CBD for Seniors — Five Ways it Can Help

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In the past few years, CBD’s popularity has exploded immensely in the United States. While these products continue to fly off the shelves, some consumers are curious about its properties and how it could benefit them. Specifically, people are starting to wonder if CBD products could be helpful for senior citizens. 

Long story short: yes, CBD can definitely help seniors! But, how? Today, we’re taking a look into five of the significant ways that CBD could benefit senior citizens and their varying complications. Though it may not be the most traditional treatment method, studies demonstrate just how efficacious this all-natural cannabinoid can be for those over the age of 60. 

The Natural Properties Behind CBD

Before we discuss how the effects of CBD can help seniors, it’s essential for us to talk about CBD, in general, and its natural, gentle properties.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant family. The cannabis family encompasses both marijuana and hemp — hemp being federally legal, and marijuana being federally illegal. Since hemp was made 100% legal under the Farm Bill signed into law in 2018, companies are allowed to extract the CBD compound right from hemp plants themselves, infusing it into other products like oils and softgels. As long as the product doesn’t contain more than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, a psychoactive compound found in cannabis), then it is legal, safe, and great for consumption. 

As a plant-derived compound, you don’t have to worry about unnatural additives or strange chemicals. In fact, any reputable CBD company subjects its products to third-party lab-test results that demonstrate the quality and purity. When they do this, they send out samples of their products to unrelated or third-party companies to test their products themselves. This way, there’s no worry that a company is manipulating its results.  

Test results included in a Certificate of Analysis (COA) help illustrate a lack of heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents, and other unhealthy ingredients you don’t want in your product. When you get your hands on these, you don’t have to worry one bit about the purity of what you’re consuming. That’s a huge reason why CBD and its all-natural properties have gained so much traction recently. 

Along with the natural characteristics of CBD, it’s important to note that CBD works so beautifully in the body because of our biological processes, too! Inside the human body, we all have a system of cell signalers called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system works to regulate internal functions, ensuring that everything is running smoothly and your body is in balance. Unfortunately, maintaining this kind of balance isn’t always easy on our own; sometimes, support is necessary. 

CBD can act as that kind of support for the body’s ECS. When we struggle to produce the hormones or enzymes we’re supposed to, CBD gets to work, providing the body with the help it needs to function healthily. Over time, consistent CBD consumption is said to help obtain homeostasis or the state where all of our biological functions are in check and working beautifully. When we reach this state, all aspects — from pain, appetite, sleep, and more — are enhanced tenfold, and you’re left feeling ten years younger. 

CBD for Seniors: Is it Safe?

So, CBD for seniors: is it a safe option? You bet.

As you grow older and your body becomes more sensitive to medications and supplements, you always want to make sure that what you’re consuming is safe for your body. Yet, much of the same can be said no matter what age you are — certainly, consuming safely and responsibly is vital in achieving an enjoyable experience and outcome. Thankfully, CBD is one of the most gentle therapeutic options you can turn to.

As we established, the cannabinoid is 100% plant-derived and works in the body like our natural cannabinoids — or “endocannabinoids” — do. Because of this, the body tends to react quite well to CBD, as it doesn’t really notice anything foreign inside. Of course, this isn’t the case for every person who takes CBD, but we’ve found that, on average, CBD for seniors is both safe and effective. 

Just like any substance or supplement, you should discuss with your primary healthcare professional before diving right into the world of CBD. This way, if you’re currently on any other medications, your doctor can let you know of any potential drug-to-drug interactions. (Though these tend to be incredibly uncommon with cannabidiol.) From there, you and your physician can discuss the best options for you, even potentially helping you understand the cannabinoid even more. Here, you can also ask other questions you may have about the substance or your complications.

At the end of the day, CBD for anyone is a safe option. No matter how old you are, people have still reaped the benefits of this all-natural plant compound. But, before we talk about these benefits specifically, let’s quickly discuss what we still have to learn in regards to CBD.

What We Know and What We Don’t

Unfortunately, CBD is still a relatively new and unknown chemical compound. There was a time when the longstanding legality factors surrounding cannabis hindered research greatly, causing serious difficulty for researchers to create concrete conclusions about

its potential therapeutic value. But, thankfully researchers have now been able to conduct large-scale clinical trials, discovering even more than before. There have been a number of scientific breakthroughs in the medical sector with cannabis, so much so, even government agencies have shown great interest in the plant, including the Food Drug and Administration (FDA).

Currently, the FDA has approved Epidiolex — a highly concentrated CBD based oil — to be an effective treatment for certain forms of epilepsy. And, while research is still ongoing for the medicinal use of cannabinoids, this doesn’t mean we should ignore the clear potential behind the plant compound. Through small studies and countless personal experiences, it’s become evident that cannabidiol does help consumers — both young and old. While effects vary from person to person, there’s a lot of promise behind cannabidiol.

For now, we’ll have to continue to be patient while waiting for more conclusions to be made. However, until then, finding out how CBD works for you specifically can do wonders for your health and wellness. And with the severe lack of dangerous side effects, you can likely do this without any hesitation — but we’ll talk about that in a minute. 

5 Ways CBD Can Help Seniors

Okay, now that we’ve teased how beneficial CBD—especially in the form of CBD softgel capsules—can be for senior citizens, let’s actually discuss the advantages. While there are countless medical benefits that cannabidiol can bring, we’re focusing just on the top five ways that CBD can help seniors. From alleviating pain to bringing a dose of calm, it’s time to get into these incredible potential benefits.  

