CBD For Seniors: The Top 7 Benefits of CBD for Aging Adults
The Best CBD For Seniors
CBD is one of the active compounds in the Cannabis Sativa plant, or hemp. It is thought to work within the endocannabinoid system, which is a series of receptors within the body that regulate functions such as sleep, appetite, mood, as well as pain and inflammation. CBD attaches to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the cells throughout your body. CBD works to stimulate these receptors, which helps to reduce pain and inflammation, which in turn helps to manage associated ailments.
Most people think CBD is just for younger folks, but it can help older adults, too. From easing pain to supporting heart health, here are 7 ways CBD could be good for seniors.
1. Help Manage Pain
It is commonly known that CBD may have incredible benefits for pain relief, especially when it is chronic pain you’re dealing with. The older we get, the more aches and pains we experience. Studies have shown that CBD can reduce inflammation and promote relaxation throughout the body, which helps to reduce pain with minimal side effects.
Types of pain CBD is thought to help with:
- Chronic pain
- Joint pain
- Arthritis
- Inflammation
- Muscle Soreness
The Best CBD for Pain
Studies have shown that when dealing with pain in specific areas of the body, such as joint pain, topical CBD lotions and balms may be best at providing the most targeted treatment. However, if you are experiencing inflammation or pain throughout the body, a tincture or soft gel may be the best option for you!
2. Promotes Bone Health
As we age, our bones tend to thin out and become brittle. This is why many older adults deal with issues such as osteoporosis. Keeping our bones strong and healthy as we age is extremely beneficial for preventing painful fractures that are commonly associated with falls among older adults.
Since CBD works in our bodies at the cellular level, it may promote cellular repair, strengthening, and protecting our bones over time. A study conducted by the CDC actually showed that CBD aids in healing fractures and aging bones.
The best CBD for Bone Health
CBD soft gels, tinctures, or edibles may be best for promoting overall bone health.
3. Aides in Sleep
Another one of the most widely accepted benefits of CBD is its ability to calm the body, promoting relaxation, stress relief, and reducing anxiety. A huge side effect of this overall calming effect is a better night’s sleep. As we age, the amount of sleep we get each night tends to dwindle. However, sleep plays a vital role in our overall health, no matter our age. Sleep is when our bodies have the most cellular activity, and it flushes toxins from the day, making a good night's rest vital for the health and wellness of aging individuals.
The Best CBD for Sleep
While any method of CBD helps promote a good night's sleep, we love these Soft Gels with Melatonin. You get the calming effect from CBD, along with sleep-inducing Melatonin. A win-win in our eyes!
4. Anxiety and Depression
As we mentioned above, CBD has an overall calming effect on the body, which can lead to a reduction in anxiety and depression in many individuals. Studies have shown that CBD's calming effects within the body work to reduce anxiety and depression. One study showed that while CBD does not directly increase serotonin levels, it does help the brain respond to existing serotonin.
CBD has been shown to aid in reducing anxiety related to panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
The Best CBD for Anxiety and Depression
Any form of CBD works for calming anxiety and depression. However, if you plan to take it frequently throughout the day, a tasty, discreet gummy or edible might be the best option for you!
5. Increase Appetite
Marijuana use and the munchies go hand in hand. But does CBD cause the munchies? Not directly. While the use of THC for prescribed weight gain is fairly common, there may be a similar but indirect benefit of taking CBD that encourages a healthy appetite without the ‘high’. Because CBD helps to keep your body in a healthy, balanced state, it helps to regulate your entire system, which can help promote healthy eating habits for those who have a lack of appetite.
Many seniors who are undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses lack a proper appetite and struggle to properly fuel their bodies, making CBD a great option for them.
The Best CBD Methods for Appetite
CBD Tinctures, soft gels, or any form of ingestible CBD will aid in an increase in appetite.
6. Improve Heart Health
You've probably all heard the saying "Calm down, or you're going to have a great attack!” High stress can result in high blood pressure, which can result in heart issues and inflammation. Since we know that CBD calms the mind and nervous system, it seems only natural that it would have a positive effect on heart health - and it does! CBD has been shown to reduce inflammation, which is attributed to heart disease. Excess inflammation can damage the arteries, causing them to harden over time.
One study measuring the effects of CBD on stress in animals found a decrease in stress levels, as well as a reduction in cell death and fibrosis. While ongoing research is measuring the effects of CBD on heart disease, the results of current studies have been encouraging.
The Best CBD for Heart Health
Any CBD will do! Try a CBD tincture, soft gel, or even an edible!
7. Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases
As you may be gathering, many issues that affect our population can be attributed to some form of inflammation. As we have learned, CBD can be a powerful tool in reducing inflammation anywhere in the body. This is also the case for neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Various studies have shown CBD’s positive effects on reducing neuro-inflammation, as well as being associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington's Disease, and even reducing pain and spasms associated with Multiple Sclerosis. While CBD cannot cure these ailments, it has been shown to help protect the neuropathways to prevent further damage.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line when it comes to CBD is that it seems to be an excellent tool in both reducing stress mentally and within the body, along with reducing inflammation and the pain that comes with it. We believe that CBD is a great addition to anyone’s daily regimen, but especially for aging seniors who can experience a myriad of health issues directly related to stress and inflammation.
Additional Resources:
https://www.dailycbdmag.com/health-wellness/cbd-for-seniors/
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