Contents
1. Why the CBD Craze?2. What Is CBD Hemp Oil?
3. What Is a Liposome?
4. What Is Liposomal Delivery?
5. CBD Liposome Delivery for Cats and Dogs
6. Is It Legal?
7. Is It Safe?
8. What to Look for
1. Why the CBD Craze?
If you are a pet owner:
- Your dogs and cats suffer from pain or swelling—or perhaps you’d like to maintain their already good health
- You’re on the lookout for simple alternatives that steer away from ordinary pain meds and help with your furry friend’s condition quickly
You might be wondering what I’m talking about.
RELATED: CBD For Cats--Potential Benefits
Most likely, you’ve heard of CBD and the wonders it has done for your neighbor or work buddy’s depression and anxiety or even epilepsy.
It gets better:
There’s anecdotal evidence from pet owners that suggests the renowned cannabinoid can also control seizures and help provide pain relief for your pet as well.
Conclusive evidence is on the way, and numerous studies are undergoing that aim to gain hard scientific data on CBD use for pets.
Vets are now considering hemp CBD oil as an alternative treatment for cats and dogs, and benefits have already been noticed in controlling a vast array of conditions.
Here’s a peek at:
- the benefits that have been discovered so far
- the potential “Atlantis” of possibilities to be discovered around cat CBD in years to come
- what to look for when buying cat CBD
- the difference between liposomal and regular formulas
- what makes liposomal delivery so innovative and
- CBD safety concerns explained.
So, Why the CBD Craze?
In the past few years, several states—even countries—have legalized the medicinal and recreational use of cannabis.
With it comes a growing cloud of interest around potential health benefits amongst users, government regulators, the health industry, and other enterprises that aim to understand and capitalize on the substance’s perks.
Sure, this may sound commercial in a sense, but the reality is that it subsequently results in exploratory use—which has already shown positive turnouts—and official/documented research that provides evidential facts for said benefits.
RELATED: CBD is Everywhere! This is Why It's Popular
2. What Is CBD Hemp Oil, Exactly?
CBD is one of many components found in the cannabis plant (AKA marijuana). Cannabis plants come in thousands of varieties.
Regardless of which type we’re talking about, they all contain cannabinoids (and other constituents, such as terpenes)—which, contrary to popular belief, is not just a fancy name for cannabis components.
Cannabinoids are named after the cannabinoid receptors of the body and brain.
These are receptors that the cannabinoids we’ve known and heard of for years will ultimately join.
This means that yes, cannabinoids can also come from sources other than cannabis.
The plant just happens to have a ton of them—between 80 and 100 of them, to be exact. But that still doesn’t answer our question, does it?
Let’s cut to the chase:
Now that we are on the same page, the answer is quite simple, really. CBD is a cannabinoid.
However, contrary to THC, its party-happy cousin, CBD does not induce psychoactive effects.
It’s the second most prevalent active component in the plant and takes on a major role when it comes to medical treatments.
The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that:
“CBD exhibits no effects indicative of any abuse or dependence potential… there is no evidence of public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.” [3]
RELATED: Potential Benefits Of Using Pure CBD Oil
Important to know:
CBD is not found solely in the cannabis plant, but it is derived directly from the hemp plant.
Hemp is a type of plant with a low level of intoxicating substances, while the cannabis plant has a majority of THC (intoxicating).
Hence the growing popularity of the name: CBD hemp oil. Hemp CBD usually has less than 0.3% THC concentration, making it the “go-to” for most people, as this would guarantee the legality of the substance.
But not all CBD oils are created equal:
- Isolate: It contains only CBD. You could call this the purest of the bunch, and it contains no plant matter or grassy flavors.
- Full-spectrum: Contains all cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis.
- Broad-spectrum: Contains all cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis except for THC.
For a cat, you’ll most likely want to stick to the isolate kinds or to products with added flavor that will make it taste better for your pet.
Some brands like SOL*CBD have managed to tackle this by creating a liposomal CBD formula enhanced with salmon flavor, specially formulated for even the pickiest of cats.
