Category: Featured

If you have ever used a cannabinoid therapy, such as CBD, for yourself, you may have also considered using it for your pet. If they have witnessed pain, stress, or discomfort, it is natural to search for a solution that may provide them with relief. As their caretakers, it is our responsibility to provide them with what they need in a way that is safe and effective. In some cases, cannabinoid therapy may be beneficial to them. 

The most popular form of cannabinoid therapy on the market is CBD tincture (oil). For dogs in particular, CBD has been researched to help with many conditions, including arthritis, anxiety, and seizure disorders. Due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapeutics of the CBD molecule, it may even enhance the recovery time and pain associated with sprains, fractures, and surgeries.

Just as with dogs, CBD may also ease the symptoms of ailments in cats, however, more research is needed to fully understand the benefit and absorption of the molecule that takes place. The fact that cats also have an endocannabinoid system, just as dogs and humans do, may suggest that plant cannabinoids, like CBD, may have therapeutic benefits.

The product you decide to purchase matters. You want to be sure it is a quality product you can trust and that it is consistent and sustainable. Once you have a CBD product for your pet, whether that be a tincture or a treat, it is critical to start with micro-dosing. This means that your pet could be starting off with mere drops of a tincture in a day.

Animals are more sensitive than humans in a number of ways. For example, dogs have been studied to show that the presence of cannabinoid receptors in the brain far exceeds those of humans. This explains why high levels of THC may be toxic for dogs, and further explains the importance of micro-dosing. The best analogy may be to relate THC to Theobromine – the toxic ingredient in chocolate for dogs and cats. Because they cannot metabolize this chemical in the way that humans can, they are more sensitive to the chemical effects as a heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and muscle relaxant. Theobromine is found in cocoa, therefore higher levels of cocoa in a product means it to be more toxic to pets. However, there are also low levels of Theobromine found in carob, which is a safe alternative and tolerable for both dogs and cats. 

When searching for products for your pet, you may find ones marketed specifically for dogs. These will likely be flavored to appease dog palates, of low concentration, and contain little to no THC. If the bottle is marked “full-spectrum”, that means all of the hundreds of cannabinoids of the cannabis plant are in the product, including THC, following the federal guidelines of equating to 0.3% or less. A bottle marked “broad spectrum” will contain all of the cannabinoids with the exception of THC. A CBD “isolate” will only consider the CBD cannabinoid. 

In short, when considering supplementing your pet’s diet with CBD; invest in a quality product, start low and go slow, and consult your veterinarian for medical concerns.

If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org. 

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

Things are changing in the CBD industry. Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) recently introduced the The Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2020, which helps legally regulate the sale of hemp-derived CBD products. This is significant for the hemp industry and consumers alike, as sales and quality of products will be greatly enhanced for the benefit of both consumers and farmers.

Since the start of the booming industry, CBD businesses have had to overcome many hurdles getting their products to the general market. The FDA was failing in legally regulating the sale of hemp-derived products, thus making it confusing and misleading. Because of this, prices have been decreasing, while quality of the products on the market varies across the spectrum with no regulation. Safety and consumer protection are of great concern in the CBD industry, and having this bill will create a standard of regulating products.

Presented on September 3rd, the bipartisan Schrader/Griffith bill ensures that hemp-derived/non-intoxicating hemp ingredients can be put in the market as dietary supplements. Using existing regulatory framework, this bill would require manufacturers to make sure products are safe, labeled accurately, and the companies are using Good Manufacturing Practices. Most notably, this bill would stabilize the hemp industry as a whole, going hand in hand with the 2018 Farm Bill. This would mean a huge boost in the agricultural sector.

This means more than just CBD manufacturers are excited. Dietary supplement organizations such as the American Herbal Products Association and the Council for Responsible Nutrition applaud the efforts of this bill as a necessary part of the supplement industry. For years, supplement organizations have been calling on congress to regulate CBD, as many consumers are looking for quality CBD products in the dietary supplement market. If passed, hemp-derived products in supplements would be deemed as “New Dietary Ingredients” or NDIs.

Though there is a buzz surrounding this new bill, the Schrader/Griffith bill hasn’t been passed yet. With grassroots efforts from the Hemp Roundtable, we hope this bill will pass with flying colors and help millions of people across the US. If interested in supporting the H.R. 8179 bill, please send a message to your representative through their call to action page. 

If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org.

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

November is Epilepsy Awareness Month, and we want to shine a light on the cannabinoid therapies that are showing promise with epilepsy diagnoses today. 

Epilepsy affects over 65 million people across the globe. Cannabinoid therapy is being widely researched and documented for its potential to bring seizure control and symptomatic relief to those affected; helping children and adults to live an enhanced quality of life. 

