CBD for Seniors

In the 21st century, the cannabis industry is one of the fastest-growing industries. As people grow aware of the various benefits, they can accrue from substances such as cannabidiol, the taboo around it breaks. Not only has CBD been legalized in several regions alone, but it has also been legalized in most states of the U.S. alone.

CBD can be beneficial for your health in several ways. Furthermore, most of its benefits are such which will help the elderly a lot more. As compared to pharmaceutical medication, CBD for seniors is an entirely organic way to treat your ailments. Simultaneously, it is also a comparatively cheaper alternative, becoming more and more accessible as new CBD vendors spring up and brands are launched.

This article will tackle any queries you might have about CBD for seniors. From discussing its accessibility for a senior and the various health issues it can help an older adult with, you will find the answers to all of your questions in this article.

What is CBD?

The cannabis plant consists of over 100 chemical compounds called cannabinoids, and CBD is one of those compounds. While all of these compounds are structurally similar to the endocannabinoids of our body, the effects of cannabinoids, which can be used individually, may differ, such as with CBD and CBN.

CBD works by acting on the cannabinoid receptors of your endocannabinoid system. This system is tasked with maintaining your body’s balance by working with the other systems of your body, for instance, your immune system or your peripheral nervous system. Consequently, this system is one that keeps your mobility, inflammation, mood, and appetite, etc., in a conducive range. CBD boosts the internal number of your endocannabinoids, which then helps restore balance by functioning as CBD for arthritis pain or a case of stress.

Alongside CBD’s many uses; it is also available in multiple forms. The three types of CBD include; Isolate, Full Spectrum, and Broad Spectrum CBD products, which are as follows;

Isolate CBD

Isolate CBD is regarded as the purest form of CBD. It is made by pulling it from its natural environment and removing all other ingredients. This means that CBD isolate does not contain any compounds from any other plant. It is usually acquired from hemp plants and does not contain THC, CBN, CBG or any other cannabinoid or terpene. While it has a lower demand than full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products, many older people still benefit from CBD isolate, and it may have fewer interactions. Always speak with your doctor.

Full-Spectrum CBD

As the name suggests, full-spectrum CBD consists of all phytochemicals naturally found in the cannabis plant, including CBD, terpenes, cannabinoids, and essential oils. Simultaneously, unlike the isolate CBD, full spectrum CBD does contain tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, although always in amounts less than 0.3% as per legal regulations in most places (this low does has no psychoactive effects – it can’t make you high). The active compounds in Full Spectrum work in synergy to enhance the health benefits of every cannabinoid. This concept is referred to as the ‘entourage effect.’

Broad Spectrum CBD

Broad spectrum CBD falls in the middle of the road. Although it contains all of the compounds in the cannabis plant, it doesn’t contain THC. The THC is removed right after the initial extraction of the CBD. However, broad spectrum CBD can still produce the ‘entourage effect,’ as it contains multiple cannabinoids.

Is CBD Safe for Seniors?

We can’t stress enough how important it is for seniors to speak to their doctor before beginning a new dietary supplement such as CBD. The following information outlines the general research and anecdotal evidence. Your unique situation should be monitored by your doctor.

One of the biggest concerns people generally have when trying out new health-based products is whether the products are safe. This concern is amplified in the case of the elderly, as their bodies are a lot more susceptible to side effects or harm caused by faulty medicinal products, ass well as drug interactions.

As far as CBD composition itself is concerned, it is entirely safe for seniors to use. It doesn’t contain any harmful components. However, to buy completely natural CBD for seniors, there are several considerations you should think about.

The Product is Authentic and Tested for Safety

In the U.S.A., at least, the FDA and DEA have pushed for several regulations to make CBD use safer. Consequently, the most known CBD brands will always have their products tested by an independent lab for contaminants and THC and make the test results public for all of their consumers to see.  This is called a COA and should be available on the sales page of the product. While it is not a requirement, most trustworthy brands do this. Apart from checking the test results of these brands, seniors should always go through the product’s ingredients and get some information about their origin. If the product uses synthetic CBD, it may contain harmful substances.