The magic doesn’t stop there:
Not only are there three different types of cannabidiol extracts, but there are also different ways those extracts can be absorbed by the body.
That is where liposomal delivery comes in...
3. But First, What Is a Liposome?
In 1965, liposomes were first described as a model of cellular membranes.
Soon, science discovered a way to use liposomes as vehicles in the delivery process of substances to cells. In this case, they are vehicles for medicine and drugs.
“Liposomes are the most common and well-investigated nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery… Liposomes are defined as phospholipid vesicles consisting of one or more concentric lipid bilayers enclosing discrete aqueous spaces.” [5]
But what exactly does that mean?
Well, it means that liposomes, unlike other vesicles, can encapsulate large amounts of substances in these “aqueous spaces” and are fit to transport a diverse range of drugs.
On top of that:
- Liposomes have better biocompatibility in comparison to other delivery systems;
- they have the capacity for self-assembly; and
- they are composed of natural phospholipids, which make for minimal toxicity.
It doesn’t stop there:
Perhaps the most amazing advantage offered by liposomes is that their physicochemical and biophysical properties can be modified to target specific cells and tissues. This makes for a very effective delivery system.
4. What is Liposomal Delivery?
There are four key types of liposomes.
Briefly put:
Conventional liposomes proved to be rapidly eliminated from the bloodstream.
Sterically stabilized types have a longer duration in the bloodstream but may have a reduced ability to interact with the intended target.
Ligand-targeted liposomes are meant to interact with specifically selected cells or organs but have encountered hurdles along the way.
This leaves combined liposomes of all of the above platforms that last longer in the bloodstream and effectively target intended cells and tissue.
In a nutshell:
Using combined CBD liposomal delivery, the dose of the substance entering the body reaches the targeted cell faster and in a higher concentration grade.
If you’ve heard the word “bioavailability” and thought to yourself, “that’s confusing,” this is exactly what it means.
“Bioavailability is the fraction of the dose administered that reaches a systemic circulation unchanged. Sometimes, the bioavailability term is used to encompass both the rate and extent of absorption from the site of administration to the systemic circulation.” [6]
In other words:
A limited bioavailability poses an obstacle to total exposure to the substance being administered to the body—be it orally or intravenously.
The fact is, higher bioavailability is linked to increases in rate and extent of substance absorption.
CBD liposomal delivery has been proven to produce more effective bioavailability of hemp actives in comparison to other alternatives such as smoking or edibles.
Here’s the deal:
Liposomal delivery has been around for a long time in the medical field. But it’s only recently that the industry is tapping into its gigantic potential. (Click here to tweet)
This makes the way for innovative products like SOL*CBD’s hibiscus pure hemp extract that offers the strongest, fastest-acting liposomal CBD on the market, with better absorption than other liposomal “nano” knockoffs.
RELATED: The New Advanced Liposomal Formula Hibiscus Flavor
There’s also room for advancement in the pet sector. SOL*CBD offers an advanced liposomal CBD formula for pets that promises the same level of innovation found on its human formula relative.
5. CBD Liposome Delivery for Cats and Dogs
There has been a vast array of animal-based testing done to date.
Just recently, the first completed human study assessed the safety of CellG8®liposomal CBD after 30 days of continuous consumption.
View our product page and scroll down to see the Safety Study.
This resulted in improved blood measurements of the substance for some cases and is overall considered safe for human beings.
What about Cats?
As discussed at the beginning of this article, anecdotal evidence is probably the strongest case to argue in favor of safety for animals.
Early research has also given reasons to believe cat CBD has the potential to aid in the treatment of conditions like anxiety, arthritis, and seizures—much like it’s believed to do in human beings.
RELATED: CBD And Anxiety: What Does the Research Say?
As with every type of treatment, it’s recommended that you consult with your veterinarian before dosing your cat.
It’s important to understand that every animal has a unique biological composition; for instance, cats and dogs will likely need different doses and med specifications.
This means it’s very important to discuss with an expert.
6. Is It Legal?
As of now, the U.S. FDA has not approved licensed veterinarians to prescribe or recommend CBD use in pets in the country.