Studies Show Promising Results

Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological condition in the world. In December of 2017, a promising study put on by The Journal of Epilepsy Research found that cannabidiol (CBD) had a positive effect in reducing seizures. They stated the following, “In these studies, CBD was found to be superior to placebo in reducing the frequency of convulsive (tonic-clonic, tonic, clonic, and atonic) seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome, and the frequency of drop seizures in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). For the first time, there is now class 1 evidence that adjunctive use of CBD improves seizure control in patients with specific epilepsy syndromes.”

The research suggests that CBD interacts with the receptors in our brains in different ways to possibly prevent seizures from happening.

A Holistic Alternative

In 2017, a study was performed in which participants who found common medication ineffective tried CBD. The results showed that the median frequency of seizures decreased from 12.4 to 5.9 in the treatment group, while the placebo group showed a far less significant change from 14.9 to 14.1. CBD therapy was particularly effective with patients that were having seizures with convulsions.

Promise for Research

Approved by the FDA in 2018, EPIDIOLEX is a prescription CBD isolate, originally prescribed to pediatrics who suffer from Dravet Syndrome or LGS. To date, it has gone through several clinical trials, making it possible to understand more about CBD as a potential therapy to those affected by Epilepsy. These clinical studies, along with observational research, are furthering our knowledge and understanding of how CBD may help us and our loved ones achieve that quality of life.

If you would like to participate in our observational research registry with John Hopkins University, please go to realmofcaring.org/orr to access your baseline survey. This is completely valuable to researchers, providers, other clients, and caregivers to help make informed decisions about medical cannabis use.
If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org.

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

November is Epilepsy Awareness month, and whether you are only curious, just getting started, or in the midst of cannabinoid therapy for you or a loved one, the process can be an overwhelming addition to everything you already must endure. This is where we at the Realm of Caring step in. We want to help make this challenge easier to navigate, starting with, the five things to consider when starting cannabinoid therapy with epilepsy.

1.  There is clinical research to support the benefits

Among those communities looking for research to support utilizing cannabinoid therapy to potentially bring relief to symptoms, the epilepsy community is fortunate to have the human data that has been made available on cannabis.

Although evidence of cannabis to provide relief to seizure disorders dates back thousands of years, the first detailed modern study of the use of cannabis-based products for their anti-seizure benefits was published in 1843. In this study, W.B. O’Shaughnessy tested the behavioral effects in several mammals, fish, and birds. Among other subjects, the reported remarkable anti-seizure effects were witnessed among a 40-day old baby girl with recurrent convulsive seizures.

Despite plant cultivation of cannabis becoming illegal with the twentieth century, scientific advances continued as chemists and pharmacologists began diving into the chemical characterizations of the active ingredients and effects on biological activity. Many experimental studies have demonstrated that exogenous cannabinoids may prevent or modulate seizure activity; specifically with the exogenous, phytocannabinoids Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Since that first published study in 1843, many more exploratory studies have taken place to determine the efficacy of CBD with treatment-resistant epilepsy. From published observational data to open-label studies to well controlled randomized trials.

2. AED interactions

The first recommendation when utilizing both cannabinoid therapy and conventional pharmaceuticals for epileptic conditions is to space the administrations of the two at least 2-4 hours apart to avoid potential interactions. It is also recommended that serum AED levels and liver function tests (LFTs) be monitored closely for those choosing to incorporate CBD into an AED regimen. 

Assessment of data suggests that changes in serum levels of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) taken with CBD administration have been generally minor for the majority of AEDs tested. Sedation was a frequent result of AEDs administered with CBD. Researchers have concluded in studies that CBD in combination with pharmaceuticals may be well-tolerated, however, it should be taken into consideration that CBD is processed by the body’s cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) system. Therefore, it is best to consult with your doctor when co-administering CBD with drugs that are also metabolized by enzymes CYP3A4 or CYP2C19. 

3. Patience and the biphasic response

When starting out, it is important to keep in mind that administration may be made complicated by the non-linear response of cannabinoids. It is non-linear in that our response to cannabinoid administration forms a bell curve. This means that higher amounts do not always equate to more relief. In fact, we should be cautioned to assume that higher amounts of cannabinoids will yield enhanced therapeutic effects. What you may find is that higher amounts could exacerbate seizures and related symptoms. Therefore, it is recommended that if improvements begin to diminish, especially after an increase, that you consider reducing the amount as a potential strategy. 

This is why we abide by the “start low and go slow” method. This is a strategy that requires the difficult art of patience, but the goal is to find that optimal dose where relief is realized at the lowest possible amount. Every individual truly has their own, therefore we want to slowly work our way up (as needed) to the peak of that bell curve, or to the point where relief is realized.

