Why Seniors Are Using CBD Oil

CBD Oil for Seniors

In the last decade, CBD oil has sparked a massive shift in the wellness sector as people across the globe try to find natural ways to manage their health conditions.

Senior citizens are some of the people who have turned to CBD for relief.

In a recent survey, 9% of seniors reported having used CBD for health-related issues. Of this, at least 50% have reported experiencing an improved quality of life.

According to the Population Reference Bureau, the number of US senior citizens aged 65 years and above is likely to double from around 50 million people in 2018 to up to 95 million people by 2060.

With the number of senior citizens growing, it’s not surprising that CBD oil products are becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy for age-related health conditions such as pain.

So how can CBD oil help the senior population?

In this article, we will dispel all the concerns you may have regarding using CBD oil as a natural supplement.

How CBD Oil May Help the Senior Population

Chronic Pain

So you can’t walk or work anymore due to achy joints and back?

Well, you’re not alone.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 49.6% of the older population have reported doctor-diagnosed arthritis, which is one of the leading causes of pain in senior people.

Instead of using pharmaceutical pain-relievers, which may have severe side effects, aged people are opting for natural alternatives such as CBD oil to manage their discomforts.

But does it work?

This 2018 review involving studies conducted between 1975 and 2018 suggests that CBD may help manage different types of pain, including fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain.

Another animal study found out that topical gel containing CBD might help reduce inflammation symptoms and signs of pain without causing side effects.

People may use CBD products to manage pain and arthritis. But more studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Bone Strength

As we age, our bone density tends to decrease. Left unchecked, this can contribute to bone fractures and diseases such as osteoporosis.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that CBD oil can help promote bone healing and the preservation of healthy bones. 

It’s not clear exactly how CBD may help with bone strength, but according to a study conducted by researchers from Hebrew and Tel Aviv Universities, CBD may help strengthen bones and accelerate the healing of fractures without causing psychotropic effects.

Sleep Issues

Insomnia is another reason why most elder people have turned to CBD oil.

According to Mayo Clinic, some of the reasons you’re not sleeping well may include mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, PTSD, depression, etc., and physical discomforts such as back and joint pain.

Luckily, CBD oil has been found to help with most of these conditions.

In a study, 47 people with anxiety and 25 people with sleeping problems were treated with 25 mg of CBD daily for one month.

At the end of the trial period, 66.7% and 79.2% of the participants reported improved sleep and fewer anxiety symptoms, respectively.

Studies have also shown that CBD may help with different forms of pain. This means that if your sleeplessness is a result of underlying conditions such as anxiety or pain, then CBD oil may be a good option.

This 2017 review also notes that CBD may be useful in managing Rem sleep behavior disorder– A condition that causes people to act out their dreams. 

 

Anxiety And Depression

Although older people are more satisfied with their lives than the younger population, significant life changes, e.g., retirement or death of a family member or dealing with chronic health conditions, may drive them into anxiety, stress, and depression.

How does CBD work for these mental disorders?

It’s not clear how CBD may help with anxiety, but it’s thought to alter serotonin signals, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for maintaining your mental health.

Low serotonin levels have often been linked to anxiety and depression.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Zoloft are the conventional treatment for serotonin imbalance.

Unfortunately, they’re only available by prescription.

CBD oil, on the other hand, is readily available in local dispensaries and online stores and has proved beneficial in the management of different forms of anxiety including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), and Post-Traumatic Disorder (PTSD)

At this point, we would like to mention that although CBD oil has been found to help with these conditions, some mental disorders such as chronic anxiety and depression are serious health conditions that may need professional help.

You should seek a doctor’s advice before using CBD oil for any of these conditions.

Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, people also use CBD oil to manage various skin conditions, including acne.

Getting the Best CBD Oil Product for You

Now that we know how CBD oil may assist you, we want to ensure that you only go for the best products on the market.

Remember, being relatively new, the hemp sector is highly under-regulated. This means that some rogue companies may sell poor quality and potentially harmful CBD products.

How do you ensure you’re getting the best products?

• Ask the Right Questions

What’s the concentration of CBD in your CBD oil product? What other ingredients are there in your product? How and where was hemp sourced?

Always go for products made using local, organically grown hemp.

• 3rd Party Independent Lab Results

Your CBD vendor should be able to provide the certificates of analysis from 3rd party independent labs. 

If wondering where to get the best CBD oil products, our online store is a good starting point.

Will CBD Oil Get You High?

If wondering whether CBD oil will get you high, the answer is no. As long as it has been extracted from the hemp plant with less than 0.3% THC.

THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. In other words, it’s the reason you get high after using cannabis products.

Is There A Right CBD Oil Dosage?

No, there’s no universally-accepted CBD dosage since the compound affects people differently.

This means that what works for you may not work for me.

Note that, apart from age, how CBD works often depends on other factors such as sex, CBD concentration, body chemistry, as well as the severity of the symptoms you’re trying to relieve.

So how do you figure out the best CBD dosage for you?

Start small and gradually increase your intake until a point where you will experience the desired results.

You can also consult your doctor on the right place to start as far as dosage is concerned.

CBD Oil for Seniors- Take Away

As the senior population continues to increase across the globe, more and more people are turning to CBD oil. As that is a natural way to manage their health conditions such as chronic pain, inflammation, insomnia, and anxiety.

While CBD won’t cure these conditions, it may help you manage them by interacting with the endocannabinoid system. That is a system responsible for controlling body functions, including pain perception, appetite, sleep, and immune system response.

Unlike most pharmaceutical drugs, CBD is a natural, plant-based supplement, and hence has less severe side effects.

For any questions or concerns regarding how CBD oil may help you, contact us today.