There are many benefits to getting old, like more time to spend on hobbies or on the things you love doing, additional wisdom brought by the years of experience, and even spending happy moments with grandchildren. But these perks can be accompanied by many health-related issues such as arthritis, dementia, cancer, and new aches in different parts of the body.

Health is indeed wealth. To stay healthy as they can be, most seniors have a daily regimen of various medicinal drug prescriptions, with nearly 65.7% of senior citizens prescribed five or more medications. These prescriptions may have their health benefits but prescription drugs also often have significant side effects like fatigue, nausea, and migraines.

To improve the quality of life without the adverse side effects of medicinal drugs, many seniors are using natural remedies as an alternative that can relieve their symptoms without worrying about negative side effects. A popular option for this is CBD for seniors.

 

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the compounds seen in the cannabis plant. CBD is non-psychoactive and allows one to experience the therapeutic benefits of this compound without the "high" feeling that often goes with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 

The compounds of CBD are known to interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS). The focus of this system is to keep the body in a state of balance. It works with your bodily systems, such as the immune and digestive systems.

When taking CBD, you boost the body's ECS. This helps ease the symptoms of physical problems such as arthritis, inflamed joints, or injury to be treated and alleviated.

 

Common Health Concerns for Seniors

#1 Joint Pain

Healthline.com defines joint pain as a soreness, ache, and discomfort of any joints in the body. With arthritis being the most known joint pain that seniors experience.

According to Mayo Clinic, arthritis is the tenderness and swelling of one or more of your joints. The known symptoms of arthritis are joint stiffness and pain, which worsens as you age.

Arthritis Society states that this condition is one of Canada's most prevalent chronic health conditions, affecting 20% of the population, with nearly 1 in 2 seniors over 65 having arthritis.

How can CBD alleviate joint pain and arthritis? Dr. Bonni Goldstein, the Medical Director of Canna-Centers and the author of Cannabis Revealed, says that "CBD is a potent anti-inflammatory and can decrease joint pain in patients with arthritis and other conditions that cause joint inflammation." 

In addition to this, Dr. Paula Williams, a physician at Apollo Cannabis Clinics, states that our nervous system has pathways that use the body's cannabinoid receptors called CB1 and CB2. According to her, "Cannabinoids interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in various ways to increase natural pain relief."  

 

#2 Cancer

Cancer is known for its uncontrolled spread and growth of abnormal cells anywhere in the body. There are more than 100 types of cancers, but the most common types (colorectal, breast, prostate, and lung) make up 50% of cancer cases in Canada. In addition, over 20% of seniors report having been diagnosed with cancer.

CBD is identified to interact with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS), responsible for regulating bodily functions such as sleep, mood, and inflammation. Marissa C. Weiss, MD, the founder and director of Breastcancer.org, says that CBD helps the ECS reduce side effects of cancer treatment such as anxiety, pain, nausea, vomiting, and insomnia. 

In terms of cancer, Andrea Mathias Schmucki, MD, a former family physician who is being treated for metastatic breast cancer, says that "I look at CBD as complementary, using it in addition to, rather than as an alternative to, traditional treatment." 

 

#3 Depression

Depression is a known mental health disorder globally, with over 264 million people suffering from this illness. Depression is a condition where someone feels constant sadness and loss of interest and stopping a person from doing activities they usually do. It affects a person’s mind and feelings, thoughts, behaviour, and physical health. 

Depression can affect anyone at any age but is sometimes not recognized in older adults. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), it often goes unnoticed because some symptoms of depression can be mistaken for signs of ageing, and another because depressed older adults may not complain much about how they are feeling low. 

What is the role of CBD in alleviating symptoms of depression? Scientists reported that there is a link between depression and dysfunction in the ECS. One in many pathways, the endocannabinoid system helps neurons communicate with one another. TheHealthy.com states that there are "naturally occurring, or endogenous cannabinoids that play a role in that communication." CBD interacts with the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is lacking when one has depression.

When using CBD to alleviate symptoms of depression, Dr. Goldstein suggests that you should still use your medication as is and add the CBD. You should consult with your pharmacist or doctor to ensure that there are no drug interactions.

 

What Do the Experts Say?

Aside from the concerns mentioned above for seniors and how CBD can help, there are more benefits to using CBD. Dr. Junella Chin, a medical expert for cannabisMD and an osteopathic physician, says that another benefit of CBD is that it " tells your body to calm down and reminds you that you are safe."  CBD helps the nervous system from having a fight-or-flight response and helps you feel more relaxed. 

CBD is also commonly used for pain management, primarily on seniors experiencing chronic pain. According to Houman Danesh, MD, director of Integrative Management at Mount Sinai Hospital, CBD can help in alleviating nerve and musculoskeletal pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Aside from what the experts have said above, what other things must you consider when it comes to CBD, especially seniors?

Getting plant-based medicine does not have the same side effects as lab medicine. That is why it is essential to consult your doctor to determine which dosage and product fit you and your current condition. 

Also, when purchasing CBD products, you must first determine whether they have been third-party tested. This is where an independent organization has reviewed the manufacturing process of a particular product. You would not want to purchase a CBD product where the doses and ingredients in it are not accurate as it could affect your health in negative ways. Look for quality assurance stamps or a third-party analysis certificate to ensure the safety of the product.

 

Conclusion

With research and the advice of experts, CBD can be a part of treatment for health-related concerns in seniors. If using CBD for seniors, one should remember that it can be used along with your prescriptions.

CBD has a lot of potential benefits. It could aid in relieving symptoms of some health-related issues. Having a healthy diet and proper exercise are still essential to follow as we age.