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The CBD revolution has seen a huge shift in the health and wellbeing communities. People all over the world are now seeking natural relief from their ailments.
Multiple research studies have shown that CBD can be used to provide relief for more than fifty conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and many other stress-related disorders.
Its properties can be beneficial for people of all ages. However, I want to focus on those most affected by severe medical conditions.
Let’s explore the amazing benefits of CBD for seniors and discuss the massive impact CBD can have on this group of individuals.
A Major Health Problem for Seniors… and America
In America today, more than 46 million people are 65 years old or older.
Some are happy to move into this stage; others do not recognize it. At the end of the day, it makes no difference―We all age.
That same truth leads to the conclusion that as we age, our bodies will become more susceptible to serious health issues, and many will be affected.
The sad truth is confirmed by leading institutions.
- According to Harvard Neurodiscovery Center
- 5 million senior citizens suffer from Alzheimer’s
- 1 million senior citizens suffer from Parkinson’s
- 300,000 senior citizens suffer from MS
- The CDC estimates that Arthritis affects 49.6% senior citizens.
- Mental Health America discovered that 27% senior citizens have severe anxiety disorders, which significantly affect their ability to function.
And these are just a few of the conditions that the older members of our population endure…
With America’s senior population projected to outnumber the minor population (under 18) by 2035, we need to think of a solution, Quick and easy.
CBD, or cannabis oil, could be the solution to keeping our seniors healthier and longer.
How CBD Can Help Seniors
CBD, which is short for Cannabidiol (or Cannabis), is one among over 60 cannabinoids in the Cannabis plant.
Like other cannabinoids, CBD can interact with receptors in our body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which research has shown is the catalyst behind the many effects of the Cannabis plant. It’s also why psychoactive cannabinoids, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol(THC), can have euphoric effects that can alter the mind.
Now, unlike THC―CBD is non-psychoactive. This means that it will not be psychoactive. Not to make the user feel highWhile still delivering the many health benefits of Cannabis,
CBD is uniquely positioned to improve the health and quality of life for seniors because these benefits align with the conditions commonly afflicted by seniors.
Keep reading to discover 7 Science Supported Benefits of CBD For Seniors!
CBD has 7 health benefits for seniors
1. CBD can help manage pain
First on our list, is CBD’s ability to alleviate a condition that nearly every senior deals with―pain and inflammation.
With nearly half of the senior population in the United States suffering from Arthritis and 75-85% of seniors suffering from chronic pain―this is unfortunately a common problem for most seniors in America.
It doesn’t have to be though.
CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in conditions like arthritis, joint pain, and multiple sclerosis (MS).
By activating various receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, experts have found that patients treated with CBD experience a “clinically significant reduction” in pain related symptoms with little to no adverse side effects.
CBD is a natural option to traditional pain medication and makes a strong case for senior caregivers and health care professionals.
2. CBD is good for your bones
Osteoporosis occurs when our bodies naturally age.
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bones lose vital minerals. They become more fragile and brittle and are more likely to break. If seniors fall, they can experience severe pain or fractures.
The number one cause for death among men over 60 is falls, with 33% and 25% of women and 25% of men aged 50 and older suffering from osteoporotic breaks. Bone health is a major concern for the elderly.
Research has shown that CBD, along with reducing inflammation and encouraging cell repair, can actually strengthen bones and promote healing if there is a fracture.
Although additional clinical trials are needed to confirm the viability of the application for mass consumption, the initial results look very promising.
3. CBD can improve the quality of your sleep
Although sleeping disorders such as insomnia can be suffered by anyone, they are more common in seniors.
Experts believe this shift in sleep patterns is due to aging, as well as the chemical imbalance that can be caused by prescription medications and medical conditions.
Seniors are at greatest risk from sleep deprivation.
Many seniors resort to sleeping pills to relieve their insomnia. Although these medications can temporarily relieve one problem, they can cause more long-term problems.
CBD is a natural way to promote better sleep for seniors by reducing stress and anxiety. CBD can be used to prevent the use and abuse of sleeping pills.
4. CBD can help with addiction
When people are afflicted by a health condition, society’s first solution is to prescribe medication.
Although this can temporarily relieve the condition, it is often difficult to do so because of the increasing doses required. This leads to more damage to your body and makes you dependent on medication.
