The benefits of CBD for Seniors

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Over the last year, CBD has exploded and has created a shift in the health and wellness communities as people everywhere are finding natural plant-based relief for their health conditions. Let's start to explore the amazing benefits of CBD for seniors and discuss the massive impact CBD can have on this group of individuals.
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Today in America, there are over 46 million individuals who are 65 years of age or older.

• According to the Harvard Neurodiscovery Center:
• 5 million senior citizens suffer from Alzheimer's
• 1 million senior citizens suffer from Parkinson's
• 300 thousand senior citizens suffer from MS

According to the CDC, 49.6% of senior citizens suffer from Arthritis
Mental Health America found that 27% of senior citizens suffer from severe anxiety disorders that are significantly impacting their ability to function. As our senior population projected to outnumber the minor population (under 18) by 2035, we need to think of a solution, and quick.

So what is CBD? 
​CBD is short for Cannabidiol, is one of over 60 cannabinoids found in the Hemp plant.
Like other cannabinoids, CBD can interact with receptors in our body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which research has shown is the catalyst behind the many effects of the Cannabis plant. It is also the reason psychoactive cannabinoids like Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can induce euphoric or mind-altering effects on the user.

CBD is non-psychoactive; it will not make the user high while continuing to deliver the many health properties of the Cannabis plant. Because these benefits are uniquely aligned with the conditions generally afflicted by seniors, CBD is the solution to improving the health and lives of our senior citizens!

7 Health Benefits of CBD for Seniors

1. CBD can help manage pain
CBD's ability to alleviate a condition that nearly every senior deals with―pain and inflammation.
With nearly half of the senior population in the United States suffering from Arthritis and 75–85% of seniors suffering from chronic pain―this is, unfortunately, a common problem for most seniors in America.

​Studies have shown that CBD can reduce inflammation and alleviate pain from conditions such as Arthritis, Joint Pain, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). By activating various receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, experts have found that patients treated with CBD experienced a "clinically significant reduction" in pain-related symptoms with little to no adverse side effects. As a natural alternative to traditional pain medications, CBD creates a compelling case for health care professionals and senior caregivers.

2. CBD promotes bone health
As our bodies naturally age, we endure a condition known as Osteoporosis. During Osteoporosis, our bones experience a loss of vital minerals and become fragile and brittle, making them more prone to breaking. Because of this, seniors can experience severe pain and fractures if they have a fall. With falls as the number one cause of death for men over the age of 60, and 33% of women and 25% of men older than 50 suffering from osteoporotic fractures, bone health is a severe issue for the older generation.

In addition to reducing inflammation and promoting cell repair, research has shown that the cannabinoids like CBD can help strengthen the bones and even promote the healing process if a fracture does occur.
While additional clinical trials will be needed to determine the viability of this application for the masses, the results thus far are auspicious.

3. CBD can improve quality of sleep
Sleep disorders like insomnia are a condition suffered by individuals of every age; they are widespread for seniors. Experts suggest that this is due to the shift in sleeping patterns as one gets older, along with the chemical imbalance caused by medical conditions and prescription medication.

Because sleep is the period that our body flushes out toxins and restores itself, conditions that prevent sleep are incredibly harmful to seniors.
To alleviate their sleeping disorders, most seniors will turn to sleep medications. While these may temporarily solve one problem, they create an even bigger problem in the long run.

By combatting the conditions that are causing sleeping disorders, such as stress, anxiety, restlessness, and general unbalance in the body, CBD can calm the user and naturally promote a healthier sleep problem for seniors. More importantly, it can prevent the need to take harmful sleeping medications.

4. CBD can combat addiction
Studies have shown that CBD can not only alleviate conditions that often involve harmful medication, but it can also help combat the dependency on that medication.

Findings from a 2018 study revealed that CBD could help combat addiction by preventing relapses. In the study, researchers found that after administering CBD once a day for seven days, patients no longer displayed "addictive behaviors," and it deterred the patient from relapsing for five months. As seniors decide to switch from harmful medications to natural plant relief, CBD can help combat and alleviate the withdrawal and relapsing behaviors that will arise during this process.

5. CBD can improve heart health
According to the American College of Cardiology, heart disease is the most common condition amongst older adults and the #1 cause of death for this age group.

Cardiac dysfunction is made manageable with CBD Millions of Americans suffer from various cardio-related illnesses and conditions, with heart problems continuing to be one of the leading causes of death in the developed world. While this unfortunate trend shows no sign of abating anytime soon, it is growing increasingly apparent that CBD treatments can make cardiac dysfunction more manageable for the patients who must grapple with it.

That is according to one study, at least, which speaks highly of the healing power of CBD when it comes to solving cardiac dysfunction and helping patients deal with oxidative-nitrosative stress. Patients who continue to doubt the healing abilities of CBD oil should thoroughly review said studies and the opinion of a growing body of medical experts who are increasingly championing medicinal cannabis. 

Based on the research from recent studies, CBD may be an effective and natural treatment for high blood pressure. A 2017 study treated ten men with one 600 mg dose of CBD and found that it reduced the resting blood pressure of the subjects. In this same study, researchers also administered stress tests to determine the effects CBD had on the subject's stress response and found that the subject has exhibited a lower blood pressure increase than average.

In addition to reducing high blood pressure, studies found that the antioxidant properties of CBD may help reduce cardiac inflammation and can deter cell death caused by oxidative stress.

The researchers in charge of the study believed that the results "strongly suggest that it [CBD] may have great therapeutic potential in the treatment of diabetic complications, and perhaps other cardiovascular disorders, by attenuating oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation, cell death, and fibrosis."

By reducing blood pressure and deterring inflammation and cell death in the heart, CBD can significantly improve overall heart health and serve as a preventive measure against severe health conditions.

6. CBD can deter neurodegenerative diseases
Because CBD can interact with receptors in our brain and central nervous system, experts believe CBD could be a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Multiple Sclerosis. While it is still early to make a conclusive assessment, the studies below have shown some promising results

• 2007 study showing that CBD can reduce the neuroinflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease by attenuating Abeta evoked neuro-inflammatory responses
• 2015 study discussing how cannabinoids can reduce the agitation and aggression of Alzheimer's disease
• 2014 study explaining how CBD can prevent the development of social recognition deficits associated with Alzheimer's Disease
• 2012 study showing how CBD can slow the degenerative process and alleviate the pain and spasms of Multiple Sclerosis
• 2017 study examining the effectiveness of CBD in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and ALS

As more clinical trials are conducted, the evidence will become more and more evident. In the future, CBD could become one of the primary treatment methods for seniors suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.

7. CBD can improve mood and alleviate mood-related disorders
While we all deal with mood swings, as we start to experience the significant changes associated with getting older―like the decline of health, disabilities, or the loss of a loved one―these mood swings can often become significantly intensified.
Prolonged, they can lead to significant health problems, with a high chance of the individual developing a mental illness if they feel that they are disconnected, neglected, isolated, or lonely.
Based on the findings from numerous studies, CBD may help alleviate this condition.

By interacting with the receptors involved in regulating our mood (such as the Serotonin and Adenosine receptors), CBD can alleviate stress, calm the mind, and improve cognitive functions. These three things combined, significantly contribute to its current situation and may have a significant impact on one's mood.

Studies continue to show that CBD can effectively alleviate mood-related disorders.  Over time, this can take a severe toll on their mental, physical, and psychological health.

Seniors everywhere can benefit from CBD, whether it’s an oil or a topical it is always best to speak a medical professional before attempting to self-medicate. Please share your stories and reach out to us with any questions. We have a FAQ page on our site and you can always purchase our organic whole plant product online.