For most people that are using FECO for their dogs, the primary objective is to obtain direct anticancer effects. Thankfully, this is not the only benefit of FECO. Along the way, you may notice several other benefits that improve your dog’s overall quality of life. It is amazing how much FECO is capable of, and we hope that your dog will experience as many of these benefits as possible!
1. Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation, which is the activation of the immune system, is an important part of healing and helps prevent infections from getting out of control. However, excessive inflammation contributes to the development of many modern diseases, including cancer. Too much inflammation can also be associated with physical pain.
Research indicates that all the major compounds commonly found in FECO have anti-inflammatory effects, including THC, CBD, and CBG. For example, in an animal model of excessive insulin associated with Type 2 diabetes, THC was shown to have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. CBD and CBG were also shown in a different study to reduce inflammation. The terpenes present in FECO also are anti-inflammatory, with one review summarizing the effects of 12 terpenes against intestinal inflammation specifically.
2. Pain Relief
THC has been well-demonstrated to reduce pain, with preclinical research from May 2023 continuing to show new ways that THC delivers this benefit. In humans, low doses of THC have even been shown to help with neuropathic pain, one of the most difficult-to-treat types of pain. Unfortunately there is little research on THC’s benefits for dogs, but a 1974 study titled “Analgesic effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol in the dog” suggests it works against pain in dogs as well as humans (the full text is not available, apparently because it is so old).
More research has been done on CBD and dogs. A 2022 systematic review of randomized clinical trials described 3 studies that found CBD could significantly reduce pain and increase activity in dogs with osteoarthritis. This very high-quality evidence shows how valuable CBD can be as a pain reliever for dogs, while preclinical and human evidence suggests that THC may reduce pain even further when combined with CBD.
3. Improved Mood
Both THC and CBD have been shown to have anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. As with most research, it has primarily been conducted in cells, rodents, or humans, but one study from 2021 suggested that CBD may reduce aggressive behavior towards humans in shelter dogs. This effect would indicate an improvement in mood.
Beyond that, our Patient-Reported Outcome data shows that many dogs just feel better and happier when using THC and/or CBD. Like most effects of cannabis, the best results appear to be obtained when both THC and CBD are used.
4. More Appetite
Increased appetite is one of the most well-known effects of cannabis, and is so prominent that the term “munchies” was basically made to describe THC-induced hunger. Even people who have never used cannabis usually know about this property of cannabis. Research shows that THC can enhance appetite through the same mechanism it uses to produce psychoactivity. If your dog is having trouble eating, introducing small amounts of THC can be a great way to encourage them to start eating more again.
5. Reduced Nausea
Many dogs who are sick deal with nausea and vomiting. Years of research has shown that medical cannabis is effective for reducing nausea, with THC and CBD both possessing anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. FECO also often contains low amounts of the non-activated, unheated forms of THC and CBD, which are THCA and CBDA. A 2020 study found that even ultra-low doses of THCA and CBDA combined had powerful anti-nausea effects.
6. More Energy and Improved Movement
The combination of all these benefits can often give your dog more energy and enable them to get additional activity. Being happier and moving more often will improve your dog’s overall health and quality of life. With a better quality of life, they also have at least some additional chance of beating cancer as well.
Summary
The amount of research supporting the benefits of FECO is fascinating, and more studies are being released every day. You can rest assured knowing these benefits are backed up by hard research and real Patient-Reported Outcomes!