Pay Attention to Your Intake

While dosing your CBD intake properly is vital for everyone, it is imperative to talk about dosing CBD for specifically for seniors. When it comes to CBD intake, the rule of thumb should always be to start as small as you can and work your way up to a higher dose. This rule becomes even more critical for the elderly. Even if effects don’t show with a small amount, you can gradually increase the quantity to the sweet spot.

As far as the ideal dosage is concerned, it varies according to your weight, tolerance, experience, and many more. However, the main determining factor is weight, which is why the recommended dosage range for a 100lbs weight is 1-60mg, 11-66mg for 110lbs, and it keeps increasing to even 27-162 mg for 270lbs. For most of us, beginning with 25mg is safe and effective.

Find a Manufacturer with U.S-grown CBD

Industrial hemp in the U.S. contains a THC percentage of less than 0.3%, which means it would be legal everywhere. Simultaneously, most reputed manufacturers in the U.S. also use CO2 extraction processes, which will meet a senior’s safety standards.

Will CBD Make Me High?

A common question that people have, especially the newbies in the cannabis market, is regarding the psychoactive properties of cannabis. People often want to know whether or not CBD will make you high. The answer to that question, however, is a resounding, ‘No.’

The component of CBD which has psychoactive properties and makes you high is THC. In every place where CBD is legal, at least in the U.S., there is a limit to how much THC is allowed in CBD. For instance, in most states, the limit is 0.3%, which is not enough to have any psychoactive effects on someone. When it comes to CBD for seniors, this is a significant concern, and their worries will be alleviated once they know that most reputable brands make their THC test results public, so people know the count is below the set amount.

Common Health Issues for the Elderly and How CBD Might Help

There comes an age where health issues arise no matter how healthy of a life you have lived. Whether it be in the form of aches all over your body or memory loss/dementia, CBD can be of great help with several ailments that make the lives of millions of seniors difficult across the globe. Some of the conditions CBD can aid you with are as follows;

Pain and Anxiety Management

Pain, whether it be due to weak bones or something like arthritis, is perhaps the most common ailment amongst the elderly. Over half of American seniors have reported being ridden with one form of chronic pain or the other. In this case, CBD for seniors or CBD for arthritis and pain can be of great help. According to studies, CBD has proven to be very useful in alleviating chronic inflammation and neuropathic pain in rats. Consumer experience reports show you a similar effect in humans as many people have declared CBD their savior from chronic pain. Apart from a direct impact on pain, CBD also improves how your brain perceives and responds to pain.

Apart from pain relief, CBD is also known for its effects as an anxiety reliever. Research conducted at Kyoto University Japan found that people who took CBD had their social anxiety significantly alleviated. Anxiety is a big problem amongst seniors, especially women going through menopause, as anxiety and mood swings are common during that time. It hasn’t been a long time since people have discovered the various uses of CBD for menopause. The combination of THC and CBD is known to help with the anxiety women feel during this time. Simultaneously it is a good idea to use CBD for pain relief since you may encounter discomfort from arthritis or other ailments during such a time.

Insomnia Relief from CBD

The concept of a goodnight’s sleep is a myth for many seniors as the neurons that regulate your sleep often die off in old age. Apart from that, stress and menopause are also big reasons why insomnia is shared amongst the elderly. Deep sleep and REM sleep are both vital to stay healthy cognitively and physically. People who are suffering from insomnia either sleep poorly or encounter a disturbed sleep which makes getting deep sleep impossible.

When it comes to such an issue, CBD is a great potential solution. When people consume CBD, they feel a general sense of relaxation, which can be the sweet spot for many seniors to sleep soundly. Apart from that, if the cause of the insomnia is related to anxiety, pain, or mood swings from menopause, CBD can nip the problem in the bud. As far as disturbed sleep is concerned, however, CBD helps regularize your sleep patterns, helps with sleep apnea, and keeps you stay energized during the day to prevent an onset of day-drowsiness.

