28 Dec

CBD for Seniors: A Complete Guide with 7 Benefits

12:45 pm

CBD for Seniors: is it beneficial?

CBD for Seniors: With a huge shift towards natural therapeutic remedies, CBD seems to be one of the biggest crazes among health-conscious communities. The impact it has on every segment of the population seems to be overwhelming. Even infants and small kids are being treated for epilepsy using CBD-based drugs. The youth and the kids are not the only ones to benefit from this miraculous compound. It is even being used by pregnant women for a safer, smoother, and healthier pregnancy. That’s not all, you’d have noticed an even wider range of CBD-based supplements for the pets in the market.

However, the segment of the population most vulnerable to various health issues is the elderly. Does CBD have anything to offer for this particularly weaker segment of society?

Health Issues Faced by Seniors

As we grow older, it is only natural to be exposed to a variety of health problems. Our bodies start aging and lose the strength needed against a number of ailments. According to the figures provided by the survey done by the Harvard Neurodiscovery Center, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and MS are very prevalent in the elderly. They are more prone to such problems than people from other age groups.

Besides, arthritis is another degenerative problem associated highly with the aging process. According to the CDC, an overwhelming 49.6% population of senior citizens is suffering from arthritis. These are to name just a few problems faced by senior citizens.

In order to ensure a healthy, smooth, and painless transition towards older age, the elderly are perhaps the most in need of healthful supplements. They need to provide for the depleting strength in their bones, the weakening cardiovascular muscles, degenerating nerve tissues, fading memory, and a number of other issues.

Can Elderly Benefit from CBD?

CBD; the short form of cannabidiol, is the craze of the day. The ongoing thorough research on this phytocannabinoid has revealed a huge potential for it to benefit the human body in innumerable ways.

The research shows that it benefits the human body by affecting the endocannabinoid system, ECS. This system is responsible for controlling a myriad of functions in the body. It works through a network of receptors throughout the body. The endocannabinoid receptors are sensitive to endocannabinoids i.e. body’s own cannabinoid compounds.

Sometimes, the ECS system becomes weaken and hence internal homeostasis is disturbed. It can have an impact on moods, cardiovascular health, nervous system, immune system, and much more. This also happens when the endocannabinoids produced by the body start dying too soon, a situation relatively common in elder people.

The phytocannabinoids like CBD when introduced into the body, activate the ECS system. They stimulate the ECS system to produce more cannabinoids. Moreover, they halt the degeneration of cells and prevent endocannabinoids from dying, thus prolonging their life span.

Keeping this in view, CBD is extremely beneficial for seniors. It helps prevent the degeneration of cells which is accompanied by the aging process.

Benefits of CBD for Seniors

One of the best things about CBD is that, unlike some other cannabinoids, like THC, it does not give you a stoned feeling. I.e. it does not create a high because it is non-psychoactive.

Moreover, instead of affecting the ECS system itself, CBD stimulates the system to produce its own endocannabinoids.

Besides, since ECS controls such a huge number of bodily functions, CBD has a profound impact on the same huge number of health areas for seniors.

Above all, it is found to be devoid of any serious, long-term side effects unlike conventional pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents.

Here are just a few ways among many in which seniors can benefit from CBD;

CBD is a Powerful Pain Reliever

Pain and inflammation are the conditions associated with old age much more than they are with any other age group. Studies show that as many as around 85% of American older citizens suffer from chronic pain. There can be a number of reasons behind it. The most common one of them being arthritis

However, clinical studies have shown promising results of CBD against chronic pain resulting from arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and joint pain. It helps reduce the inflammation and thus ease the pain

The thorough research suggests that the patients who are given CBD regularly experienced a considerable decrease in pain and inflammation.

Besides, unlike conventional pain killers, the users did not experience any long-term adverse effects. Hence, it makes sense why CBD is becoming a rapidly emerging alternative for conventional pain killers.

CBD Helps Improve the Sleep Patterns

Although sleeplessness is becoming increasingly common in people of every age, the elderly are more prone to such conditions as insomnia. Besides a biological change in sleep patterns, various underlying health conditions and mediation can cause it.

Sleeplessness can be a result of, and also a source of, serious health conditions. Lesser or poor sleep reduces the body’s ability to rid itself of the toxins.

To improve sleep patterns, seniors mostly turn towards sleep-inducing medications. Where they do provide a short-term solution for sleeplessness, they often cause long-term health issues.

CBD on the other hand helps solve the underlying problems. It reduces, stress, anxiety, and chemical imbalance. Thus it restores healthier body functions which automatically make you feel calm. The result is a significant improvement in sleep quality.

Also Read: CBD for Pets: 8 Benefits of CBD to Help Your Pets
cbd packaging store

CBD Prevents and Treats Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a degenerative problem most common in seniors. It is a condition whereby the bones lose their strength. They become prone to injury relatively easily because of becoming fragile. This leads to an increased incidence of breakage in bones. It accompanies chronic pain.

Studies show that CBD can not only prevent the weakening of bones but can actually reverse the effect of osteoporosis. It helps provide the lost strength to the bones and even aids the healing process if a fracture occurs.

These positive results of initial research have made CBD one of the most desired supplements against osteoporosis in the elderly.

CBD Enhances Cardiovascular Health

Besides, arthritis and osteoporosis, cardiovascular problems are other sources of health issues in the elderly. In fact, the study conducted by the American College of Cardiology suggests that cardiovascular problems are the topmost cause of death in seniors. This is because above 50% of seniors suffer from high blood pressure.

CBD-based products are found to have a profound effect on cardiovascular health. This is because these products can significantly reduce the instances of high blood pressure. A study conducted in 2017 showed that the patients who were given CBD experienced a reduction in resting blood pressure. And most importantly, the effects of this medication were long-term and without any side effects.

Moreover, since CBD is a strong antioxidant, it helps combat against inflammation of cardiac tissues. It also halts the death of cells resulting from cardiac inflammation. It has the capability of dilating the arteries and improves the overall health of the heart.

It Prevents Degeneration of Nerve Cells

CBD promotes a healthy nervous system and protects the nerve cells from degeneration resulting from aging. CBD has shown promising results against the most common of diseases of the nervous system i.e. Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis and, Parkinson’s Disease.

Although the studies relating to these issues are in the initial stages, one thing that can be said for sure is that CBD promotes the healthy functioning of the nervous system.

CBD Helps Against Mood Swings

CBD has a profound effect on the receptors controlling the mood in our bodies. The anxiety and depression resulting from the feeling of loneliness, neglect, and isolation can be reduced by using CBD supplements. CBD affects the receptors controlling the release of serotonin and adenosine. It helps improve a person’s cognitive abilities and enhances moods, reducing mood swings.

Read: Is CBD Legal in your state?
cbd packaging store

CBD Improves Appetite

Another common problem that increases with age is the loss of appetite. Unless the elderly keep eating healthful food, the problems associated with old age are bound to worsen.

CBD not only improves the appetite but also makes eating an enjoyable activity. It aids in maintaining a good appetite by enhancing the metabolic rate. It even helps in reducing ft. moreover, CBD-based supplements are found to improve appetite in those suffering from aids.

Conclusion

Aging can be a difficult and even painful process. No one of us wants to be old, but the truth is, it cannot be avoided. But what can be avoided is the pain and discomfort associated with the process. Although medication and supplements do have a profound effect on age-related problems, especially when it comes to CBD, there is no alternative to healthy relationships. Make sure, your elders are not alone and unloved as they approach the most weakening part of their lives’ journey.