The legalization of cannabis has given more seniors the motivation and opportunity to start using medical cannabis for managing the symptoms associated with ageing and other ailments such as chronic pain, insomnia, Alzheimer’s disease, and so much more. Long-term prescription medication use can have challenging and potentially damaging side effects. So, it’s no wonder that many people, including seniors, are looking for alternatives.
How Cannabis Can Make Life Easier as You Age
Recent studies show cannabis use has been steadily increasing among people over the age of 65 years. Another California study found that among seniors who use cannabis, most stated they use it for medical reasons – most commonly, pain, insomnia, and anxiety.
What the Research Says About Cannabis Use for Seniors
The more we learn about cannabis, the more potential benefits we uncover. Here we look at what the research says about cannabis use for the most common illnesses and chronic conditions associated with ageing.
Some of the most common diseases include hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, osteoporosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Alzheimer’s Disease. We will also address the reported common uses among seniors: insomnia, chronic pain, and anxiety.
Hypertension and Heart Disease
High blood pressure is a common condition that is sometimes asymptomatic, which is why it isn’t essential to get tested regularly, particularly as you age. Chronic hypertension can lead to heart disease and other health problems. Preliminary studies suggest cannabis can help manage blood pressure and heart rate.
In a 2021 study, researchers found “a significant reduction in 24-hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure values, with the lowest point occurring three hours after ingesting cannabis either orally via oil extracts or by smoking. Patients showed reductions in blood pressure in both daytime and nighttime, with more significant changes at night.” Additionally, they believe a reduction in pain was a contributing factor in the decrease in blood pressure. More research is necessary to understand the relationship between cannabis and blood pressure fully.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little, or both. As a result, bones become weak and may break from a fall or, in severe cases, from sneezing or minor bumps. Although osteoporosis can affect people at almost any age, it’s most common among Canadians aged 50 years or older and affects two million Canadians. At least one in three women and one in five men suffer broken bones due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.
In a 2015 study, CBD showed promise in accelerating bone growth and healing when administered to rats who had experienced bone fractures. A 2017 study looked specifically at bone density loss resulting from spinal cord injury in rats. The result? CBD increased the production of bone-forming agents and enhanced the quantity and quality of bone tissue in the spine.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. The disease’s most common cause is long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and various other conditions.
An animal study in 2015 found that CBD has the potential to modulate inflammation in the lungs. Another study in 2014 found that THC activated the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which stopped spasms by expanding the airways and making it easier to breathe. More research is necessary to understand the relationship between cannabis and inflammatory lung diseases, mainly when smoking or inhaling cannabinoids.
Thankfully, there are several alternative methods of consuming cannabis other than inhalation. Check out our online dispensary to learn more about cannabis edibles and tinctures.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly causes memory and cognitive impairment. According to the most recent data, more than 402,000 seniors (65 years and older) live with dementia in Canada – a prevalence of 7.1%. Research on the effectiveness of cannabis for treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease is still in the early stages. Still, preliminary research provides some evidence for its use.
A 2016 study found THC helped reverse the buildup of harmful amyloid plaques within the brain that contribute to neurodegeneration through the death of brain cells. Researchers also found that THC reduces inflammation, which contributes to the damage of brain cells. In another 2016 study, researchers administered medical cannabis oil to a small group of Alzheimer’s patients. They observed a significant reduction in dementia symptoms. These included: delusions, agitation/aggression, irritability, apathy, trouble sleeping, and caregiver distress. They concluded that cannabis treatment was a “safe and promising treatment option” for addressing Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Insomnia
Incidences of insomnia increase with age, and sleep disturbances impact a person’s quality of life.
Due to its relaxing and soothing effects, cannabis has been an excellent sleep aid for centuries. Now, we see the research to back up these claims. Initial research on cannabis and sleep shows cannabis significantly improves a person’s ability to fall asleep. One study found that cannabis shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, both for people regardless of whether or not they usually have trouble with sleep.