However, a bill has been passed in the state of California in July 2019 that authorizes vets to suggest cannabis-related products for medicinal use in animals. [8]
On the other hand:
Veterinarians can prescribe approved human drugs for animals according to The Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994 (AMDUCA).
However, this depends on whether the animal is suffering or its overall health is threatened.
In short, this means that a substance that has been rendered safe in human trials, such as liposomal CBD, can be prescribed under a specific set of conditions.
But this only covers things from the veterinarian’s point of view.
As a pet owner, it is legal to administer CBD to your pet as long as it is legal to buy for yourself, but it is highly recommended to do some research and talk to your vet before deciding to begin cat CBD treatment.
7. Is It Safe?
The short and official answer is we don’t know for certain yet since there are no approved uses of liposomal CBD for animals under federal law.
Nevertheless, there have been several animal-based case studies where liposomal CBD administration was proven to be tolerated and had positive results in condition control in dogs.
Not only that:
Anecdotal evidence and growing use in cats over the past decade have shown that it can potentially improve your animal’s health. (Click here to tweet.)
8. Cat CBD—What to Look For
-
Hemp-extracted CBD guarantees a low level of THC, or perhaps even none.
Hemp-extracted liposomal CBD is legal in all 50 states, so make sure to look for callouts such as “hemp supplement” or “pure hemp extract” on the product label. - Once you’ve found a hemp-derived supplement, look for the type of spectrum. You want to look for statements such as “full-spectrum hemp extract” or “isolate hemp extract.”
A full-spectrum extract could provide benefits that isolates don’t, but since you are looking for a product for your cat, you might want to look for a product with added flavor if you’re going with this option. -
Organically grown product seems to be the trend with every consumable on Earth.
Liposomal CBD is not the exception. You will want to look for statements such as “Made from Organic, USA-Grown Hemp” on the product label or other icons that indicate that the supplement was extracted from organic hemp.
Thus, it guarantees there are no harmful synthetic agents used in the growing process.
- We did not discuss the ins and outs of liposomal delivery just for the fun of it.
Liposomal CBD will quickly evolve to be a key feature in the cannabidiol industry. Look for tags like “liposomal hemp” or “rapidly dissolving” on the product label. - Third-party-tested products add trustworthiness. You might want to look for product label callouts like “peer-reviewed” or “backed by scientific publication.”
- It’s usually not found on the product label, but the extraction method can also be considered a decision variable. Since it’s typically not shown on the label, you might want to buy from a brand you trust and that shows professional integrity through other scientific backed callouts. You will want to look for cold-press extraction or superficial CO2 methods since they introduce no harmful agents to the extraction process.
RELATED: What Does "Full Spectrum CBD" Mean?
As mentioned before, it’s incredibly important to consult with your veterinarian before you begin a cat CBD treatment.
It’s even more important if your cat is taking other medication. This way, you can guarantee that the new supplements will not interact negatively with the medication.
Sources:
- Kriss, R. (2019, October 28). CBD Oil for Dogs: What You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/cbd-oil-dogs / https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/cbd-oil-cats-what-you-need-know
- Cannabinoids - Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2020, January 28). Retrieved from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cannabinoids / https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
- WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (2017). Cannabidiol (CBD) (Thirty-ninth Meeting). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf
- Gregoriadis, G. (2016, May 24). Liposomes in Drug Delivery: How It All Happened. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4932482 / https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/21691401.2014.953633
- Sercombe, L., Veerati, T., Moheimani, F., Wu, S. Y., Sood, A. K., & Hua, S. (2015, December 1). Advances and Challenges of Liposome Assisted Drug Delivery. Retrieved April 5, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4664963/
- Hebert, M. F. (2013). 3. In Clinical Pharmacology During Pregnancy (pp. 17–39). Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780123860071/clinical-pharmacology-during-pregnancy#book-info
- Galgiani, C. (2019, August 13). California Senate Bill 267. Retrieved April 5, 2020, from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB627
- California Senate Bill 627
