Cannabis and CBD are becoming more and more prevalent in the world of health and medicine as more states pass laws allowing for medical and recreational use, but the use of these products can sometimes seem exclusive to younger generations.
So, those in the older age brackets miss out on the many benefits of the marijuana plant, which is a shame because the pros of using cannabis later in life are vast and should be considered by those who are having trouble finding solutions using modern medicine.
To understand some of the various uses, we reached out to those in the CBD and cannabis business to hear what they had to say about toking up at older ages.
Pain Relief
Let’s not kid ourselves, getting old is painful.
Gravity finally starts to take its toll on your joints and bones and, before you know it, you are dealing with chronic pain.
In fact, around half of the adult population suffers from arthritis, a condition that causes joints to become inflamed and cause pain.
“Consuming marijuana in any form or using it topically can help moderate the pain associated with arthritis or any condition that causes chronic pain by interacting with the body’s natural pain receptors.” – Brandon Sunny, CEO Royal Moon CBD.
Sleep Aid
Almost 50% of people over the age of 65 complain about difficulty falling asleep. As we age, getting deep sleep becomes more challenging.
When we are in periods of deep sleep, the brain and body enter a state of regeneration, making sleep a vital part of our health and wellness.
Marijuana can help extend the deep sleep phase.
“Older people are often prescribed sleep aids that come with all sorts of side effects and dependencies associated with them. CBD promotes calmness and relaxation which leads to a more regular and deeper sleep for some users.” – Ubaldo Perez, CEO of Hush.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Everyone worries about cognitive decline as they age. 55 million people currently live with dementia in the U.S with many of those people developing Alzheimer’s as a result.
While not exclusive to older people, currently 10% of seniors suffer from it.
The loss of neurons in different parts of the nervous system leads to a decline in cognition, but CBD is showing promising data for those suffering.
Research has been done across numerous studies that looked at how THC helped to slow the advancement of the protein that builds up in the brain and causes dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia is a very prevalent condition in the older community. It will likely never go away since normal aging is always going to cause some mental decline, but there is promising research that shows marijuana consumption helps to improve symptoms for those suffering while having very few adverse effects. It is worth checking out if you or someone you care about is suffering.” – Jesse Richardson, CEO, The Brother’s Apothecary.
Anxiety
Almost everyone suffers from at least some anxiety.
Studies have shown that cannabinol, one of the main chemicals in marijuana, can help treat anxiety along with several other mental health conditions including PTSD, OCD, depression, panic attacks, and social anxiety.
It’s able to do this by changing the way the brain responds to serotonin.
“Some people claim they get anxious when they are high, so obviously it is not a cure all for every single person, but there are even more people who say that they are able to navigate the world in a more subdued state when they use cannabis. It should also be noted that it is much less addictive than some of the medicines doctors prescribe for these conditions and cheaper and easier to acquire in some cases.” – Ari Sherman, Co-Founder, evo hemp.
Glaucoma
It’s almost cliché to mention marijuana as a treatment for glaucoma.
Everyone has made a joke out of using it as an excuse when caught high or in possession of marijuana, but it is genuinely one of the best tools you can use to fight the condition.
Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the sight of individuals by causing pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure, IOP). Cannabinoids have been shown to relieve pressure in the eyes by up to 25%.
“Eye drops are probably going to be the preferred method of treatment for those suffering from glaucoma because the amount of cannabis necessary to combat the pressure build-up is quite high, no pun intended. That being said, marijuana remains a temporary or alternative solution for those dealing with the condition on a daily basis.” – Sarah Pirrie, Brand Director, Healist Naturals.
Alternative to Prescription Medication
The US has a pill addiction. It’s no secret. Doctors love prescribing pills almost as much as we love taking them.
But pills come with tons of side effects, some of which can be worse than the conditions they claim to help fight.
CBD and cannabis have been shown to help alleviate some conditions that involve the use of opioids for treatment and can aid in combating a dependency on prescribed medicine.
There is also proof that CBD has the potential to fight relapses and manage withdrawals.
Marijuana, as evidenced by some of the benefits on this list, can help treat certain conditions safely and without the threat of addiction.
“The number of senior citizens prescribed drugs each year is growing nonstop. A big reason is due to the pharmaceutical companies and their massive lobbying groups that promote the effectiveness of their products. But some of these drugs can be dangerous to users and cause addiction, organ and tissue damage, and even death if not used correctly. Marijuana on the other hand has a low propensity for addiction and can help treat conditions without the unpleasant side effects that some prescription drugs cause. You should always talk to your doctor before trying cannabis, but if they say it can help your condition, it is definitely worth a shot.” – Chris Vaugh, CEO, Emjay.