CBD for seniors, what are the benefits? What are the best products and should seniors use CBD?
Did you know that Americans between the ages of 18–29 are the most likely to use CBD? Or that CBD usage decreases with age?
While younger audiences are leaning on CBD more than others, research and anecdotal evidence point to the benefits of CBD for seniors. Still, despite this fact, most seniors don’t use CBD.
Even though the remedy is growing in popularity, there’s still a hefty amount of distrust around it. Many seniors don’t understand CBD and how it can help, and therefore, they don’t bother to use it. But with a little bit of education, the misunderstandings and misconceptions around CBD can change.
Why don’t seniors use CBD?
Many people still believe that CBD makes you high, which is not the case. But until this misconception is finally put to bed, there will be suspicion surrounding CBD, especially CBD for seniors.
The proof is even in the pudding. Research has shown that consistent CBD users are most likely to be young, specifically ages 18 to 29. That number decreases as age increases, with only 8% of people aged 65 and older using CBD on a regular basis.
This difference might be a generational thing. In many cases, unless the recommendation to use CBD is coming from a senior’s child or a trusted media outlet, they are likely to be leery of using it.
However, generational differences aren’t the primary issue here. There are a few primary reasons seniors are less likely to try CBD—unless it’s recommended by someone they trust—and those reasons are entirely rational.
1. A lack of trust
Mistrust plays a significant role in seniors’ hesitancy to use CBD. For example, a simple Google search will yield hundreds of thousands of articles on the adverse side effects of CBD, which can understandably cause confusion.
Furthermore, there’s still a lot of misinformation regarding what CBD actually does. If you bring it up in conversation, there are sure to be people who believe that it’s the same as marijuana and will cause you to get high.
2. Genuine fear
Fear is another reason why CBD for seniors is not terribly popular. The misconception that CBD can cause harm or a psychoactive effect can lead to a genuine fear of CBD products. And while there is never a guarantee that a substance will not cause a negative reaction, CBD is typically well-tolerated.
3. Hesitancy to take more medications
Finally, seniors may avoid CBD because they don’t want to add yet another item to the long list of medications they may be taking. If someone is in poor health, they’re likely taking one or more medications to help. As a result, even if seniors are interested in the potential benefits of CBD, they may be against the idea of using an additional product.
The benefits of CBD for seniors
All of the reasons that seniors shy away from CBD are understandable. But if older adults are willing to look beyond their fears and mistrust, there are science-backed benefits of CBD for seniors.
Still, it’s important to note that if you know a senior interested in trying CBD and they’re in a government-assisted nursing facility, you will need to get the CBD products approved first. Unapproved remedies can get the senior in trouble, as well as the person giving it to them.
But once the senior gets the green light, the potential benefits of using CBD are quite astounding. For example, here are five ways in which CBD may benefit older adults.
1. CBD may help with pain management
Your body produces endocannabinoids, which are neurotransmitters that bind with cannabinoid receptors in your nervous system. Research has shown that it’s possible for CBD to relieve chronic pain because it impacts endocannabinoid receptor activity and reduces inflammation. Studies done on rats found that CBD reduced both the pain of a surgical incision as well as sciatic nerve pain.
2. CBD may help keep the heart healthy
CBD may decrease high blood pressure, a condition linked to a higher risk of stroke and heart attack. Research suggests that CBD can lower blood pressure due to its ability to counter stress and anxiety. CBD is also a potent antioxidant, meaning it can reduce oxidative stress to help maintain better heart health.
3. CBD may help with depression and anxiety
Anxiety and depression are widespread mental health conditions, and seniors are not immune. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, nearly 6% of seniors suffer from some form of depression. But CBD is a promising complement or alternative to traditional treatment options. This belief is due to CBD’s ability to act on the brain’s serotonin receptors.
4. CBD may protect brain health
Researchers have found that CBD may help with various brain conditions, including epilepsy, MS, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. However, it’s essential to note that many people involved in these studies suffered some adverse side effects after using CBD, so more studies are necessary.
5. CBD may benefit skin health
As a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, CBD helps counter oxidative stress, which can cause aging. For seniors wanting to prevent the appearance of aging skin, CBD may be helpful.
Personal examples of the therapeutic benefits of CBD for seniors
While the benefits of CBD sound impressive, testimonials may also change an older adult’s mind about CBD. For example, Kat Merryfield, the Founder and CEO of Kat’s Naturals, discovered that CBD helped both her parents and other customers in incredible ways.
Before Kat’s father passed away, he suffered from dementia. Luckily, her mother discovered that giving him Kat’s Naturals’ Heal helped him calm down when he became agitated. CBD also helped Kat’s father get off opiates, as his pain steadily decreased while he used it.
Additionally, Kat’s mother uses CBD every night to help her sleep better. However, for her beauty routine, she uses Kat’s Naturals’ Skin Serum because she believes it helps fade aging spots and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Another Kat’s Naturals customer uses Restore for his Parkinson’s. He claims that it helps reduce his tremors significantly.
Whether it’s through research or personal examples, the potential benefits of CBD for seniors are available. Still, these benefits depend on one thing: the type of CBD product seniors use for their health, as the effectiveness of CBD depends on whether it’s being used correctly.
What’s the best CBD dosage for seniors?
There are no clinical trials that suggest the best dose of CBD for seniors. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a good way for seniors to determine the best dose for them. The amount of CBD that a person chooses will depend on a variety of factors, including their weight, gender, and reason for using the remedy.
Consequently, some seniors may need more CBD than others. As a general rule, it’s good to start with the smallest amount of CBD that’s recommended on the product label. Then, seniors can gradually increase the dosage if necessary.
What CBD products are the best for seniors?
Every product type has a purpose, but there are three types of CBD remedies that seniors tend to like more.
At Kat’s Naturals, CBD oils are the most popular remedies among seniors as they taste good, and the amount of CBD in them is higher than other formulations. However, topicals are also very popular with seniors, owing to how easy they are to use. In fact, using a CBD topical is as simple as applying lotion.
Edibles are also becoming more popular, as they are easy to consume, and they’re delicious. Kat’s Naturals has CBD chocolate that tastes like a decadent treat, with the added benefit of CBD, so seniors tend to like that as well.
Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all approach with CBD for seniors. It really depends on personal preference, the reason for the remedy, and what type of product the individual is most comfortable with.
CBD holds promise for seniors
While many people still view CBD with a fair amount of suspicion, it can actually have significant health benefits. For seniors, CBD may help with pain relief, heart health, skin health, brain health, and mental health.
Spreading awareness about the reality of CBD, instead of the misinformation that is so widespread, is a great way to put the seniors in your life at ease about the possibility of trying it out.