Why Hemp CBD + CBDA?

There is any number of products available that have been developed to help pets, and it can be hard to decide which is going to help your pet the most and which is the safest. It comes down to those two criteria and often a pet owner has to make the difficult choice of help over safety. We are changing this, so pets and pet parents can have both safe and extraordinary results.

Hemp CBD + CBDA has made a profound impact on veterinary medicine in the past 5 years and has changed the way veterinarians and pet parents think about managing discomfort, stress, itching, cognition, tremors, and many other issues.

Becoming the first line of defense is what we at ElleVet have as a goal so that pets can receive the benefit and safety of hemp CBD + CBDA first, and not as a last-ditch effort. We have proven that our CBD + CBDA product works better than so many other, traditional options, and is extremely safe for pets. We hope ElleVet will soon become the first product that veterinarians reach for, and we believe our research and understanding of cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System will help us create better and better products for pets.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is an important system in the body of every mammal. The ECS is one of the largest receptor systems in the body. It functions both as an immunomodulatory and a neuromodulatory system and is essential for stress recovery as well as maintaining homeostasis in the body, or making sure everything is in balance. There is virtually no physiological or cognitive process that isn’t related in some manner to the ECS.

The ECS is composed of endogenous lipid-based signaling molecules which bind to cannabinoid receptors. The body has many important systems that appear to be affected by “endocannabinoid tone” with the most work being done at understanding the endocannabinoids in the central nervous system and the immune systems. Somehow, the endocannabinoid system was unknown, overlooked, and generally not a part of the medical or veterinary school curriculum due to a lack of research in clinical patients, which explains why healthcare providers have not taken advantage of the vital role cannabinoids play in maintaining balance in the body.

Simply put, whatever is out of balance, whether it be itching, an inflammatory response, discomfort, cognitive issues, the endocannabinoid system’s job is to address the imbalance and get back to normal. There is still much to be learned about the ECS and the full extent of its role, but understanding the function of the ECS is needed to understand how cannabinoids help to maintain a healthy body and mind. There are 3 parts to the ECS, which are endocannabinoids made by cells of the body, the receptors that these endocannabinoids bind to, and the enzymes that make and degrade these endocannabinoids in the body.

The Functions of the Endocannabinoid System

Perception of discomfort.

The body has a central nervous system and a peripheral nervous system which release excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters signaling discomfort, tremors, and spasticity. Often when imbalanced there is a preponderance of excitatory neurotransmitter release. The ECS is able to re-balance the release of these excitatory transmissions and therefore reduces the body’s responses. This is helpful to understand why certain conditions involving spasms respond favorably to cannabinoids.

Inflammatory response

The Endocannabinoid System is able to modulate the inflammatory response by downregulating the production of inflammatory proteins and chemotaxis of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages or mast cells (for example). Modulating the inflammatory response is important in controlling conditions from joint discomfort to allergic reactions, and countless other circumstances.

How do Cannabinoids work with the Endocannabinoid System?

Cannabinoid receptors are G coupled protein receptors found throughout the body and brain, and cannabinoids, particularly the exogenous hemp-derived cannabinoid THC will bind with and stimulate these receptors. The body produces its own cannabinoids, called endocannabinoids, which are the endogenous lipids, anandamide and 2-AG are the primary endocannabinoids Anandamide is also known as the bliss molecule, and these are ligands for the cannabinoid receptors and will activate the receptors in order to maintain tight control of bodily functions.

One example might be that when a body is overheated and sweating begins, that is the ECS regulating temperature. When phytocannabinoids, or cannabinoids from a plant such as hemp, are added, it is bringing in extra help to regulate and rein in whatever is out of balance by further activating the appropriate cannabinoid receptors. Interestingly, only the proper receptors are activated to address the specific issue, such as overheating, and other functions in the body are not subjected to overstimulation. This is helpful in understanding how CBD products such as ElleVet, can address multiple issues such as discomfort, stress, or cognitive issues.

Endocannabinoid System Receptors

ElleVet’s understanding of the mechanism of how CBD + CBDA interacts with the body is constantly expanding and deepening. This has led to new and groundbreaking understanding of the receptor systems involved, which are far more complex than previously thought, and do not involve the CB1 or CB2 receptors. As a whole, they are referred to as the endocannabinoidome. The activation of the endocannabinoidome protects the body from a wide variety of imbalances.