1. CBD Provides Soothing Relief 

Using CBD for providing relief in the areas that need it most is incredibly common because of how effective the products are, and how easy they are to use or consume. 

According to the National Institute of Health, it was found that CBD boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can be wonderful for those suffering from chronic aches and pains. As we age, our bones become more brittle, and we’re not as strong as we once were. Because of this, it’s more common to experience deep-seated discomfort, especially daily. But, there’s no reason to put up with this if you don’t have to! The strong anti-inflammatory characteristics of CBD can be remarkable for these hard-to-manage aches and pains.

Specifically, this study indicates that a lot of senior citizens have found relief from their arthritis pains due to CBD. Since arthritis is an inflammatory disorder in nature, the soothing properties within cannabidiol ease the excess inflammation, allowing you a bit more relief than previously. Of course, the compound cannot cure your arthritis, but it may make the pains a lot more manageable than they were prior. 

The market is full of different types of CBD products, each one fantastic for different kinds of pain and discomfort. Some consumers will choose CBD oils to help produce more full-bodied effects, while others may opt for CBD topicals that can bring relief to concentrated areas. The choice is yours! 

2. CBD Does Not Have Dangerous Side Effects

Unlike a lot of other medications or treatment plans, CBD doesn’t really present any dangerous side effects. If you consume too much, you may experience uncomfortable effects, but none of these results can harm you. In other words, it is impossible to overdose on CBD.

Primarily, the possible side effects of CBD that one may experience with overconsumption are things like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or anxiety. Thankfully, you can easily control all of these side effects through regular activities like eating, sleeping, showering, or even just talking with a loved one. These effects do not tend to last long, either. 

If you find that you’re regularly experiencing these uncomfortable effects, that probably means that CBD isn’t right for you. And that’s okay! That cannabinoid isn’t for everyone. Luckily, trying it out will not harm you or leave you wound up in the hospital. With how natural it is and how it works within the body, there just isn’t much danger here — even for seniors. So, if you’re looking for something to help with your daily aches and pains but are a bit intimidated by chemical-based treatments, you can always check out some CBD to see how your body reacts.

3. CBD Can Help Enhance Daily Movement

As we mentioned, CBD can help alleviate muscle or joint inflammation, reducing the amount of pain you might experience on a daily basis. But, along with this, you might also notice your range of movement improve. 

When your body isn’t fighting off extreme inflammation, your joints aren’t as likely to be swollen and tender. If you do have swollen, tender joints, regular movement becomes quite painful, and you may not be able to move correctly. For example, extreme inflammation may result in an inability to extend your arm fully, or maybe you cannot bend it entirely without pain. However, with CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, some of this range of motion might begin to come back.

Pairing CBD with your everyday treatment regimen is a beautiful way of retaking control of your health — and this includes getting your range of motion back! Products like CBD topicals can be great for alleviating inflammation in specific areas, while other products like CBD oil or CBD softgels for those seeking pain relief can provide more full-bodied relief. No matter what you need or want, there’s many quality CBD product format options now available for you.

4. CBD’s Soothing Properties Can Ease Anxieties

Along with pain assistance, CBD’s characteristics may also help ease anxieties and lower stress levels. As we grow older, we start to worry about things that we weren’t prepared for. Whether it’s medical problems, domestic issues, or problems with loss of life, none of this is easy on our mental health. For seniors, finding a bit of anxiety relief can do wonders for improving everyday mood. 

CBD has proven anti-anxiety properties that may work to regulate our body’s stress levels and mood, helping us feel more calm, cool, and collected. When you combine this on top of some pain relief, you’re left feeling like your absolute best self. Again, CBD won’t completely cure you of anxiety or prevent stress from ever affecting you, but it can assist in regulating these responses and leaving you more level-headed. 

These properties can help tremendously in terms of sleep. Many consumers turn to CBD for assistance with rest, as its characteristics can relax both the mind and body, allowing you to drift off into a deep, restful sleep. During this time, your CBD product can stay reducing pains, and you’re less likely to wake up throughout the night uncomfortable. 

5. CBD May Help Improve Overall Quality of Life

In general, cannabidiol may help improve your overall quality of life as a senior. CBD works holistically, targeting numerous areas of the body at once. Because of this, many people tend to notice more full-body, all-encompassing benefits rather than just a few specific effects. It isn’t uncommon for seniors to feel more motivated and energetic after adding CBD to their daily routines. Along with this, regular aches and pains are less prominent, and sleep is deep, restful, and enjoyable.

Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your quality of life. You can still live every day happily and healthily — you just have to find a supplement that works for you! For many, CBD is that substance. But, every person’s experience is unique, so you just have to try the plant compound for yourself to see if its holistic benefits are right for you.

CBD for Seniors, Teens, and Everyone In Between

Simply put, there is no age limit on CBD. Whether you’re 18, 38, or 88, you may be able to find benefits from CBD products. You have to take the time to discover what type of product is best for you, as well as how much of the product your body enjoys most. While this might require a bit of trial and error — and a little bit of patience — it is more than worth it to experience the all-natural impact of cannabidiol. 

CBD for seniors is a great option. Even though you may have grown up in a time where cannabis was quite frowned up and information was skewed, we know more now about medical cannabis products than ever before. Now, we can see firsthand the potential these plant-based compounds hold — and this potential is incredible for senior citizens just like you.