It’s important to note that not all cannabinoids are equal when it comes to sleep. While THC and CBD help you sleep, people sometimes feel groggy after consuming cannabis because THC can affect how long a person is in REM sleep. Therefore, CBD may be more effective in treating insomnia than THC for sleep as it doesn’t appear to affect a person’s sleep cycle.
Check out this article to learn more about CBD Oil for Sleep and find the Best Cannabis Gummies for Sleep.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is one of the most common reasons for adults seeking medical care. Approximately 27% of seniors experience chronic pain in Canada, and it’s even higher (83%) among those living in long-term care facilities.
Cannabis is well established for use associated with chronic pain. When studying numerous ailments, treatment with cannabis almost always improves symptoms, partly due to reduced pain and inflammation.
Check out this article to find the Best CBD Gummies for Pain.
Anxiety
Anxiety is common among all Canadians, with a prevalence rate of approximately 12%. Fears associated with the normal process of ageing can lead to anxiety. Seniors have many risks, such as falling, being unable to afford living expenses and medication, being victimized, being dependent on others, being left alone, and death. Although these fears are normal, they can be challenging to manage.
Many seniors have turned to cannabis as a means of managing anxiety. However, cannabis and anxiety have an interesting relationship as some people experience increased anxiety at higher doses. Some studies suggest there may be a tipping point for THC and anxiety, but that point will vary between individuals. As a result of this effect, many people choose to start with CBD alone or CBD-dominant products as CBD does not appear to have the same impact on anxiety.
Researchers have begun to look at the endocannabinoid system’s role in the management of anxiety to understand the impacts of cannabis on anxiety. So far, studies show that the endocannabinoid system plays a vital role in our ability to react to fear, which affects stress resilience and emotional homeostasis.
Learn more about CBD Oil for Anxiety.
How to Use Cannabis for Seniors
Seniors are not the only ones concerned about the potential repercussions of smoking cannabis. There are several alternative consumption methods.
Edibles
Cannabis edibles are quickly becoming one of the most popular consumption methods because they’re pre-dosed and easy to consume. It’s a bonus that they’re tasty.
Our favourites are typically CBD and THC gummies and chocolates. Of course, these are not the only options when it comes to edibles. You should also try cookies, CBD-infused honey (perfect for morning tea), caramels, or sour keys.
One important thing to note with edibles is that their effects take longer to set in. So, it’s essential to wait at least 45 minutes before increasing your dose and pay close attention to the THC content.
CBD Capsules
Are you looking for something a little less sweet? CBD capsules are great to add to your daily health and wellness routine. They’re also pre-dosed and easy to consume.
Concentrates
Cannabis concentrates include products such as shatter, rosin, tinctures, and phoenix tears. For those that are newer to cannabis consumption, we recommend sticking to tinctures. Tinctures are typically less potent than most other concentrates, and they’re easier to consume.
Tinctures come in a small glass bottle with a dropper, and of course, come in both THC and CBD. Use the dropper to measure your preferred dose (one of the easiest ways to customize your dose) and drop it directly into your mouth under your tongue. Another way tinctures are often customizable is in combining THC and CBD. Find 1:1 and 3:1 CBD/THC tinctures and get the benefits of both cannabinoids working together.
Topicals
Cannabis topicals are any products that are applied directly to the skin. They provide localized relief, but cannabis does not penetrate the skin, so there are no psychoactive effects. Cannabis topicals are beneficial for joint pain, sore muscles, inflammation, arthritis, osteoporosis, and skin conditions like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. Apply the topical to your skin in the same manner as a typical lotion or cream and feel the benefits.
Final Thoughts
Cannabis no longer holds the stigma it once did. The number of people using cannabis for its therapeutic benefits is growing, with the most significant increase seen amongst seniors.
Cannabis has the potential to help people manage the common symptoms of ageing, such as pain and sleep management, as well as more serious ailments that often accompany ageing.
Get started on your cannabis journey today and check out our online dispensary.