It has been proven that CBD may be an allosteric inhibitor of the CB1 and CB2 receptors but only at a concentration level that would not be achievable or relevant. Many receptor pharmacology studies have been performed and based on the serum concentrations that can be achieved it is very unlikely that these receptors play a role. There is a growing consensus that other receptor systems including transient receptor potential channels, serotonin receptor, g protein orphan receptors (GPR55), glycine receptor, peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptors and adenosine transport channels may play a far more significant role in the CBD and CBDA response that previously thought. Discomfort mitigation, the anti-inflammatory effect, overall sense of wellness, neuro support, anti-nausea and anti-vomiting are all regulated by CBD and CBDA interactions with these receptor systems and channels with CBDA having a key role, particularly in the anti-inflammatory and serotonin response.

Exactly what do these receptor systems do? It turns out that the receptor systems that are CBD or CBDA targets begin with the transient receptor potential channels, or TRP family of channels. This family of ion channels are affected by CBD because of the high affinity at concentrations that, based on channel pharmacology, are activated and desensitized at what we feel are pharmacologically achievable concentrations based on our pharmacokinetic studies.

These TRP receptors are important in the peripheral and central nervous systems for detecting discomfort stimuli and the binding of CBD + CBDA to these receptors activates and eventually desensitizes the channels thereby dampening sensation transmission and perception.

Other receptor groups such as the g protein orphan receptors (GPR), glycine, peroxisomal proliferation gamma (PPAR-g) and adenine receptor systems have historically been poorly studied but have been found to be influenced by CBD and CBDA. GPR55 and glycine are involved in neuronal signaling and depolarization, where GPR55 may regulate depolarization when activated by endogenous cannabinoids. CBD is an antagonist of this receptor. Conversely, when the glycine receptor is activated, it allows for repolarization due to an influx of chloride, causing hyperpolarization of the neuron, which supports physical comfort.

The PPAR-g receptor is an intracellular receptor that influences transcription and translation of genes that are usually involved in cytokine production in immune cells leading to global dampening of the inflammatory response in macrophages and histocytes.

As far as neurological issues, CBD and CBDA seem to interact at the adenosine receptor/equilibrate nucleotide transporter leading to alterations in glutamatergic signaling and calming neuronal excitability, thereby reducing neuro activity.

Finally, the 5HT1A receptor and the 5HT3A receptor, which are both serotonin receptors that are influenced by CBD as an agonist to promote both serotonergic stimulus and homeostasis around serotonin signaling, promoting a feeling of happiness and overall wellness. Interestingly CBDA has a higher affinity for these receptors and has been shown to be even more effective than CBD regarding nausea and appetite.

Lastly, there is also evidence that CBD and CBDA allow for inhibition of the enzymes that break down the natural ligands to CB1 and CB2 receptors. This may allow for higher synaptic concentrations of these natural ligands, therefore indirectly CBD and CBDA may influence CB1 and CB2 receptors through obtuse indirect mechanisms.

Enzymes

The third component of the ECS, along with endocannabinoids and receptors, are enzymes. Enzymes function to break down Anandamide and 2-AG so that overstimulation of the receptors does not occur, therefore assisting in maintaining balance. However, CBD or cannabidiol can inhibit anandamide breakdown by inhibiting the enzyme FAAH, or fatty acid amidohydrolase, which in turn can prolong and enhance its positive effects.

ECS Tone

ECS tone is essentially the baseline level of endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-AG) in the body and the density and functioning of the cannabinoid receptors. When an ECS is working optimally, the body is in a state of physical and emotional balance, and when it is overactive or underactive, and therefore out of balance, the body reacts accordingly.

An overactive ECS could manifest in inflammation, obesity, or diabetes. An underactive ECS can manifest as more severe IBS, migraines, or mood imbalance for example. Therefore the tone or the baseline state of health and balance of the ECS itself is a key to good health and wellbeing and has become a subject of great interest in terms of both addressing existing issues and boosting healthy “ECS tone” with a daily intake of cannabinoids.

