Cannabis for seniors has become a real option today. It is a more natural way for them to cope with a wide variety of diseases, conditions, and symptoms allowing them to leave some (if not all) of those prescription pills behind. Medical Cannabis is giving our senior population a better quality of life without the terrible side effects of many of the prescription drugs that don’t always help that much anyway.
Senior's Health Concerns
Cannabis for seniors has become a real option today. It is a more natural way for them to cope with a wide variety of diseases, conditions, and symptoms allowing them to leave some (if not all) of those prescription pills behind. Medical Cannabis is giving our senior population a better quality of life without the terrible side effects of many of the prescription drugs that don’t always help that much anyway.
Medical marijuana offers a range of potential benefits for seniors, especially considering the natural aging process and its effects on the body. The natural aging process results in stress to all kinds of systems in your body.
- Medical marijuana can provide relief and improvement in several areas:Improves chronic pain and Inflammatory Conditions: Medical marijuana’s analgesic properties can alleviate chronic pain, chronic inflammation, and reduce muscle spasms with minimal side effects and improve overall quality of life. THC may be useful for managing pain while CBD can help reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Improve Mood and Mental health: The most common reasons for cannabis use in seniors were for pain, problems sleeping, and anxiety, which is unsurprising given that these are very common symptoms experienced by older adults. a 2020 survey by the American Journal of Geriatric Psychology also found that 43% reported using cannabis for more than one condition. Among those who used cannabis to help ease anxiety, 70% found that it was extremely or somewhat helpful in soothing their worries. Many are looking to experience mood-lifting or mood-enhancing effects, along with medicinal symptom relief. I often hear the request that they would like to be happy.
- Insomnia: Another benefit is the management of sleep disorders. Many seniors struggle with insomnia or other sleep-related issues. Medical marijuana can help promote relaxation and improve sleep patterns, leading to better rest and rejuvenation.
- Helps with a variety of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: Because it balances the endocannabinoid, medical marijuana is showing impressive results in managing symptoms associated with these conditions as well as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and dementia and many more..
- Appetite Stimulation: CBD and THC work together here. CBD can reduce nausea due to various conditions, while THC is widely known to induce hunger. Using cannabis can actually lead to a much needed increase in appetite, which may be helpful for seniors who have issues with appetite and weight loss. Together they can help alleviate nausea, improve appetite thus enhancing comfort and well-being for seniors.
- Cancer: Cannabis is also highly regarded by many people as a great co-therapy for cancer patients. CBD helps offset some side effects caused by common cancer therapies, like nausea and loss of appetite, while THC can help fight fatigue. A few studies suggest that cannabis has other anti-cancer properties, like calming neuropathic pain due to nerve damage and shrinking existing cancer cells.
- Glaucoma: Many reports have demonstrated that smoking medical marijuana can be linked to lower eye pressure. Some of this research can be traced back to the 1970’s and suggests that regular doses of cannabis can help lower IOP (intraocular pressure), which may help glaucoma patients get relief. Most of these studies specifically linked the use of THC to lower eye pressure, but CBD has been noted to relieve some of the discomfort related to glaucoma. Reducing eye pressure in glaucoma patients may help prevent the condition from worsening, which can eventually lead to vision loss.
- Improve post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms: According to the US Department of Veteran Affairs, over 70% to 90% of adults aged 65 and above have been exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime. Symptoms of PTSD may also increase with age as, for some people, the coping mechanisms may become less available or effective, or societal support may not be there.