CBD Oil
Is it safe to use?

Trying to research CBD is a very long and slow process, and if you are like me you will fall down more than one rabbit hole of research information, general information and very confusing technical information that I am not even sure I was looking at the right way around!

So this article about CBD is very general, not at all scientific and covers basic facts about CBD. Any information given here is to be taken as a basic introduction to what CBD oil is and not a guide for its use.

- Anyone scientific that is able and willing to add more factual information to this article, please raise a paw.

CBD – what is it?
CBD is a cannabinoid compound that is naturally found in the hemp plant. Another na
for hemp is cannabis.

How does it work?
Cannabinoid compounds can influence the natural endocannabinoids (ECS) in our bodies, which is part of our natural nervous system that controls various tissue and organs. The true role of the endocannabinoids is not fully understood, but scientists have been able to study and understand some of its roles.

Will I get high using it?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol is the chemical in cannabis that makes you high. CBD oil has the THC removed during the process to extract the oil. Some growers have managed to create cannabis plants that do not have THC at all, making them easier to produce for medicinal use.

Some studies showed CBD can cause a grapefruit effect. The grapefruit effect was first discovered in 1991 when grapefruit juice (and later other citrus juice) was found to slow down the body’s ability to absorb medicine which meant the medicine did not absorb correctly and, in some cases, caused overdose toxicity.


Is CBD oil legal to give to dogs (or other animals) in the UK?
Scientists know that dogs have a lot more ECS in their brain and nervous system than humans. Unfortunately there is no information or research to understand if there are short or long term effects.

Currently CBD products are not authorised in the UK for veterinary use.
As there are currently no CBD products authorised in the UK for veterinary use, a veterinary surgeon may prescribe a legally obtained human CBD product under the provisions of the prescribing cascade.
Administration of an unauthorised product containing CBD without a veterinary prescription is an offence under Regulation 8 of the VMR. Companies supplying CBD products for human use in line with the requirements of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency must not indicate or recommend their products for use on animals.

What is the prescribing cascade?
The prescribing cascade is a case by case decision by the veterinarian, who could prescribe products when there are no legal alternatives available. As the prescribing veterinary surgeon, they would be personally responsible for the choice, so is never taken lightly. This will also involve plenty of paperwork for the human to sign for consent etc