Danny Davis
In the medical sense, your senior years are far different than your 30s, 40s, and even your 50s. Now, you’re at a much greater risk for conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, obesity, heart disease, and sarcopenia.
Improving your quality of life and health as a whole is likely your primary goal at this point, which is why you might consider using increasingly popular CBD products. 14% of Americans used CBD within 6 months in 2019. So, are these products recommended for seniors too?
What is CBD?
CBD is formally known as cannabidiol, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant. This is an active ingredient that’s found in both the hemp and marijuana plants, boasting a THC level of 0.3% or lower (due to legal restrictions).
That means it won’t get you high as marijuana does, according to Harvard Health.
Shortly after CBD enters the body, it begins to interact with the receptors of the endocannabinoid system. This can impact your pain perception, inflammation within the body, and your mood.
The Safety of CBD Dosages
CBD typically isn’t considered dangerous given the low THC levels and no reported instances of an overdose after use. With that said, you should begin at the lowest dosage possible if you’re a senior and have never used CBD products in the past.
That means beginning at a dose as low as 2.5mg, especially if you’re currently on other medications or have other health conditions. If you notice that you’re tolerating CBD well, you should begin raising your intake by 2.5mg at a time.
Why Seniors Use CBD Products
CBD is used to treat (or reduce the symptoms) a multitude of health conditions. Since seniors are more susceptible to certain health conditions, here’s a list of conditions you may be diagnosed with that can be treated with CBD (Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience).
- Chronic pain & inflammation
- Heart disease & cardiovascular disease
- Arthritis & osteoarthritis
- Alzheimer’s Disease & Parkinson’s Disease
- Glaucoma
- Osteoporosis
- Multiple sclerosis
Keep in mind that, though CBD can help to improve your quality of life when you have these conditions, it won’t entirely replace the medications you’re on right now.
How to Use CBD
CBD often comes in the form of oil (CBD oil), but there are also other products on the market that infuse CBD. Your options include:
- Squeezing a few droplets of CBD oil under your tongue before swallowing
- Swallowing (or chewing) CBD gummies or capsules
- Using CBD oil (or oil infused with cream) directly on problem areas on the skin
- Consume CBD in the form of protein shakes or drink mixes
The most important thing you can do is check the dosage before using it. It’s also a good idea to consult with your doctor before using CBD products to be sure that it won’t interact with your current medications or cause your health conditions to worsen.
The Benefits of Using CBD in Your Senior Years
Now that you know how to use CBD and which conditions it can help improve, it’s time to learn about the benefits of using this ingredient in your day-to-day life.
The clear benefit is a reduction of pain and inflammation, which can help you to get more active and physical (especially if you have joint or bone pain). It can also help to reduce gastrointestinal upset, improve your diet, and make you happy.
Final Thoughts
CBD won’t work for everybody, but it might be a good option if your current treatment methods aren’t working as intended. You’ll want to consult your doctor before using it, starting at the lowest dosage, and keeping an eye on your body’s response to it!
CBD 101: The Complete Guide
How familiar are you with CBD? Is it something you’ve heard people talking about, but you haven’t looked into it? Perhaps you’re curious about it but hesitant to try it. You may even be completely uninformed or disinterested in it. However, with it’s growing popularity, it’s important that you understand what CBD is and how it can help you.
While it has been around for thousands of years, the compound was only officially discovered in 1940. Now, some 80 years later, it is legalized across the world and in many US states as well. Researchers have found plenty of evidence to suggest it possess medicinal value and for a variety of illnesses and conditions. As of right now, many of those studies are animal-based, but that hasn’t stopped Americans from jumping on board with 1 in 7 admitting they actively use or have tried CBD products.
If you have been thinking about trying CBD, then you won’t want to miss out on our new 100% FREE eCourse CBD 101: The Complete Guide. In it, you will learn the science behind CBD to understand how it works biologically, as well as what conditions and illnesses it has been shown to assist with.
