Did you know that applying a few drops of CBD oil underneath your tongue every day could help scale back acute pain and irritation in your body? Well, the past few years have seen researchers get attuned to the ability of CBD oil in treating ailments and managing symptoms related to several health conditions.
Old age can be unforgiving, and most senior citizens become susceptible to health issues such as cell and tissue degeneration, pains, IBS, hypertension, arthritis, nerve points, soreness in bones, joint pains, declining immunity, bone mass, bone density, among others. But CBD oil, a derivative of cannabis, has in many cases proved to alleviate pain and discomfort, especially for adults struggling with the aforementioned health problems. With that in mind, let’s examine how CBD oil can help senior citizens with health issues.
CBD Oil: A Safe Therapeutic Compound
For centuries, different cultures and religions have used marijuana for medicinal purposes and meditation companions. As early as 2730 BC in the ancient Chinese Empires, cannabis was used for gout, rheumatism, absent-mindedness, and malaria. Fast forward to today, cannabis has been proven to possess many therapeutic wonders, from dealing with depression and anxiety to alleviating pain and discomfort. Better still, patients get to enjoy these therapeutic wonders without fear of being intoxicated. That is because Cannabidiol Oil (CBD), unlike THC, is non-psychoactive and doesn’t have the mind-altering results.
Besides, the World Health Organization stated that CBD oil lacks the risk of addiction, abuse, or dependence and is perfectly safe for use because there is no record of side effects that stem from CBD usage. That said, the therapeutic potential of CBD extends to the senior citizens who, for the most part, use prescriptive medication to enhance the quality of their lives. Let’s look at the U.S senior citizens’ data for health issues to put that into context.
Health Problems among Senior Citizens in the U.S
Over 48 million people in the U.S are aged 65 years or older. Out of this number, only a couple million senior citizens age with few ailments. However, the majority suffer multiple health issues in old age. That said, it is almost inevitable that as we age, body tissues deteriorate, the immune systems plummet inefficiently, and we become prone to a range of diseases and health conditions that ultimately hamper our mental abilities and mobility. Let’s examine these statistics relating to senior citizens with health issues in the United States.
- According to Harvard Neurodiscovery Center, over 5 million senior citizens (aged 65 or older) in the U.S have Alzheimer’s disease, 500,000 have multiple sclerosis, while over 1 million have Parkinson’s disease.
- According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 48% of U.S senior citizens have arthritis.
- Mental Health America discovered that 30% of senior citizens suffer from depression and anxiety that significantly impact their social lives and overall well-being.
These statistics represent only the tip of the iceberg. That’s because there are many health conditions and age-related illnesses that affect our senior citizens. That is why we have to be always on the lookout for alternative therapies that can help improve the quality of life and allow them to live to the fullest. Conventional medications have traditionally helped relieve pain and discomfort. Still, the past few years have seen focused research reveal CBD’s potential in acting as an alternative to traditional medicine – which can plague patients with side effects.
CBD’s Health Benefits to Senior Citizens
CBD Oil Relieves Pain
Most senior citizens suffer from some pain and inflammation. CDC found that 50% of seniors outside care homes and 80% of those living in care facilities suffer from chronic pain. And away from the usual painkillers that also come with side effects, CBD contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help this group of citizens lives a better life.
CBD Oil Relieves Anxiety and Depression
According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 15% of Americans have experienced depression at some point in their lives. Out of this number, 8% are senior citizens who meet the criteria for anxiety diagnosis. Anxiety and depression inhibit the immune system’s ability to fight infections. Luckily, CBD has been known to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) to activate the production of serotonin – the hormone responsible for the thought process. This way, CBD can give senior citizens a calming feeling and prevent them from overthinking.
CBD Oil Fights Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia – a neuron disease that affects the brain and is prevalent in folks aged 65 and older. While Alzheimer’s disease is not exclusive to senior citizens, it can be diagnosed early, but the symptoms worsen with age.
CBD Oil helps Regulate Sleeping Patterns
Most of our senior citizens experience difficulties catching sleep. And this problem stems from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, restless limb syndrome, and insomnia. Others have difficulties getting enough sleep because of conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain. However, CBD’s anti-inflammatory property can help relieve that.
CBD Oil Boosts Cardiovascular Health
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States, especially among senior citizens prone to high blood pressure, angina, congestive heart failure, etc. That is why keeping a healthy heart is crucial for the elderly. Currently, surgery and lifestyle changes are the key drivers of maintaining a healthy heart, but CBD has been proven to reduce blood pressure. Besides, separate studies have revealed that the antioxidants present in CBD oil are great at reducing cardiac inflammation.
CBD Oil for Bone Health
As mentioned earlier, bone density and bone mass degenerate as we age. That is why our elderly group is at a higher risk of suffering from fractures because of bone fragility. Studies have revealed that CBD oil can support the growth of strong, healthy bones and is therapeutically beneficial for healing fractures and bone injuries. Moreover, CBD possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial for those who have multiple sclerosis.
Sleep specialist
Using the acquired academic and professional experience, I advise patients with various complaints about mental health - depressed mood, nervousness, lack of energy and interest, sleep disorders, panic attacks, obsessive thoughts and anxieties, difficulty concentrating, and stress. In my free time, I love to paint and go on long walks on the beach. One of my latest obsessions is sudoku – a wonderful activity to calm an unease mind.
- Chickpeas vs. Garbanzo Beans: What’s the Difference? - April 19, 2024
- How to Manage or Improve Anxiety - September 21, 2023
- The birth of a company - July 29, 2023
