OK, we hear you! Senior folks are asking us…
- “Is it safe for me to use CBD?”
- “What are the benefits of CBD for senior citizens?”
- “What is the recommended CBD dosage for arthritis pain?”
- “I need to know if CBD for elderly people is a good idea for bone health!”
- “Can CBD fight glaucoma?”
- "The New York Times Magazine said CBD might slow dementia or Alzheimer's. Tell me more!"
And so on. Even the American Association of Retired Persons (more commonly known as the "AARP") has taken note, writing that CBD "shows promise for age-related health problems" and that it "seems to help" people who are elderly cope with pain, as well as having anti-inflammatory benefits.
Our mission today is to talk to older adults, and those who love them, about what CBD can do.
So, What Is CBD—And How Does It Do What It Does?
Hemp-derived CBD is a compound that causes no psychoactive effects in people who take it. In the past year, it became legal on the federal level, through the U.S. Farm Bill, as a derivative of agricultural hemp.
CBD interacts, in ways we are all finding out now that the research is legal, with our bodies' endocannabinoid systems. Endo- means internal. The intriguing biological fact is...
CBD is a balancer. This explains why cannabinoids can whet the appetites of people who have trouble eating after chemotherapy—although CBD use may actually be able to reduce hunger in people who are overweight.
Our Bodies Have Natural Receptors for Cannabis Compounds, Including CBD
Yes, it's true.
The human body gets many benefits from plants. We couldn't live without them! And today, our internal responses to cannabis compounds are giving scientists new examples of how plants impact our physical and mental balance.
Cannabis compounds such as CBD are not thought to cure any disease. Instead, they are thought to have a balancing effect on the way we experience symptoms. It works like this: CBD engages two key cannabinoid receptors in our bodies, named CB1 and CB2. These two receptors are essential actors in preserving homeostasis in our bodies. What does homeostasis mean? It refers to a balanced state. Once engaged, our natural cannabinoid receptors help regulate the delicate processes that help our internal systems regain a natural balance.
Fascinating, isn't it?
CBD Safety for Senior Adults Is Receiving Positive Attention
Is CBD safe for senior folks? Many of our 50+ year old customers want the medical facts. We cannot offer medical advice to our readers, but we can tell you this. The AARP magazine quotes Dr. Mikhail Kogan, a medical doctor who directs the Center for Integrative Medicine at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Kogan, the AARP reports, has been prescribing CBD since 2011. As for safety, Dr. Kogan describes cannabis compounds as:
- "Safer than Tylenol or caffeine by tenfold."
- "About 10,000 times safer" than opiate drugs.
Indeed, there is really no comparison.
CBD Is Neither a Drug nor an FDA-Approved Supplement
CBD's effects might, to some extent, be predictable based on other customer experiences. But your experience with CBD may not be the same as other people's.
What's nice is you can try it out and see how it goes, because CBD is, as Dr. Kogan points out, very safe to use compared to other substances—like tea or over-the-counter pain relievers—that we take in our everyday lives.
It's no wonder seniors turn to CBD to help lower their medication load. There are no side effects, although it's important to speak with your doctor if you are currently taking prescriptions, as you want to avoid any possible interactions.
No need to worry that CBD will give you the "munchies" or increase your weight. In fact, says Rachna Patel, MD, the anti-anxiety traits of CBD can help curb nervous eating.
Can CBD Help With Age-Related Health Issues?
People 50 and up are prime movers in the increasing social acceptance of cannabinoids. Gradually, for years now, this generation pushed back against taboos surrounding cannabis-related therapies. That has encouraged the public's interest in CBD for wellness support.
According to the National Council for Aging Care in Washington, D.C., more research much be carried out to understand CBD’s potential health benefits. Meanwhile, many CBD customers have reported its benefits as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant aid.
As we get older, our metabolism changes, and it's also possible that CBD can have a beneficial influence on our insulin levels. Research published in the Journal of Neuroendocrinology includes findings that our endocannabinoid system plays a role in healthy metabolism in the G.I. tract and other organ tissue.
As for glaucoma, that one's a negative. The AARP points out that it's THC, not CBD, that may help with eye pressure. What about the bone health question? Pre-clinical research suggests CBD promotes fracture healing and strengthens bones by supporting mineralization of bone tissue. We think it's going to be very intriguing when human studies tell us more.
CBD Is Easy to Add to a Daily Routine
To try CBD for yourself, choose high-quality, hemp-derived CBD oil, tested by an independent laboratory for purity and label accuracy.
Mikhail Kogan, MD recommends using a few drops, placed under the tongue.
First-timers might begin with 2.5 milligrams of CBD a day and gradually, over the course of several weeks, raise the daily dosage to 10-20 milligrams.
Effects gently become noticeable after a few days to a month.
CBD Has Taken the Baby Boomer Generation by Storm
So, if you're taking it, or just curious, read the scientific literature to learn more about how hemp-derived CBD oil may support your body's natural tendency to restore balance.
And let us know if you have any questions about our products. We're here to help.
As linked, and:
https://www.marijuanabreak.com/cbd-oil-to-lose-weight
https://www.menshealth.com/uk/weight-loss/a27285417/lose-weight-with-cbd-oil/
https://www.marijuanabreak.com/how-much-cbd-oil-should-i-take-explained