By the time we figure out how damaging this is for our body, it’s too late. The body has already learned to use the medication.
With seniors suffering from a wide range of health conditions, you can bet they’ve been prescribed all kinds of medications. They eventually become dependent on medications to relieve their ailments.
Research has shown that CBD can be used to treat conditions that are often caused by harmful medications and can also help with the development of a dependency from those medications.
A 2018 study found that CBD can help prevent relapses and addiction. In the study, researchers found that after administering CBD once a day for seven days, patients no longer displayed “addictive behaviors” and it deterred the patient from relapsing for five months.
CBD can be used to treat withdrawal symptoms and other relapsing behavior in seniors who decide to give up harmful medication and switch to natural cannabis relief.
5. CBD can help improve your heart health
According to American College of Cardiology heart disease is the most common cause of death among older adults.
This is not surprising considering that more than half of American adults suffer from high blood pressure.
Recent research suggests that CBD could be an effective natural treatment for high blood pressure.
In a 2017 study, 10 men were given 600mg of CBD. The subjects had a lower resting blood sugar. In this same study, researchers also administered stress tests to determine the effects CBD had on the subject’s stress response and found that the subject’s exhibited a lower blood pressure increase than normal.
Research has shown that CBD can reduce blood pressure, as well as help with cardiac inflammation. It also prevents cell death due to oxidative stress.
The study’s researchers believed that the results would prove to be reliable. “strongly suggest that it [CBD] may have great therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic complications, and perhaps other cardiovascular disorders, by attenuating oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, cell death and fibrosis.”
CBD has the ability to lower blood pressure, prevent inflammation, and kill cells in the heart. It can also be used as a preventive measure for serious conditions.
6. CBD can help prevent neurodegenerative disorders
Because CBD can interact with receptors in our brain and central nervous system, experts believe CBD could be a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis.
While it’s still early to make a conclusive assessment, the studies below have shown some promising results
- 2007 study showing that CBD can reduce the neuro-inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s disease by attenuating Abeta evoked neuro-inflammatory responses
- 2015 study discussing how cannabinoids can reduce the agitation and aggression of Alzheimer’s disease
- 2014 study explains how CBD can be used to prevent the growth of social recognition
deficits associated with Alzheimer’s Disease
- 2012 study proving that CBD can reduce the progression of Multiple Sclerosis and relieve the spasms and pain caused by it.
- 2017 study examining the effectiveness of CBD in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and ALS
And the list goes on…
The findings of these studies clearly show that CBD is neuroprotective.
The evidence will grow as more clinical trials are completed. CBD could one day be the first treatment for seniors suffering from neurodegenerative disease.
7. CBD can increase mood and relieve mood-related disorders
While we all deal with mood swings, as we start to experience the major changes associated with getting older―like the decline of health, disabilities, or the loss of a loved one―these mood swings can often become greatly intensified.
If they last for too long, they can cause serious health problems. There is a high risk of developing a mental illness.
Based on numerous studies’ findings, CBD may be able to alleviate the symptoms.
CBD interacts with receptors that regulate mood, such as the Serotonin or Adenosine, to alleviate stress and calm the mind. It can also improve cognitive functions. Combining these three factors can significantly impact how your mind perceives the current situation and have an important effect on your mood.
While studies have shown that CBD can effectively alleviate mood-related disorders, the thing that seniors need more than anything is to know that they aren’t forgotten…
It’s probably not a comfortable situation to talk about, but we can often get so involved with our lives that we forget these special people. It can cause serious mental, psychological, and physical health problems.
We all try to make the most, but no one enjoys old age, especially if it is by themselves.
Whether it be your grandparent or parent―if there’s an older person in your life who you know could use some company, make the effort to spend some time with them. You will have some of the most special moments with them. It will also make a significant difference in their lives.
With that said, this concludes the list of CBD benefits for seniors. I hope you found this article useful and that it helped you to understand the many benefits of CBD. More so, I hope that it inspired you to help a senior in your life find relief for their condition, or (if you’re the senior) encouraged you to find relief for your condition with CBD.
Thanks so much for reading our article and don’t forget to always remember the seniors in your life.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, we’d love to engage with you! Feel free to leave a comment below, or contact us through any of our social networks.
This information can be shared as an infographic
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