Help with Multiple Sclerosis and Healthy Bones

The chances of you being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, increase between the ages of 20 and 50. Although scientific advances have led to a greater life expectancy when diagnosed, the quality of life is still low. CBD can not only help with M.S., but it can improve your bone health in general. CBD can counter the antispasmodic effects of M.S., and it can make your bones stronger and healthier.

Can Fight Glaucoma

Recent studies and research have shown a link between cannabis and glaucoma, which is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the sense of sight. Due to this disease, the intraocular pressure or IoP of the eye is increased significantly. Cannabinoids such as CBD have been reported to reduce the IoP by up to 25%. However, the current research involves concentrated THC cannabis, which is a downside. CBD itself can still help you fight off the pain which accompanies glaucoma and relieve a bit of the pressure as well.

Helps with Alzheimer’s and Dementia

When it comes to severe illnesses, Alzheimer’s and dementia are scary propositions for seniors. Recent studies and animal testing have shown that CBD can treat symptoms of dementia, just like anxiety. Simultaneously, other studies also show that cannabinoids and, consequently, CBD can tackle the disease’s toxic protein. It does this by reducing inflammation and helping cells regenerate.

Revitalization of The Body

CBD has strong antioxidant properties. CBD makes the cells in the body stronger and allows for complete regeneration. Simultaneously, some studies show that CBD has even more potent antioxidant properties than Vitamin C and Vitamin E. For a senior, a detox is critical as they are at a point in their life where their energy levels are generally shallow. During this time, CBD’s energizing effect can be very beneficial for them.

Promotes Healthy Eating Habits

At an old age, it gets increasingly difficult for seniors to build up an appetite to eat. There can be many reasons for this, from mental health reasons such as depression or stress to physically not being hungry. In either case, however, it is a dangerous health hazard for them. If seniors don’t eat properly, they can encounter weight loss, weakness, which leads to body aches, and a host of other physical and mental problems. CBD has proven to be an excellent appetite enhancer. Even women who are losing their appetite during menopause can also benefit from this.

Improves Quality of Life Even During Illnesses

While CBD cannot cure or treat diseases such as Parkinson’s or cancer, it can significantly improve better your life quality during your treatment. As far as cancer is concerned, chemotherapy is the most effective treatment currently available. However, nausea and vomiting caused by it can be so severe that up to 50% of senior cancer patients quit chemo because of it. CBD can not only help with the nausea-related symptoms of cancer but also the pain that accompanies it. Regarding diseases such as Parkinson’s, a daily dose of CBD has been reported to significantly better the quality of life of patients who haven’t yet developed morbid psychiatric conditions. 

Where Should Seniors Get CBD From?

The market has become so saturated that seniors have countless options to choose from. The cannabis industry has grown to the extent that you can even find hemp products at gas stations. However, buying from these places is never a good idea as the authenticity of the products you get here is questionable. While some unscrupulous companies counterfeit the plant extract, others fill up the packaging of reputable brands with their own synthetic CBD.

This is why the best place to buy cannabidiol from is reputable brands online. Not only is this more accessible as a senior wouldn’t have to travel and browse products from one place to another, but it is also safer. This is because most reputable brands post all the information you need to know directly on their website.

What if I Take Medication? Can I Still Take CBD?

There is no answer to this question you can find online. This is because each medicine affects your body differently, so each medicine would be interacting with CBD differently. We suggest speaking with your doctor to determine if CBD is right for you.

Conclusion

Conclusively, although the cannabis market has grown in large part due to the influence of youth, it has a host of benefits for the elderly. While it may seem daunting at first, after making a few considerations, it is not that difficult for seniors to shop for CBD and find just what they are looking for.