CBD can provide relief for people of all ages, but there are several perks specifically for seniors! Learn about the key benefits of CBD for seniors.
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As we age, our health and wellness needs change. Luckily, CBD can help you ease some of those age-related changes and keep you feeling your best. So, if you’re thinking CBD is something only younger people can benefit from, you’re really missing out!
This amazing non-psychoactive compound can provide relief for people of all ages. Plus, by using CBD oil, you can fine-tune your dose to fit your exact needs. Keep reading to learn about seven important benefits of CBD for seniors.
Disclaimer: We want to take a moment and remind everyone that while CBD is considered a safe and mild supplement, you should always talk with your doctor before adding CBD into your regimen. While side-effects are rare and usually mild, it’s better to err on the side of caution. This goes double for anyone taking any prescriptions, as CBD can interact with some medications.
CBD May Help Relieve Chronic Pain and Inflammation
If you haven’t developed any chronic aches and pains, consider yourself lucky! According to NIH Pain Consortium, roughly 65% of adults over the age of 65 report experiencing pain, and almost 30% report experiencing chronic pain. Basically, a lot of seniors are dealing with aches and pains on a daily basis. CBD, however, can help reduce those aches and pains in two ways.
First, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory. While inflammation is completely normal, too much of it can cause a world of problems. On top of that, the immune system (which controls inflammation) can have a harder time regulating itself as we age. This can lead to chronic inflammation which you might notice as swollen joints, back pain, brain fog, and more.
The ECS (endocannabinoid system), which CBD works through to influence the immune system, has receptors throughout your entire body. So, when you supplement with CBD, you’re giving the ECS more tools with which to reduce inflammation.
Not only that, but CBD may actually balance the neurotransmitters that influence pain perception. The theory is that CBD actually reduces the messages in your brain which communicate pain signals. Basically, it means less pain and more manageable day to day activities.
For added relief, combine your regular CBD regimen with a CBD topical as well. The CBD oil will help balance inflammation from the inside-out, while the topical can give you relief exactly where you need it.
CBD May Slow Down Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, which literally means porous bones, is a painful reality for many seniors. Younger bodies efficiently absorb and replace bone tissue. However, due to age, lifestyle, and sometimes even genetics, our bodies aren’t as capable of maintaining strong bones. What’s even scarier is that sometimes, you won’t even know you have this condition until you experience a bone fracture.
One of the reasons why CBD may be beneficial for those suffering from osteoporosis is that there are cannabinoid receptors in bone tissue. The idea is that by supplementing with CBD, you can boost the activity and amount of osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells).
While more research is needed to definitively state that CBD can heal osteoporosis, there’s very strong evidence that it can at least slow down the progression of osteoporosis. That means the sooner you start supplementing with CBD Oil, the better.
CBD May Help Improve Your Heart Health
Not only are the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD great for chronic pain, but they may also help improve your heart health as well. This is great news considering that your risk of heart disease increases with age.
One of the leading causes of heart disease is high blood pressure, but more and more research indicates that CBD may provide relief there as well. In 2017, an experiment with a group of healthy individuals showed that after experiencing a controlled stressful stimulus, CBD was able to effectively lower their blood pressure. Those that were given a placebo didn’t experience those same positive results.
CBD also has antioxidant properties, which means less damage from free radicals. The research on this topic is still in its infancy, however, so if you already suffer from heart-related illnesses make sure to discuss any new supplements with your doctor.
CBD May Slow the Progression of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative disorders involve the loss of neuron function in the central nervous system. That could mean memory and language problems, loss of concentration and focus, muscle coordination, and more. Honestly, they’re a pretty scary group of disorders that can have a huge impact on your quality of life. If these diseases are caught early enough, treatment can make life more manageable, but there is no known cure.
Considering that the biggest risk factor for these disorders is age, seniors need to pay special attention to any early signs that may indicate neurodegenerative diseases. While CBD cannot cure or heal the damage from these disorders, it does have neuroprotective properties that may slow down their progression.
The theory so far is that, because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, CBD may protect against further neurological damage. Plus, in any of these disorders which include muscle spasticity (stiffness and/or muscle spasms), full-spectrum CBD Oil may help reduce pain and sleep disturbances.
Since the research into CBD, and it’s usefulness as a neurodegenerative therapy, is so new, the reality is that more research must be done. However, it’s hard to ignore the anecdotal evidence of thousands of people who have improved their quality of life by supplementing with CBD.
CBD May Improve Your Mood and Reduce Anxiety
It doesn’t really matter what age you are, anxiety can strike at any time. However, for seniors, it can be harder to reach out and ask for help when anxiety becomes overwhelming. Instead of resorting to prescription benzodiazepines though, many are reaching for a bottle of CBD oil to help reduce anxiety and boost their mood.
Whenever certain excitatory neurotransmitters start running wild, we can experience racing thoughts, generalized anxiety, and more. Luckily, the ECS has a safety measure in place that boosts GABA levels. GABA is the neurotransmitter that helps us slow our thoughts, relax, and even sleep better. So, when you take CBD oil, you’re giving your ECS more tools to help your brain calm down.
Due to how subtle CBD oil can be, it’s best to develop a regular supplement routine. Over time you’ll notice that those racing thoughts stop overwhelming you and you’re more able to refocus your mind. However, keeping CBD Gummies on hand can be particularly helpful if you’re prone to panic attacks.
CBD May Stimulate Your Appetite
Unlike its psychoactive cousin THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD won’t give you the stereotypical “munchies.” It can, however, stimulate your appetite in more subtle ways.
The Washington Post says the way that CBD interacts with serotonin receptors, gives it the ability to reduce both nausea and vomiting. For many people with cancer, chronic pain, or digestive issues, nausea and anxiety keep them from eating as much as they should. This, of course, only makes their medical problems worse as their bodies can’t get the necessary amount of nutrients.
By using CBD to reduce anxiety, pain, nausea, and/or vomiting, those who suffer from medical issues that make it difficult to eat may find relief. So, while it won’t make you suddenly ravenous, it can ease some of the issues that make it harder to eat.
CBD May Improve the Quality of Your Sleep
As we age, our sleep can be impacted in any number of ways. Sometimes general aches and pains can make it hard to fall asleep, and racing thoughts can make it harder to wind down. Sleep, however, is one of the most important things we can do for our overall health and wellness.
Luckily, all of the previous benefits we’ve covered will naturally lead to a good nights rest. Less pain, inflammation, and blood pressure can make it easier for your body to relax, the neuroprotective properties of CBD can relieve muscle spasticity that may be keeping you awake, and CBD can also slow down racing thoughts that may be keeping you up at night.
When we don’t sleep well, our bodies don’t heal and recover as quickly. What’s even worse, is that less sleep can mean more inflammation, pain, and anxiety. That’s why so many people are turning to CBD to help them relax and wind down.
Experience the Benefits of CBD for Seniors!
It doesn’t matter what age you are, you deserve to live happy and pain-free. We hope this gave you some insight into how CBD can help improve the quality of your life, and we hope you’ll consider adding it to your routine today!
For more information about which CBD strength and dose is right for you, click here. And feel free to contact us today if you have any other questions about CBD for seniors.