CBD is proving to be a fantastic supplement, especially for seniors. There are over 46 million individuals who are 65 years of age or older living in America today. There are so many benefits, and it is a highly effective way to manage symptoms that affect seniors, such as anxiety, pain, Arthritis, and sleep disorders. The good thing is that it is low on side effects and has high effectiveness.
Let us explore how CBD can benefit seniors. But first, let us explain what CBD is.
What is CBD?
CBD is a product of the cannabis plant. To date, more than 113 cannabinoids have been identified in the cannabis plant. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), an internal system responsible for maintaining homeostasis. Some of the ECS regulation functions are anxiety, stress, mood, appetite, temperature, sleep, and pain. This system is now recognized as the 12th internal system in humans and mammals. This vital system consists of receptors located throughout the brain and body. These receptors are known as CB1 and CB2. CB1 is (more abundant in the brain) causally related to neurological ailments. CB2 (more productive in the immune system) is connected to pain and inflammation. The CBD compounds appear to trigger your body to use more of the cannabinoids it produces naturally, leading to the therapeutic effects. CBD isn’t the same thing as medical marijuana. Although CBD oils are made from cannabis and hemp, they do not always contain THC, as does medical marijuana. THC is the component that makes users feel “high” or “stoned” when smoking marijuana. A broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC. CBD Wild Leaf's products are broad-spectrum, so they are THC free! Full-spectrum CBD products derived from hemp include a minimal amount of THC (0.3 percent or less), so they can cause psychoactive effects in some THC sensitive people.
CBD Pain Management for Seniors
First on our list is CBD's ability to alleviate a condition that nearly every senior deals with―Pain, Arthritis, and inflammation. With roughly half of the aging population in the United States is suffering from Arthritis, and 75–85% of seniors suffer from chronic pain―this is, unfortunately, a common problem for most seniors. As the pie chart shows above, it is the highest use when you combine pain and arthritis pain. According to the CDC, 49.6% of senior citizens have Arthritis.
Studies have shown that CBD can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain from conditions such as Arthritis, Joint Pain, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). By activating various receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, experts have found that patients treated with CBD experienced a "clinically significant reduction" in pain-related symptoms with little to no adverse side effects.
As a natural alternative to traditional pain medications, CBD creates a compelling case for health care professionals and senior caregivers.
CBD and Anxiety for Seniors
As most seniors would agree with this, “What happened to the “Golden Years”? Many seniors suffer from anxiety and stress that can be unbearable. The focus of loved ones, friends, and family ailing and passing is incredibly stressful. Many lose a spouse and are living alone. These things can bring on stress, fearfulness, loneliness, worry, and sadness, leading to anxiety disorders. Mental Health America found that 27% of senior citizens suffer from severe anxiety disorders that are significantly impacting their ability to function.
While we all deal with mood swings, as we start to experience the significant changes associated with getting older―like the decline of health, disabilities, or the loss of a loved one―these mood swings can often become significantly intensified. Prolonged, they can lead to significant health problems, with a high chance of the individual developing a mental illness if they feel that they are disconnected, neglected, isolated, or lonely. The current research provides some convincing evidence to support the use of CBD oil for anxiety.
CBD for Sleep Orders in Seniors
While sleeping disorders like insomnia are a condition suffered by individuals of every age, they are prevalent for seniors. Experts suggest that this is caused by the shift in sleeping patterns as one gets older and the chemical imbalance caused by medical conditions and prescription medication. Because sleep is when our body flushes out toxins and restores itself, states that prevent sleep are incredibly harmful to seniors. To alleviate their sleeping disorders, most seniors will turn to sleep medications. While these may temporarily solve one problem, they create an even bigger problem in the long run. By combatting the conditions causing sleeping disorders, such as stress, anxiety, restlessness, and general unbalance in the body, CBD can calm the user and naturally promote a healthier sleep for seniors. More importantly, it can prevent the need to take harmful sleeping medications.
CBD for headaches and Nerve Pain in Seniors
Many seniors suffer from nervous disorders. According to the Harvard Neurodiscovery Center:- 5 million senior citizens suffer from Alzheimer’s
- 1 million senior citizens suffer from Parkinson’s
- 300 thousand senior citizens suffer from MS
All of these conditions are related to the nervous system. CBD can help to alleviate the symptoms associated with these diseases. That is why seniors must understand CBD and the ways it can help them every day.
Many mental things, such as anxiety, lead to physical ailments such as headaches, migraines, tension headaches, nausea, and sinus headaches. CBD can help relieve the symptoms. CBD Wild Leaf has specific products that help, like our Migraine Releaf Roll-on and tinctures.
Best CBD for Seniors
One significant thing you should do if you are considering using CBD with seniors is to make sure you select a quality CBD. The FDA tested several CBD products and found some that did not contain the CBD levels the manufacturers claimed, and others that contained unsafe contaminants. Another study of 84 companies found that almost 25% of the products had zero percent CBD, and only 31% had CBD on the label. Other products that used imported oils tested positive for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial. CBD Wild Leaf only uses CBD Oil grown and harvested in Colorado. We post the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) on the website and embed them into the products' QR codes. We advise avoiding those that do not.