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With the growing number of countries legalizing marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use, new products are being tailored specifically to the aging population. One such product, which comes in many forms, is cannabidiol, or CBD. CBD is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana and can be administered in a number of ways, such as: B. as steam oil, cream, tincture or edibles. In layman's terms, CBD delivers all of the benefits of marijuana without getting the user high. The positive effects of CBD can be especially welcome for seniors.
Many seniors are unaware of how medical cannabis can improve their quality of life and how stereotypical marijuana use and consumption has changed. Because CBD is extracted from the marijuana plant, seniors can reap the medicinal benefits of the extract without the head or body sensation often associated with marijuana. Seniors also have the option of adding CBD to their bodies in a form that is more familiar to them than inhaling smoke. CBD is an oil extract and can therefore z. B. gels for external use, tinctures and edible products can be added.
In many cases, these cannabis derivatives can reduce or even replace the use of harmful and addictive prescription drugs. While this information is only now making its way into the mainstream, the natural consequence is seniors drop their prejudices, face reality, and turn to cannabis to treat their mild and severe age-related illnesses.
Here are several reasons why CBD should become a staple part of every senior's health routine as they get older.
pain relief
It has long been known that cannabis works as well, perhaps better, than prescription drugs for pain relief. For example, clinical studies have shown that marijuana is very effective in relieving arthritis and nerve pain. Handcrafted, boutique style medicated creams are the effective remedy for various muscle and joint aches and pains.
Also read: Does CBD Help With Period Pain?
Bone health
Cannabis could be a huge need for the elderly when it comes to bone fragility. According to one study, cannabis use can help heal broken bones and support healthier bones. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis can be very useful for patients with multiple sclerosis.
Calming effect
Although CBD is known for its calming effects on elderly users, it promotes feelings of energy and counteracts sluggishness. That's because CBD flowers strengthens the cells in the human body and contributes to complete regeneration.
In addition, CBD is an antioxidant that promotes a feeling of alertness, which can be disturbed by the presence of free radicals. One study shows that cannabidiol has stronger antioxidant properties than vitamin C and vitamin E.
Fight the glaucoma
There is a growing body of research showing a link between cannabis and glaucoma treatment. That Glaucoma, a neurodegenerative disease (the breakdown of neurons in the process of communication between the brain and body), affects people's eyesight by increasing pressure in the eye called intraocular pressure (IoP). For decades, there has been evidence that cannabinoids can lower intraocular pressure by up to 25%, but the dose required to inhale full-THC cannabis poses a risk for some patients. However, due to the symptoms that accompany glaucoma, CBD works as a pain reliever well and can have the added benefit of lowering the pressure.
Insomnia and sleep problems
The older we get, the more difficult it becomes to achieve sustained periods of deep sleep. During the deep sleep phases, our brain regenerates and is freed from toxins that the body has produced itself. Therefore, the quality of sleep is also of immense importance in order to prevent age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or glaucoma. Often the elderly are prescribed sleeping pills, which have a high potential for dependence and a variety of unpleasant side effects. CBD can help to lengthen the deep sleep phase and reduce the lighter sleep phases.
Alternative to prescription drugs
The number of seniors taking prescription drugs every day is increasing unnecessarily and continuously each year. Pharmaceutical companies provide our government with one of the largest lobby groups in the country to promote the effectiveness and stability of their products. However, prescription drugs can be extremely dangerous for their users, leading to organ damage, tissue damage, addiction, and even death.
In comparison, marijuana is a safe alternative to prescription drugs because it has fewer side effects and is less addictive. This benefit is compounded by CBD and has even been used to combat addiction to prescription drugs. No marijuana-related deaths or overdoses have been documented.
Stimulates appetite
A common, dangerous health risk in the elderly is loss of appetite, which leads to weight loss, tissue weakness, and mental health problems. While marijuana has been researched extensively and has been shown to improve consumers' appetites, CBD has also been shown to be a good appetite stimulant, making it helpful for seniors.
Alzheimer's and dementia
A new trend that is being researched is whether marijuana can prevent the onset of Alzheimer's disease. According to several studies, cannabinoids, and therefore CBD, can help eliminate a toxic protein associated with this disease. This is triggered by a decrease in inflammation in the brain and the regeneration of damaged cells.
Although the potential benefits of consuming CBD are well documented, it is recommended that you always consult a doctor when ingesting any substance. Also, know that marijuana or CBD is illegal to use and possess in some states.
Anxiety
CBD could have the potential to help manage anxiety. Researchers believe it could change the way the brain's receptors respond to serotonin, which is closely related to mental health outcomes. In one study, people suffering from social anxiety found it easier to give a speech with the help of CBD. In addition, animal studies have shown that CBD reduces the level of anxiety. CBD can promote stress relief and reduce the physiological effects of anxiety, such as: B. an increased heart rate.
Neurodegenerative Disorders
CBD could be a very promising product in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. Loss of neurons in different parts of the nervous system leads to a corresponding decline in cognitive and motor functions; these conditions like Parkinson's, dementia, and stroke cause the brain and nerves to deteriorate over time. Researchers are actively studying brain receptors to see how CBD could help.
We discussed how CBD can reduce inflammation. Because inflammation can worsen neurodegenerative symptoms, CBD can also promote brain health through this mechanism. Keep your eyes peeled for further study on the subject. CBD could become a useful tool in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.
Mental health and mood disorders
As people get older, they go through big changes as they get older. Health tends to worsen, and people are more likely to experience loss and grief. In addition, social isolation, depression, and loneliness can all play roles in deteriorating mental health. CBD has been shown to help with these and other related problems. CBD can interact with brain receptors that are involved in mood regulation. CBD can promote stress relief, mindfulness, and the improvement of cognitive functions. This powerful combination can greatly add to the way the mind perceives its situation, while improving mood at the same time.
sleep quality
Sleep problems and insomnia are a challenge for many people, and older adults are no exception. This can be caused by changes in sleep patterns with age. In addition, illnesses and prescribed medication make the situation even more difficult.
Prescription sleep medication can be effective. However, their ingestion is fraught with long-term problems. They can lead to dependency and addiction, and even deteriorate the quality of sleep over time.
CBD can help promote calm and relaxation. Better quality sleep can be the bottom line. This can be a natural route to more regular and better sleep for older adults. It can also reduce the need to take prescription sleeping pills.
heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the elderly. One of the main causes of heart disease is high blood pressure. CBD has shown great promise as an alternative and natural treatment for high blood pressure. In a recent study, CBD was found to lower blood pressure at rest in study participants; In addition, the researchers carried out stress tests and found that the participants in the study had a positive stress response. Another study suggests that the antioxidant properties of CBD can help reduce heart inflammation and prevent the death of its cells from oxidative stress.
Treatment of cancer
CBD can help alleviate cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. In fact, CBD has shown a reduction in tumor growth in animals. It can even help the body absorb drugs better or make them more effective.
In this context, CBD can have a positive effect on inflammation and change the way cells can multiply. CBD may also be able to stunt the growth of some types of tumor cells and curb their ability to multiply efficiently.
