and pain (10).
Studies on possible toxicity of CBD have also been carried out, with very reassuring and favorable results, even at high doses (6).
Note that THC is toxic in animals, due to a particularly high number of CB1 receptors.
The benefit of CBD against canine epilepsy in one study demonstrates a significant reduction in the frequency of seizures (7,8).
Use to combat osteoarthritis and associated pain does not show any notable side effects (10).
In cancerous animals, a study showed the benefit of combining CBD with radiotherapy with a view to increasing survival time and improving quality of life (11).
Research on the effects of CBD, both in humans and animals, must obviously continue, to be able to consolidate the results on the hoped-for benefits.
The scope of action seems quite substantial and will perhaps improve well-being and the therapeutic arsenal available.
1.Inserm (dir.). Cannabis: What effects on behavior and health? Report. Paris: Les éditions Inserm, 2001, XII-429 p. - (Collective expertise). - http://hdl.handle.net/10608/171
2. Cannabidiol (CBD), Critical Review Report , Expert Committee on Drug Dependence, Fortieth Meeting, Geneva, 4-7 June 2018, World Health Organization
3.Sultan, SR et al., A systematic review and meta-analysis of the haemodynamic effects of Cannabidiol, Frontiers in pharmacology, 2017.
4. Trina Hazzah et al. , Cannabis in veterinary medicine: a critical review, AHVMA Journal, volume 61, winter 2020.
5.Mello Schier et al., Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an anxiolytic drug,https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-44462012000500008 , Rev. Arm. Psiquiatr. Vol.34 supl.1 São Paulo June 2012
6.Alan Chicoine et al. , Pharmacokinetic and Safety Evaluation of Various Oral Doses of a Novel 1:20 THC:CBD Cannabis Herbal Extract in Dogs, https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.583404 , Frontiers in Veterinary Science, September 29, 2020
7. Stephanie McGrath et al. , Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy, https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.11.1301 , Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 1, 2019, Vol.254, No. 11, Pages 1301-1308.
8.Felix K Gesell et al. , Alterations of endocannabinoids in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with epileptic seizure disorder, BMC Vet Res. 2013, 9: 262, published online 2013 Dec 26, doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-9-262
9. Blessing EM et al. , Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders, Neurotherapeutics, 2015; 12(4): 825-836.
10. LJ Gamble et al. , Pharmacokinetics, safety and clinical efficacy of cannabidiol treatment in osteoarthritic dogs, https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2018.00165 , Front. Vet. Sci., 23, July 2018
11. Yasmin-Karim et al. , Enhancing the Therapeutic Efficacy of Cancer Treatment With Cannabinoids, https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2018.00114 , Front. Oncol., April 24, 2018