If you thought that the recent boom in CBD was limited mainly to young people, you would be very much mistaken. In fact, a growing number of senior citizens are embracing CBD products to alleviate the symptoms of chronic illness as well as to improve general health.
This unlikely development has been helped along by the gradual destigmatisation of cannabis and cannabis-derived products and an increase in the number of GPs and doctors who have begun to prescribe CBD to treat a growing number of conditions associated with old age.
Read on to find out more about exactly why so many senior citizens are now turning to CBD oil in the UK. With a few searches, you’ll find many great resources to learn more about CBD and determine which products best suit your needs.
1. Chronic Pain Relief
As we get older, the risk that we will suffer from a condition that involves chronic pain increases. Diseases such as neuropathy, arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibromyalgia, among a whole host of other conditions, can cause debilitating levels of chronic pain that can severely affect our quality of life in old age.
Senior citizens are often forced to turn prescription painkillers as a means of getting their pain levels under control. These painkillers often bring with them a range of unwanted side-effects that patients can struggle to deal with.
CBD may offer a solution to older people who are struggling with chronic pain. Since CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors which have been found to regulate sensations of pain, it can offer significant natural pain relief. And the best thing about it? There are zero nasty side-effects.
2. Neurodegenerative Diseases
There is evidence that CBD is effective in be the treatment and prevention of neurological problems. While investigating the potential treatment of Alzheimer’s with CBD in 2011, Australian researchers Tim Karl and Carl Group discovered that CBD stimulates the growth and development of brain cells, reducing memory loss and the decline of other brain functions.
This has opened the door to the possibility that CBD may be an effective treatment for other degenerative neurological diseases such as dementia, Parkinson’s, and others. However, a lot more research is needed to test the veracity of these theories.
3. Healthier Bones
Old age often brings with it the threat of developing musculoskeletal problems. As our strength and balance decreases, we also become more at risk of falling and suffering breaks and fractures, which can take much longer to heal than when we were younger.
CBD may help to reinforce our bones so as to decrease the likelihood of breaks. The Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published a 2015 study in which it was found that CBD strengthens bones and accelerates the healing of fractures.
4. Anxiety
Symptoms of anxiety and depression can get worse as we get older. CBD has become a popular treatment for these symptoms among people of all ages. Although more research is needed, there are thousands of people who swear that CBD has helped to improve their outlook on life and led them to experience more feelings of calmness and serenity.
One of the most prevalent effects of high anxiety is insomnia. Many people have reported that low doses of CBD help them to fall asleep and to then stay asleep longer, and these claims have been backed up by various studies. Research suggests that hemp hash may be a promising option for managing anxiety and stress.
5. Promotes Appetite
The endocannabinoid system with which CBD interacts is responsible for a wide range of bodily functions, among which is appetite. As people get older, they often experience a reduction in appetite and have to force food down in order to give their bodies the nutrients they need.
CBD has been shown to help stimulate appetite in the findings of some studies, which is reported to be among the most common side-effects of taking the cannabinoid.
As the stigma of cannabis is slowly being lifted, some of the compounds that are derived from it are being proven to possess significant health benefits. One of these compounds, CBD, has been shown to be beneficial for sufferers of a wide range of chronic conditions.
As a result, more and more senior citizens are opting to treat long-standing symptoms of chronic conditions with CBD, and we can only expect this trend to continue in the future as the cannabinoid is further demystified.
Written by Jamie Richardson