4. Administration and extraction methods

CBD may be administered by a variety of methods. The first, and most commonly used, would be sublingual or buccal administration with an oil or tincture. Individuals also administer by capsule or tablet, through g or j tube, and rectally as a suppository. 

When considering a product to buy, for potentially higher efficacy it is suggested to look for full spectrum products rich in CBD. Full Spectrum products contain all of the natural compounds of the plant in the finished product. When the process to make the product is alcohol-extracted versus CO2 extracted it results in, potentially, an even more potent product to provide benefit. The Entourage Effect explains to us that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”; meaning that full spectrum may have an advantage to purified CBD in that the other plant compounds act synergistically with CBD to potentiate the anticonvulsant therapeutic effects.

5. You are not alone

Possibly the most important thing to consider is that you are not alone in this process. The Care Team at Realm of Caring as well as the community we have are here for you. There have been stories of success that we love to share with you through our client spotlights. We have individuals from all walks of life looking for relief from the suffering epilepsy can bring. We have spoken with individuals who are solely using cannabinoid therapy and those using both conventional medical treatments and cannabinoid therapy. We are here for your questions and we are here to support you.

We hope to continue this conversation all month long. Look for our weekly success stories and join us for an education webinar on epilepsy: 11/25 at 11am MT.

If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org/client-registration. 

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

Lisa of Care Team Chronicles interviews Trevon Ferguson, an athlete with High Five Foundation about his journey to hope and possibility.

If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org. 

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.

You can find gift giving guides for CBD products almost everywhere this time of year, and for a good reason. CBD may have a benefit to offer almost everyone on your holiday shopping checklist. However, before you start marking off that checklist, take a look through this one first. Here we have what you need to know before buying CBD gifts for the holidays. 

☑ The Quality of the Product Matters

Before you buy, make sure that this is a product company you can trust. One way to do that is look for the Realm of Caring official seal of approval. These are companies who have passed our in depth, quality control standards test. If you are looking at a company that is not on that list, you will want to vet them to make sure you are gifting a product of quality. Something to look for in this process, is making sure that they offer a third party lab test in the form of a certificate of analysis. This will tell you in more detail the cannabinoid profile as well as give you confirmation that the product has been tested and cleared for neurotoxins.  

☑ Consider the recipient 

Taking into consideration who you are buying for will help when it comes to deciding on the form of the CBD product and the cannabinoid profile of the product. Ask yourself: what would this person use? Sometimes this has to do with what benefit you are trying to help them seek but it also has to do with what that person will be comfortable using. If the recipient is new to CBD, they may initially be apprehensive to try something they will take orally. Easing into the benefits of CBD with a topical may be better suited. 

As well, thinking about the cannabinoid profile is important. A full-spectrum hemp product will contain trace amounts of THC. While taking low amounts in oral forms will not result in a head high, it is not for everyone; especially if their profession disallows it. 

☑ Check for economical sustainability

Chances are, you are looking to purchase CBD for a loved one because you believe they will benefit. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind the cost of the product you are buying. If this is something that they truly find benefit with and want to continue to use long term, you want to be sure it is affordable to them. It may help to compare products by breaking them down to cost per milligram of CBD. 

☑ Refund policy

We have all likely returned or exchanged a gift at least once in our lives. You wanting to purchase a CBD product for a loved one is indeed very thoughtful. However, it may be good to let the recipient know that if they wanted a different product than what they received, they will have the opportunity to exchange or return it. If a company truly stands by their product, then they should offer this benefit to you. 

☑ Know you have a resource to turn to

Along the way, whether you are looking for advice on what to buy or wanting to offer guidance to the person receiving your gift, we are here to help! Our care specialists can help that person in your life make sure they are getting the most out of beginning their CBD therapy. From how much to take to data-driven discussions; our services are always free, we are simply here to help. 

If you have any questions about this topic, a Realm of Caring Care Specialist is here to help. Call us at 719-347-5400 option 1, email us at info@realmofcaring.org, or visit our website and sign up for a free client account at www.realmofcaring.org/client-registration. 

Disclaimer

The Realm of Caring Foundation specifically invokes the first amendment rights of freedom of speech and of the press without prejudice. These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. the products discussed are not intended to diagnose, cure, prevent or treat any disease. Realm of Caring always recommends when and wherever possible that licensed local healthcare professionals be consulted.

The Realm of Caring Foundation is an independent nonprofit with its own governing board. We do not produce or sell cannabinoid products, nor do we receive funds from the sale of other company’s products.