Should CBD be taken daily for ECS Tone support?

In theory, taking CBD + CBDA daily would exercise the ECS and help create a healthy baseline or tone. Physical exercise and other positive lifestyle choices are thought to boost ECS tone and it would make sense that taking CBD daily would achieve the same type of effect.

Daily CBD as a prophylactic measure is gaining popularity as the idea of helping the ECS to prevent conditions before they manifest is appealing. It is an area of great potential although further research is needed to determine the efficacy of this approach and the appropriate dosing. Would putting a younger dog on a moderate dose of CBD + CBDA daily help to keep them happy and healthy longer? Many pet owners believe so and any young dog with stress or itching that uses CBD + CBDA already could see long-term benefits in other areas which is an exciting new avenue of exploration in veterinary medicine.

What are Terpenes?

Terpenes are compounds found in hemp along with cannabinoids. Terpenes are mainly known for their scent, as they are what causes the distinctive hemp smell, although they are also responsible for other scents like lavender, hops, citrus, or pine. However, terpenes contribute more to hemp than just smell. They have potent anti-inflammatory properties, calming properties and can aid in sleep, respiration, and many other areas, so they are an important part of a full spectrum CBD + CBDA product. A good product will have a robust terpene profile, and the terpenes and cannabinoids work together in a synergistic way called the entourage effect. The entourage effect is essentially that each individual part is enhanced by the sum of the parts. Some of the most abundant terpenes are

• Myrcene – the terpene usually present in the largest quantity, it is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is also volatile and care needs to be taken during the extraction process so that it doesn’t evaporate.
• Limonene – as the name indicated, it has a lemony smell and is often used in cleaning or cosmetic products. It is known for its calming properties.
• Alpha pinene – a pine tree smell and known for anti-inflammatory properties and for respiratory relief
• Beta-caryophyllene – a peppery smell, this terpene is known for anti-stress and anti-inflammatory properties
• Humulene – an earthy smell and is also found in hops. This is thought to aid in memory and memory retention.
• Linalool – this terpene is best known for its hemp smell and is also known for its calming and sedative properties

Terpenes are an important part of a good CBD + CBDA product and a strong smell, even if your pet might not appreciate it, can indicate a high-quality product. Currently, we have little evidence that the amounts found in CBD products have true clinical effects, but more importantly, besides the potential entourage effects, these terpenes act as natural anti-oxidants in our products to help with maintaining the long shelf life of our products.

This is how our CBD + CBDA works

Putting it all together, this is how ElleVet CBD + CBDA helps your pet:

There are complex explanations about the Endocannabinoid System, about the different components of the ECS and how your pet’s body responds to CBD, and many other scientific explanations regarding the use of CBD + CBDA. As a pet owner, what you really want to know is if CBD + CBDA is going to work for your pet, it is safe for your pet, and why it should be the product that you choose over all the other options.

When your senior pet is uncomfortable due to age-related joint issues, mental decline, and also has musculoskeletal problems like tremors you know your dog is uncomfortable and not experiencing a good quality of life. His endocannabinoid system is trying to address these issues and bring his body back to a state of comfort and balance but is unable to achieve this.

You go to your veterinarian to discuss options to make your pet comfortable and happy, and she might suggest several different products to address his multiple issues, which come with potentially serious side effects and may or may not work. Your veterinarian also suggests taking ElleVet full spectrum CBD + CBDA which has been proven safe and proven to work in clinical trials. You decide to give your pet our recommended dose. Immediately the CBD + CBDA activates the ECS receptors in his body and his ECS is now able to lessen the perception of discomfort, lessen the excitatory process that causes tremors, improve mental acuity, and able to down-regulate the inflammatory response so your pet feels much better. This all occurs so quickly that in a matter of 2-5 days you see a noticeable improvement in comfort, happiness, and overall quality of life without side effects.

It’s science, it’s not magic, and your dog is suddenly bounding up the stairs or brings an old toy out to play with that you have not seen in years. This is because we have spent nearly 5 years on research to make sure your dog is getting the optimal dose, proper frequency of administration, and combination of cannabinoids and terpenes to give your dog a happy and healthy life because we think all pets deserve the best.