Why are more and more elderly adults starting to use CBD?

CBD has caused a huge change in the health field over the past decade.

In areas where industrial hemp has been legalised, more and more seniors are starting to use medical marijuana and CBD products to help them with the many health issues that arise as they get older.

A survey published this year by The Hill (a Capitol Hill newspaper) showed that medical marijuana use by people over 65 has almost tripled in 10 years, from 11 per cent in 2009 to 32 per cent in 2019; and that more than 50 per cent of the population between the ages of 60 and 64 have used medical marijuana.

Forbes, on the other hand, released data from a health survey in September of this year showing that 49% of the thousands of participants randomly enrolled in the survey aged 58-76 were using CBD products, and 89% of those aged 77 and over were using CBD products.

CBD is increasingly sought after in legalised areas as a natural supplement that has shown better results in many health issues. So, what health issues can CBD help seniors with?

Arthritis is one of the leading causes of pain in older adults. Nearly 50 per cent of older adults in the United States have been diagnosed with arthritis by their doctors.

The serious side effects of pain medications have kept seniors at bay.CBD oil has become a new option for seniors as a natural supplement for pain relief. Numerous studies have shown that CBD helps control different types of pain, including fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain.

The human body's bone density tends to decline with age, making the elderly highly susceptible to osteoporosis and fractures.

Feedback from CBD users shows that CBD can promote bone healing and maintain healthy bones. A study by the Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University also proved that CBD may help strengthen bones and accelerate the healing of fractures.

Some studies, on the other hand, have shown that cannabinoids are able to interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors on bone tissue cells, gradually increasing bone health effects by stimulating bone growth and even helping to reverse bone loss.

Of course, more relevant research is needed to validate this conclusion. 

Insomnia is another reason why many seniors choose CBD.

Poor sleep can come from mental causes such as stress, anxiety, PTSD, and depression, or from physical causes such as pain and discomfort.

Regardless of the mental or physical reason, CBD works in most cases.

In one study, 47 people with anxiety disorders and 25 people with sleep disorders took 25mg of CBD every day for a month, and at the end of the experiment, 66.7 per cent and 79.2 per cent of the participants reported improved sleep and reduced anxiety.

Because of its ability to relieve different types of pain, CBD is a good option for insomnia caused by disorders such as anxiety and pain.

While overall, older adults are more satisfied with their lives than younger adults, major life changes, retirement, and chronic health issues can also send some older adults into anxiety, stress, and depression.

Anxiety and depression are often associated with lower serotonin levels, and CBD has been shown to alter serotonin signalling to bring this neurotransmitter, which is responsible for maintaining mental health, to normal levels.

CBD has been shown to work for all types of anxiety, including including generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

However, for severe chronic anxiety and depression, it is best to seek medical advice before using CBD for treatment.

As we age, the body is more likely to develop heart and cardiovascular disease.

Research has confirmed that CBD has a positive effect on cardiovascular health, strengthening the cardiovascular system and preventing blood vessel damage, thus extending life expectancy.

This is another important reason why many seniors choose to incorporate CBD into their daily routine. 

The probability of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia increases dramatically with age.

The onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia is caused by neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration, oxidative damage, and neuroinflammation, which all stem from adverse changes in the brain.

The neuroprotective properties of CBD allow older adults to protect themselves from all of these neurological disorders. They slow or stop the progression of these diseases by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in brain cells.

In addition to diseases of the elderly, CBD products in their various forms can also help relieve other health problems such as epilepsy, nausea, and pain.

And thanks to CBD's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used to alleviate a variety of skin problems, including acne.

Everyone inevitably ages, thankfully there is CBD.