There is no age limit for the daily use of cannabidiol (CBD). Seniors can benefit from the cannabinoid just as much as anyone else, and the diseases that are more common in this population group make CBD a potentially useful addition to improving the quality of life of an aging person.
Here are some ways seniors can benefit from CBD.
Pain
As the body ages, there is a tendency for the aches and pains to increase, so many seniors may have a range of pain relievers in their medicine cabinet. But in addition to – or in place of – pharmaceutical medications, seniors may find CBD helpful in relieving their pain.
Studies show that the interaction of CBD with the endocannabinoids of the endocannabinoid system can help relieve pain, regardless of whether the cannabinoid is taken orally for a systemic effect or applied topically to treat certain ailments, be it arthritis, fibromyalgia, Circulatory problems, bowel disease, or any other disease that becomes more common with age. [1]
glaucoma
glaucoma includes a number of eye diseases that can damage the optic nerve and affect good vision. This damage is typically caused by increased intraocular pressure and is a major cause of blindness in people over the age of 60. In fact, the prevalence of the most common form of glaucoma increases with age.
There is growing evidence that cannabinoids like CBD can help ward off the harmful effects of glaucoma by lowering intraocular pressure. [2] This, in turn, can help slow down the harmful effects of glaucoma.
Alzheimer
Researchers are now investigating how CBD can play a role in treating or preventing Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the studies conducted so far show great potential for the cannabinoid and suggest that CBD may suppress the main factors linked to Alzheimer’s, including the elimination of a specific toxic protein associated with the disease. [3]
Additionally, scientists suggest that using CBD in conjunction with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) could prove even more useful for this purpose.
Bone health
The elderly are more prone to bone loss as they age, which can lead to bone conditions like osteoporosis, which involve weakening bones to the point where they are easier to break. Interestingly, CBD can help slow down bone breakdown that can lead to diseases like these.
Studies have shown that cannabinoid receptors are expressed in bone and are involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis in both rats and humans. [4] The use of CBD as a treatment has been linked to improved fracture healing in rodents. However, further validation through clinical studies is justified.
Image source: Steve Buissanne from Pixabay
References:
- Russian, EB, “Cannabinoids in the treatment of hard-to-treat pain“Ther Clin Risk Manag., Feb 2008, 4 (1): 245-259.
- Tomida, i, et al. “Cannabinoids and glaucoma“, Br. J. Ophthalmol., May 2004, 88 (5): 708-713.
- Kim, SH “A look back at studies on marijuana in Alzheimer’s disease – with a focus on CBD, THC“, J Pharmacopuncture, December 2019, 22 (4): 225-230.
- Raphael-Mizrahi, B. & Gabet, Y., “The effects of cannabinoids on bone formation and healing“, Curr Osteoporos Rep., October 2020, 18 (5): 433-438.