While there are no CBD medications or supplements prescribed for seniors, CBD oil Canada may improve the quality of life for older people through its ability to help with conditions that commonly affect older people.
What is CBD oil and how does it work?
CBD is an active chemical compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD (full name: cannabidoil) is one of more than a hundred cannabinoids that scientists have discovered in the plant. CDB and THC are the two cannabinoids most people are familiar with. THC is the one that gives you a high when you smoke a joint.
CBD oil is made by extracting the compound from the flowers and stems of the plant and suspending the extract in a carrier oil. The competition in the CBD oil market is fierce, leading to loads of products by different manufacturers, so it can be confusing to know what product to buy.
Old age is synonymous with all sorts of aches and pains that very few people seem to escape. Let’s look at some of these conditions, how CBD oil Canada could possibly help, and if there is any scientific basis for CBD oil’s effect on these conditions.
1. Memory loss
Memory loss is a common complaint of older people (and many younger people too!). Wouldn’t it be great if you could take something to help with your tendency to always forget where you have put the front door keys?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the causes of major memory loss in older people. There is, to date, no cure for AD.The degeneration of the brain and brain functions are responsible for memory loss in AD patients.
In a 2017 study published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, lab studies showed that CBD has neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The study also showed that CBD can reverse cognitive deficits in rats. The scientist found that CBD seems to work better in combination with THC and concluded that the studies provide “proof of principle” that CBD, and possibly a combination of CBD and THC,could be used in new AD treatments.
2. Arthritis
Arthritis is a very common and often disabling chronic condition in older adults. The incidence of arthritis increases as people get older. In the US, the incidence of arthritis increases from about 24.3% in people 45 years old and older to 47.4% in people 65 and older. In Canada, arthritis is the most common chronic disease, with one in five people suffering from it.
CBD is not a cure for arthritis, but animal studies have suggested that it has strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Many people use CBD for their arthritis pain and report that it seems to reduce swelling and inflammation, bringing noticeable pain relief. But some people don’t experience any effects from CBD at all.
Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually prescribed for arthritis. These drugs have adverse long-term effects that could be avoided with CBD use. Scientists have found that CBD is well tolerated and seems to have no serious side effects.
3. Chronic pain
Common causes of chronic pain for older people are degenerative spine and arthritic conditions, neuropathic pain, pain in the arms, feet and legs due to poor blood circulation, and pain due to cancer as well as its treatment.
A 2020 reviewthat looked at the use of cannabidoil for chronic pain found a potential benefit in CBD use for chronic pain associated with many conditions.
Researchers found that CBD brought relief to patients suffering from ’’intractable pain due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, and limb amputation.’’ However, these were small studies and patients with Crohn’s disease didn’t experience any relief. Neither did people suffering from generalized chronic pain. However, these patients reported improvement in their quality of life and their sleep. The review also reports on CBD as a promising treatment for relief from peripheral neuropathy of the hips, legs and feet. They also make note of a 2020 New Zealand study that found that long-term treatment with CBD seems to be safe. The study participants reported that their pain and quality of life improved.
The majority of the studies that looked at the treatment ofchronic pain with CBD typically involved a combination of CBD and THC.
4. Sleep
It is notoriously difficult for older people to fall asleep and stay asleep. Instead of resorting to sleeping pills, which may have adverse effects, many people are trying CBD to help them sleep.
A systematic reviewof randomized and crossover studies of CBD treatment for a range of ailments found that high dosages of CBD may be useful for the treatment of insomnia.
CBD may also assist with sleep through its therapeutic effects in conditions that make sleep difficult, for instance, anxiety and chronic pain.
People who live with high levels of anxiety, which is not uncommon in older people, have high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol can cause difficulties in falling and staying asleep.One study found that cortisol levels dropped significantly with high dosages of CBD.
5. Appetite
It is common for cancer patients to have a poor appetite because cancer treatments can change the way food tastes and smells and also cause nausea that makes it difficult to face food. Research has found that CBD in combination with THC can improve appetite loss in cancer patients.
Many older people also experience a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss, muscle loss and general increased fragility. CBD may potentially also serve as anappetite stimulant for senior citizens.
Factors to take into account before considering CBD oil for an elderly person
- Studies have not proven beyond doubt that CBD is safe for older people.
- There are possible side effects, including drowsiness, dry mouth, and diarrhea.
- CBD has been shown to alter how the body metabolizes certain medications, so many seniors may not be able to go on CBD because of the medications they are already taking.
Final thoughts
In North America, many people 65 years and olderare using CBD oil Canada, and in Canada, the biggest rise in use is among older adults.Currently, there are no CBD products specifically for older people, and those who want to give it a try should keep in mind that CBD interacts with certain medications, so they should consult a medical practitioner to ensure that it’s safe for them to take.
